tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66708225830673588452024-03-12T18:03:08.864-04:00It's Not Mental www.ItsNotMental.com<br> Children whose brain is affected by medical/biomedical, neurobiological, metabolic, functional problems, although not of a psychological/emotional origin, may still be diagnosed as what society euphemistically refers to as "mental illness."
Isn't it time to start calling those illnesses what they really are--ILLNESS--same as any other? <strong> <a href="http://noesmental.blogspot.com">(Español)</a></strong>Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17959439801606339439noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-38905702496151094072014-09-06T17:56:00.000-04:002018-01-06T14:45:54.220-05:00Why We Use Nutritional Supplementation for "Mental" IllnessReaders know that I am an avid proponent for the rational, medical use of nutritional supplements, when appropriate, for cases of "mental" illness which are medical, or have, a medical component. And after all, the psychiatric community increasingly is saying that schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other major "mental" illnesses, are actually medical conditions, although I have yet to see many psychiatric facilities treat people there the same way as at regular medical clinics and hospitals. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
As readers of my book know, my family is among the increasing number of families that have "cured" illnesses affecting brain function that had been diagnosed as bipolar disorder and major depression, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Dietary changes along with specific nutritional supplements, and in some cases hormonal medications (such as for thyroid conditions), have been the core of successful treatment. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I used to wonder more about the biological underpinnings of this need, however more recent research into genetic variations leading to such diagnoses have been very revealing. By now, most people are aware of the 2014 blockbuster announcement by researchers (reported in the July 24, 2014, edition of Nature <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v511/n7510/full/nature13595.html" target="_blank">[1]</a>) who have found 108 genetic regions with tiny variations (single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) that were significantly associated with schizophrenia risk (and of course, as other research showed - schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are genetically related). <a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/august2014/08182014schizophrenia.htm" target="_blank">[2]</a> <br />
<br />
It may come as no surprise that <span style="background-color: yellow;">the strongest association detected were with the genes related to immune system function</span>. We have talked before both in my book and on this website about how our immune system relates to brain function and how <span style="background-color: yellow;">our gut is intimately connected to our immune health<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" target="_blank">[3]</a>.</span> In addition, doctors have previously mentioned the role of possible methylation problems in individuals. Indeed, the bottom line here is exactly what I had observed in my own children -- there was no one single "reason" for their illnesses affecting brain function, but rather, "a perfect storm." <br />
<br />
Indeed, a quote from the scientists themselves:<a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/august2014/08182014schizophrenia.htm" target="_blank">[2]</a> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The researchers found overlap between the protein-related functions of some linked common variants and rare variants associated with schizophrenia in other studies. These included genes involved in learning and memory, the machinery controlling calcium ion channels, and communication between neurons via the chemical messenger glutamate.<br />
<br />
“These results underscore that genetic programming affects the brain in tiny, incremental ways that can increase the risk for developing schizophrenia,” says Dr. Thomas Lehner, who heads NIMH’s genomics research branch. “They also validate the strategy of examining both common and rare variation to understand this complex disorder.”</blockquote>
Is it any wonder then, that dietary changes (such as eliminating gluten and dairy, and focusing on organic whole foods), attention to gut health (probiotics), vitamins/mineral/herbal supplementation (including the methylated forms of some B vitamins, and Truehope's EMPowerPlus or Hardy's Daily Essential Nutrients), overall lifestyle changes, and attending to any hormonal deficiencies we may have (such as thyroid<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" target="_blank">[4]</a>), concentrating on sleep<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" target="_blank">[5]</a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/07/sleep-critical-yet-under-addressed.html" target="_blank">[6]</a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/04/sleep-issues-are-being-misdiagnosed-as.html" target="_blank">[7]</a> (See: <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/sleep-timing-of-melatonin-light-dark.html" target="_blank">Sleep- Timing of Melatonin, Light, Dark, & Use of Other Aids</a> for supplements and other treatment ideas), stress <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/stress-and-our-children-how-much-is-too.html" target="_blank">[8]</a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/02/stress-immune-response-and-illness.html" target="_blank">[9]</a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/stress-connection-meeting-hormonal.html" target="_blank">[10]</a>, allergies<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergies-asthma-and-mental-illness.html" target="_blank">[11]</a>, and an emotionally and physically healthy environment, can promote recovery in individuals previously declared to have these supposedly lifelong psychiatric illnesses.<br />
<br />
<b>NEW References:</b> <br />
[1] <i>Nature</i> <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v511/n7510/full/nature13595.html" target="_blank">Biological insights from 108 schizophrenia-associated genetic loci</a> 24 July 2014<br />
[2]<i> NIH Research Matters </i><a href="http://www.nih.gov/researchmatters/august2014/08182014schizophrenia.htm" target="_blank">Over 100 Genetic Sites Tied to Schizophrenia</a> 18 August 2014 <br />
<br />
<b>Related Books</b>:
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=itsnome-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1416549722&asins=1416549722&linkId=e7919e7daf76d248165a30300b9755dd&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=itsnome-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0982805209&asins=0982805209&linkId=76f6f40024153eebf1e7d8a94f12758a&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe>
<bt><span style="font-family: "georgia";"><b><br /></b></span></bt>
<bt>
<span style="font-family: "georgia";"><b>Property of: </b><a href="mailto:Jeanie@ItsNotMental.com" target="_blank">Jeanie Wolfson</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 06 September 2014</span><br />
<br />
</bt>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-63974007188213352522012-10-08T13:42:00.000-04:002014-09-06T18:40:38.520-04:00Getting Started - Diet ChangesPeople do recover from illnesses affecting cognition and mood which get labelled bipolar, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. Many people have had great success with "micronutrient supplementation" such as <a href="http://www.truehope.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">TrueHope</a>'s supplement EMPowerPlus or <a href="http://www.hardynutritionals.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Hardy Nutritionals</a>' Daily Essential Nutrients (DEN) alone, but many others have found that more was needed.<br />
<br />
Oft times, the "more" includes addressing <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">gut issues</a>, systemic yeast, genetic issues around <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/nutrition-genes-and-brain-dysfunctions.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">methylation</a> or <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/brain-health-vitamin-d.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">vitamin D utilization</a>, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">hormonal issues</a>, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">inflammation</a>, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergies-asthma-and-mental-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">allergies</a>, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">dealing with sleep issues</a>, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/02/stress-immune-response-and-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">dealing emotionally with stress and past traumas</a>, changing the <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-health-nutrition-and-epigenetics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">diet and personal environment</a>, and more. (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209&linkCode=as2&tag=itsnome-20" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">See book for more on these topics</a>.)<br />
<br />
In our own family's case, without EMPowerPlus/DEN, my kids' cognition would not have been adequate to even be able to take the next steps necessary on their journey to wellness.
But let's talk about that major step - dietary changes. Everyone is different.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Some people cannot handle corn. Some cannot tolerate any grains or starchy foods while fixing their gut and addressing systemic yeast. (See "<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/12/healing-young-brains-take-home-points.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Healing Young Brains</a>") Many cannot handle <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">gluten</a> and <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">dairy</a>, especially in early stages of gut healing. Artificial colorings have been proven to affect the behavior of many susceptible children, and even the combination of caffeine plus aspartame (considered excitoxins) in most soft drinks have been shown to have "neurotoxic" effects while at the same time being "addictive" in that they can feel momentarily filling, and make a person temporarily feel wonderful.<br />
<br />
The dairy and gluten proteins can be entering the bloodstream without being properly processed, and can create opioid-like molecules to affect brain function. They can be quite addictive and difficult to withdraw from. Withdrawal in some people can cause intense cravings, mood symptoms, and even cold shakes.<br />
<br />
Making dietary changes - getting rid of junky, empty calories and going back to how we actually should eat, can be daunting in today's modern world where food companies have used the best scientific research available to manipulate foods to be as pleasurable and addicting as possible while depriving our bodies of real nutrition. We KNOW we should eat better, but it is like our brains sabotage us. Is it easier, though, when it is our own child's life and mind we are fighting for? (See "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062220845/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062220845&linkCode=as2&tag=itsnome-20" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Hungry for Change</a>" for more on this topic)<br />
<br />
And how do we know what to change? Many people <b><i>start</i></b> with some tests:<br />
<ul>
<li>IgE "Skin-scratch" Tests: See an allergist. </li>
<li>IgA Testing: <a href="http://www.enterolab.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">EnteroLab</a>
</li>
<li>IgG Testing: Note: "ELISA" stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent
Assay which analyzes IgG food antibody profile measuring levels of IgG
antibodies for commonly
offending foods. (There are many IgG tests. These are just a few): <a href="http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCM73001/Food-Safe-Allergy-Blood-Test.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">FoodSafe Allergy Test</a>, <a href="http://www.alcat.com/?gclid=CJ2Q982z_a4CFSWFQAodaGP00Q" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ALCAT</a>, <a href="http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/immune-function/allergix-igg4-food-antibodies-bloodspot-30" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Metametrix</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Casomorphin/Gliadorphin Sensitivity Test</a> (Great Plains Laboratory)</li>
</ul>
People sometimes, after initial elimination of all suspect foods and subsequent healing, will cautiously add back some "IgG positive" foods to verify whether those foods are indeed an issue, or continue to be and issue, for them.<br />
<br />
I was fortunate. With <i>mental HEALTH</i> and determination to be better, our family did change. We all supported each other. (<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/12/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-for.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">See DBT article for more on mental health</a>). <br />
<br />
For those who think eating healthier is "too hard" - actually it is being sick and disabled that is much harder. There are a "gazillion" websites, blogs, forums, and books on the topic.<br />
<br />
I would like to share this helpful information about starting on a gluten and casein (dairy)-free (gf-cf or gf-df) diet from one dedicated mother, Carla R. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Just wanted to offer some tips on how to start the gf-df diet. I was at the end of my rope dealing with my daughter's tantrums and chronic sinus infections (even after sinus surgery) and years of antibiotic use to try to cure them. I decided to try the diet. </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I did it slowly and substituted her sweets first. She didn't object because these are very tasty. She took to chocolate almond milk right away too. Slowly I substituted more and more. We were completely gf-df on the weekends, but she was still buying lunch at school and I didn't know how to approach that switch. Then one day I just talked to her about me replacing all of the school lunches with my version of the same thing. She was open to it. I asked, "When should we do it?" and she said, "how about tomorrow?" Since then she's been 100%.</i></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>It's been a year and a half and she has no objections to it. I've found that I can make a gf-df substitution for whatever is out there -- including mac and cheese, and even lasagna! Summer camp makes me really creative as they have tons food crafts and I substitute gf-df versions for all. It is possible! There are so may good alternatives on the market today. I also subscribe to a magazine called "Living Without" with great ideas and recipes. I found this book to be a great reference to help you start: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592334725/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1592334725&linkCode=as2&tag=itsnome-20" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook, Updated and Revised: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet</a> by Pamela Compart M.D.
</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>When we first went 100% she had a weekend of really bad tantrums, then she was tantrum-free for 10 months. This spring we let her go off the wagon on the diet a few times and the tantrums returned. She's back on the wagon again, but her moods are off and we are having trouble again with the tantrums and other things. I still think the diet makes a big difference. We also discovered that it was the dairy that was causing her chronic nasal congestion and sinus infections.</i></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Since she's been off dairy, NO MORE sinus infections at all!</i></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> I am going to try EmPower next.
</i></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/03/its-not-mental-new-book-about-mothers.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author Interview</a> in the <i>Food-Sensitivity Journal</i> (off-site link) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ItsNotMental" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author page on Facebook</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>More Related Articles (Off-Site):</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Dr. Popper presentation on Diet plus Empower -- titled
"<a href="http://bit.ly/KJwiuy" target="_blank">Nutritional Management of Bipolar Disorder in Adults and Youth</a>"</li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/06/01/health-antioxidant-supplements-treat-autism_n_1561912.html?ref=health-news&ir=Health+News" target="_blank">Antioxidant Supplements May Be Effective Therapy For Classic Autism Symptoms</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of: </b><a href="mailto:Jeanie@ItsNotMental.com" target="_blank">Jeanie Wolfson</a><b> </b><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 07 September 2014</span>
Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-8080116084647696082012-07-25T12:43:00.001-04:002012-10-08T13:31:33.085-04:00Mood Swings, Hearing and Seeing Things, Anxiety - Interview with Recovered AdultsWhat is it like to have years of Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety and/or Schizophrenia and then <b>recover</b>? Most people do not even know it is <b><i>possible</i></b> to <i><b>completely recove</b></i>r from what we are told are life-long illnesses, even after the person has been symptomatic for decades.<br />
<br />
What is it like to be sick? What therapies help in recovery? What kind of strength does it take to do what is necessary to recover? What kind of support does it take from close family members? What helps while the person is still sick and struggling?<br />
<br />
Listen to Helen Woo's radio interview on "Self Aid Success Stories" with the author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a>" including two daughters who had been diagnosed with multiple "mental" illnesses and went on to recover. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
You can <b>download the mp3</b> of the recorded show from Self Aid Success Stories <b><a href="http://toginet.com/podcasts/selfaidsuccessstories/SelfAidSuccessStoriesLIVE_2012-07-18.mp3?type=showpage" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a></b>.<br />
<br />
Or, listen to it from Helen Woo's radio show site: <a href="http://toginet.com/podcasts/selfaidsuccessstories/SelfAidSuccessStoriesLIVE_2012-07-18.mp3?type=showpage" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"><br />http://toginet.com/shows/selfaidsuccessstories</a>
<br />
<br />
For those of you who missed the audio interviews with Jeanie Wolfson on Edin Road Radio (has readings from her book) : <br />
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/03/audio-excerpt-of-book-short-chat-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Part 1: Audio: Child Hears Voices and Has Tactile, Pain Hallucinations</a><br />
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/05/beginning-of-hell-psychosis-and.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Part 2: Beginning of Hell - Psychosis and Hospitalization</a><br />
<br />
Here are three major points you are left to ponder:<br />
<ol>
<li>Why do we not treat "mental illness" as a REAL, COMPLEX, DIVERSE MEDICAL illness with all the medical testing, collaborative, integrative and integratED medical care any other medical illness deserves? </li>
<li>According to some, there is no such thing a "misdiagnosis" in the psychiatric profession since all such diagnoses are based on labels from the DSM for a symptom list matching the symptoms seen in the patient at the time. It does not matter if later the patient's symptoms are found to be from a brain tumor, hormone imbalance, food allergies, Celiac, Lyme, Narcolepsy, or hypothalamic or mitochondrial dysfunction. The label is correct at the time given. Psychiatrists must diagnose from the DSM in order to bill insurance! </li>
<li>The underlying cause(s) of the symptoms will not be determined unless the cause(s) are investigated! </li>
</ol>
<br />
<b>Related Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/03/its-not-mental-new-book-about-mothers.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author Interview</a> (off-site link) </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-book.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About the book</a> (with book reviews, awards, etc)
<b> </b></li>
<li><a href="http://www.facebook.com/ItsNotMental" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author page on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-this-site.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About this site</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Suggested Books</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/music.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Book Music </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Important Topics</a> - Look here for categories such as SLEEP, FOOD, GUT, GENETICS and other MEDICAL issues.</li>
</ul>
<b></b><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 25 July 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-67294462226415487082012-06-16T12:47:00.001-04:002012-06-16T12:55:28.861-04:00Education for Mental Health Practitioners Must Include Our Real-Life Stories!I am pleased to introduce guest writer Nancy Pizzo Boucher. Nancy has extensive education and experience in Special Education, is a NAMI presenter, and the author of two books: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615618081/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615618081" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Replanting Lives Uprooted By Mental Illness, a practical guide for families</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615383203/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615383203" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Getting My Night Vision</a>. (<i>More detailed professional background is at the bottom of this article.)</i><br />
<br />
<hr />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b>Set A Place At The Table For Families And Consumers </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Nancy Pizzo Boucher </div>
<br />
I believe that the future treatment of mental illness will have at its core an understanding and acknowledgment that families and consumers are colleagues in the quest and development of best treatment practices.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Long before my youngest son got sick with a severe mental illness, I had learned through my profession as a teacher in special education how essential the voices of my students and their families were to true progress.<br />
<br />
I have a self appointed mission that I need help accomplishing! It is to bring primary sources of experiences with mental illness - qualitative experiences - into the curriculum of those studying to become practitioners in the field of mental health. Until the qualitative lived experiences of families and those with an illness are considered primary, treatment and healing will be marginalized.<br />
<br />
A progressive step in the educational preparation of students going into the field of mental health should include course readings and discussion from primary sources- from families and consumers.
<br />
<br />
From the study of these primary resources, many good research proposals could emerge, and when carried out lead to some improved best evidence based practices.<br />
<br />
These practices need to incorporate 2 strands of treatment- one focused on strengthening, nurturing and healing of the person who got sick and one focused on education about the illness and its impact and strategies for managing the illness.<br />
<br />
From the beginning, eighteen years ago when Clem had his first psychotic break that impacted his communication and sent him inward for so long, I would keep handing him alternative familiar ways to get out what he had to say. I gave him canvases and journals and paints and pens. What he captured in his art and writing through the years offers a profound look at the experience of getting hit with a mental illness. He has been so brave to be willing and glad to share his very personal and poignant experience in real time as it happened in my recent book “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615618081/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615618081" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Replanting Lives Uprooted By Mental Illness, a practical guide for families</a>”.<br />
<br />
The field of special education has already done the groundwork in this area and could provide good direction in how to build up a person's strengths and interests and incorporate them as the means for teaching to skill deficits/ impact areas.<br />
<br />
I have written two books of our family's journey and I know there are many other quality primary source books out there and available.<br />
<br />
It doesn't matter to me if my books are included in curriculum and study.<br />
<br />
It does matter to me deeply that those with an illness and those who love them are listened to and asked about what they know that can make a difference.<br />
<br />
Thank you for all of your efforts in this large endeavor to make a difference.<br />
<br />
Best.<br />
<br />
<b>Nancy Pizzo Boucher</b><br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615618081&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615383203&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center><br />
<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Professional Background</span></b>
<br />
<ul>
<li>B.A. in Sociology University of Maine</li>
<li>Masters in Special Education, University of Southern Maine </li>
<li>Twenty four years of teaching experience in special education as a behavioral strategist, then a curriculum strategist. </li>
<li>Workshop presenter for district workshops, as well as workshops at Maine Universities.</li>
<li>NAMI: Participant in 2010 NAMI national convention doing a poster presentation.
Member of NAMI Portland, Maine board.
Steering committee member of Voices Of Recovery Speakers’ Bureau out of Portland, Maine. </li>
<li>Author of: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615383203/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615383203" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Getting My Night Vision</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615383203" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615618081/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615618081" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Replanting Lives Uprooted By Mental Illness, a practical guide for families</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615618081" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Other Guest Entries on this site:</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Childhood-onset Schizoaffective - A Medical Doctor's Perspective of the Case</a> (David Marwil, MD)</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/12/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-for.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the Strength to Recover</a> (Lindsey Webster, MSW)</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/01/whole-health-healing.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Whole Health Healing</a> (Tom Potisk, DC) </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/hearing-things-disengaged-panic-attacks.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">When Hearing Things Is Not Schizophrenia</a> (Arna Mathiesen)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Other Related Links:</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Suggested Books</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/music.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not Mental Book Music </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Important Topics</a> </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 16 June 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-80296546728452471592012-05-30T11:41:00.000-04:002014-09-06T18:43:29.736-04:00Beginning of Hell - Psychosis and Hospitalization<br />
What is psychosis like for a child? What is it like for a
parent to have a psychotic child? What do you do when your child
thinks everyone has suddenly become evil and wants to jump from a moving
car, stab herself... and attacks?<br />
<br />
The author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a>" had a follow up guest appearance on Edin Road Radio, reading the end of "The Brewing Storm" and the start of "Hell." She read most of Chapter 18 - "Blindsided" then had a short chat with host Jesse Coffey.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
You can listen to the recorded show on their website (<a href="http://beta.cinchcast.com/edinroad/2012/05/29/author-jeanie-wolfson" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
<br />
For those of you who missed the first episode, you can hear it here: <br />
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/03/audio-excerpt-of-book-short-chat-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Audio: Child Hears Voices and Has Tactile, Pain Hallucinations</a>.
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Related Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/03/its-not-mental-new-book-about-mothers.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author Interview</a> (off-site link) </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-book.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About the book</a> (with book reviews, awards, etc)
<b> </b></li>
<li><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanie-Wolfson-Author-of-Its-Not-Mental/285920394783614" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author page on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-this-site.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About this site</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Suggested Books</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/music.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Book Music </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Important Topics</a> </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 11 July 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-57887022125093399182012-04-21T13:36:00.000-04:002012-04-21T16:49:17.894-04:00Sleep Issues Are Being Misdiagnosed as ADHD and other Mental IllnessesIt was over 3 years ago that I wrote <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-it-adhd-attention-deficit.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Is It ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?</a>, but for some reason in the U.S.A. the psychiatric community is slow to act like the real medical doctors (MDs) they <i>ARE</i>. Many still are not looking for WHY a child is exhibiting symptoms we label "ADHD." Instead, they simply slap on the label itself, which only serves to say, "This child exhibits attentional difficulties and possibly hyperactivity." That simple "mental" illness label, eliminates all their obligation to investigate the true underlying <i>cause</i> of any particular child's symptoms. <br />
<br />
One of the things so many of us have been saying is that SLEEP issues (ranging from sleep apnea to narcolepsy or even just staying up a little too late) can contribute to or even cause psychiatric symptoms that are getting diagnosed as many kinds of "mental illness" ranging from Depression and ADHD to Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia! <br />
<br />
At least even the U.S. mainstream newspapers are starting to warn people that many of these increasingly numerous "ADHD" (and Depression) diagnoses we and our children are getting may actually be manifestations of SLEEP-related issues.
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Our local newspaper recently had an article titled "Sleep Disorders Might Spur ADHD Diagnoses." In fact, according to the research (see <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/16/attention-problems-may-be-sleep-related/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Attention Problems May Be Sleep-Related</a> in the New York Times)
even missing out on a mere 30 minutes per night of needed sleep can result in "ADHD" symptoms. The problems can stem from simply staying up a tad too late or having enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils.<br />
<br />
This is NOT ADHD!!! It is not getting enough good quality sleep! Still, these children, based on behavioral "symptoms" get diagnosed with ADHD and treated with stimulants, which can then create a vicious cycle. After all, the diagnosis of "ADHD" is NOT based on underlying pathology, but rather, on symptoms. <br />
<br />
Dr. Karen Bonuk, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York (see video below about Sleep-disordered breathing) says,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i><b>It's incredible that we don't screen for sleep problems the way we screen for vision and hearing.</b></i>" </blockquote>
Back at the beginning of 2011 (see <a href="http://www.thedailyeaston.com/wellness/childrens-sleep-disorders-can-go-undiagnosed" target="_blank">Children's Sleep Disorders Can Go Undiagnosed</a>) Dr. Lewis Kass, MD warned: <span class="postbody"> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b><span class="postbody">Research began trickling in the late 1990s that
demonstrated a clear link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and
neurocognitive deficits. Research
shows that 15 to 65 percent of children with Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have underlying sleep disorders.
</span></b><b>Among the most common causes of sleep problems in children are
obstructive sleep apnea, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergies-asthma-and-mental-illness.html" target="_blank">asthma</a>, restless legs syndrome,
gastroesophageal reflux or narcolepsy.</b></i> </blockquote>
And it isn't just "mental" illness symptoms that sleep issues can create. Missing out on quality sleep even increases risk of diabetes, which in turn increases risk of a host of related problems! (See: <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/16/2153395/beyond-drowsy-too-little-sleep.html#storylink=misearch" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Beyond drowsy, too little sleep ups diabetes risk</a>.)<br />
<br />
Readers of my book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a> already know this. They know how unbelievable it was that nobody even thought to suggest a sleep study for my little girl until we got a new GP when she was sixteen years old, and yet her sleep issues had begun in infancy! They also know how doctors insisted even her symptoms of a sleep disorder called "<a href="http://klsfoundation.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Kleine Levin Syndrome</a>" must be "Depression" and had us raise an antidepressant medication. Depression was not the <i>ILLNESS</i>. <br />
<br />
And... How bad can these symptoms get?<br />
Listen here! <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/03/audio-excerpt-of-book-short-chat-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Audio: Child Hears Voices and Has Tactile, Pain Hallucinations</a>.<br />
<br />
Note that when those psychotic symptoms (in the audio) occurred, the child was on a stimulant for a supposed "ADHD" she did not really have. What is even more disturbing is the use (and abuse) of these stimulants become self-perpetuating since adults think they are no big deal since, after all, "they are given to children, so they MUST be <b>safe</b>, right?"
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="340" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nx-Y6FfaqE4" width="620"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
<b>Suggested Books:</b> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">(CLICK HERE)</a><br />
<br />
<b>Here are some important related links:</b>
<br />
<ul compact="compact">
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Abnormal Sleep as a <i>Cause</i> of Mental Symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/sleep-timing-of-melatonin-light-dark.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Sleep: Timing of Melatonin, Light, Dark, and Use of Other Aids</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/07/sleep-critical-yet-under-addressed.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Sleep: A Critical Yet Under-addressed Component of Health</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/05/too-often-doctors-overlook-narcolepsy/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Too Often, Doctors Overlook Narcolepsy</a> (Off-site Link) by Jane E. Brody March 5, 2012</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Some <b><i>Known</i></b> Medical causes of 'Mental' Symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-it-adhd-attention-deficit.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">From a Doctor's Perspective - About "It's Not <i>Mental</i>"</a></li>
<li><a href="http://klsfoundation.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Kleine Levin Syndrome Foundation</a> (Off-Site Link) </li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 21 April 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-24517494190540360292012-03-05T15:13:00.001-05:002012-12-02T18:04:57.711-05:00Audio: Child Hears Voices and Has Tactile, Pain Hallucinations.An <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edinroad/2012/03/01/author-jeanie-wolfson" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">audio excerpt</a> from the book "It's Not <i>Mental</i>"is on Internet radio (Edin Road - 1 March 2012). The excerpt is read by the author, Jeanie Wolfson, followed by a short chat with the host, Jesse Coffey<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The author gives a little background, then reads the section about when she and her husband Greg first realized that YES - their wonderful little girl really might indeed have a "mental illness"
in spite of the fact they seemed to be in deep denial. She was horribly hallucinating. She was not only hearing things and seeing things, she was feeling things, too! <br />
<br />
The "Voices" were no longer just in her head. She began having more than just audio hallucinations.<br />
<br />
Yet even after
facing irrefutable evidence she was very sick, you'll see... they still
were confused, scared, and grasping for reasons. This excerpt is from The section, "The Brewing Storm" right before, "Hell." <br />
<br />
Their daughter had tactile, olfactory, gustatory, audio, visual, and pain hallucinations - i.e. hallucinations involving most of her senses - of touch, smell, taste, hearing, sight, and the sense of pain. <br />
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edinroad/2012/03/01/author-jeanie-wolfson"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.adobe.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" height="105" id="153568" name="153568" width="210"><param name="movie" value="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf?file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fedinroad%2F2012%2F03%2F01%2Fauthor-jeanie-wolfson%2Fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&bufferlength=5&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/flashplayercallback.aspx" />
<param name="quality" value="high" />
<param name="wmode" value="transparent" />
<param name="menu" value="false" />
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" />
<embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogtalkradio.com%2Fedinroad%2F2012%2F03%2F01%2Fauthor-jeanie-wolfson%2fplaylist.xml&autostart=false&shuffle=false&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=210&height=105&volume=80&corner=rounded" width="210" height="105" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false" name="153568" id="153568" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object></div>
<div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center;">
Listen to <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">internet radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edinroad" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">EdinRoad</a> on Blog Talk Radio</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~~ <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edinroad/2012/03/01/author-jeanie-wolfson" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Here is the DIRECT LINK</a> (The EdinRoad website has show information, <a href="http://www.edinroad.com/authors/jeaniewolfson.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">author information</a> and more)<b> </b> ~~~~</div>
<br />
<b>Here is PART 2 from May 2012: <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/05/beginning-of-hell-psychosis-and.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Beginning of Hell - Psychosis and Hospitalization</a></b><br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
<br />
<b>Related Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/03/its-not-mental-new-book-about-mothers.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author Interview</a> (off-site link) </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-book.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About the book</a> (with book reviews, awards, etc)
<b> </b></li>
<li><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeanie-Wolfson-Author-of-Its-Not-Mental/285920394783614" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author page on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/about-this-site.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">About this site</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Suggested Books</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Important Topics</a> </li>
</ul>
<b>Mental vs Medical:</b><br /><ul>
</ul>
<ul compact="compact">
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/hearing-things-disengaged-panic-attacks.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">SSCD: When Hearing Things Is Not Schizophrenia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Medical Causes-Partial List</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: Cut Out The Casein (Doped with Dairy) </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Thyroid Connection</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Abnormal Sleep?</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/07/sleep-critical-yet-under-addressed.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Sleep is Critical</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/stress-connection-meeting-hormonal.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Stress Connection </a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/mitochondrial-dysfunction-psychiatric.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Mitochondrial Dysfunction</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 02 December 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-24172338493068068162012-01-20T12:10:00.000-05:002012-01-20T12:25:40.219-05:00Whole Health HealingI was only slightly surprised that some speakers at integrative medical conferences, and some writers of whole-body healing, had their start in the chiropractic profession. After all, their skills are often viewed as “alternative” (especially by orthopedic surgeons, in my experience. Admittedly, to me, I was very glad to have such an “alternative” to the back surgery my orthopedist insisted was absolutely necessary!).<br />
<br />
People who manipulate the body, whether by an Osteopath (DO—similar to an MD) or a Chiropractor, are immersed in the body’s own ability to heal itself.<br />
<br />
Readers of my book and blog know very well that my family uses Integrative medicine for both managing chronic ailments, and natural techniques (such as diet changes, sleep hygiene, exercise, and supplements) for healing. We helped the “mind” by helping the body.<br />
<br />
Coming from the chiropractic profession, we have a guest writer who would like to share his view on the use of natural remedies: Dr. Tom Potisk—author of the book “Whole Health Healing” and owner of the website of the same name: <a href="http://www.wholehealthhealing.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Whole Health Healing</a>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><hr />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>Natural Remedies Come from Whole Health Healing</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Tom Potisk, DC </div>
<br />
Natural remedies are increasingly being sought by people with a variety of chronic illnesses like psoriasis, lupus, asthma, hypertension and diabetes.<br />
<br />
Sadly, most people confuse the source of the remedy, expecting there to be a natural magic like potion or tablet that will solve their problem. This “outside-in” approach is the typical conventional medicine attempt.<br />
<br />
True natural remedies come from an ‘inside – out“ approach; meaning that we are each gifted with our own inner doctor that can heal us provided the doctor gets what it needs to do it’s job. The remedy is more of a release. It’s not a cure all for every malady, but an approach worth perusing in most non-emergency and non-crisis situations.<br />
<blockquote>
“<i>The witch doctor succeeds for the same reason all the rest of us doctors succeed. Each patient carries his own doctor within him. The patients come to us not knowing that truth. We are at our best when we give the doctor that resides within each patient the chance to go to work.</i>” – Dr Albert Schweitzer</blockquote>
More specifically I call this holistic approach whole health healing. Our anatomy and physiology is complex. It makes a lot of sense to sometimes back away from trying to figure out its seemingly endless intricacies and instead focus on giving it proper fuel, rest, and alignment – restoring whole health.<br />
<br />
For over 25 years I worked tirelessly as a holistic family doctor. What energized me was watching patients improve and being in near constant awe of the human bodies self healing ability. It’s truly a gift from God; sadly often overlooked or at least unappreciated.<br />
<br />
I recommend anybody with any chronic illness, be it a physical malady or a mental one, to consider taking a whole health healing approach for relief or resolution of their problem. If you are currently under conventional medical care, ask about attempting at least a trial period of this alternative. Don’t expect approval; but do demand cooperation.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i><b>- Dr. Tom Potisk is an award winning holistic family doctor and bestselling author of “Whole Health Healing: The Budget Friendly Natural Wellness Bible for All Ages.”</b> </i></div>
<br />
<br />
<center> <a href="http://www.wholehealthhealing.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">www.wholehealthhealing.com</a>
</center><center><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1595980695&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>Related Entries:</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative Approach</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/12/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-for.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the Strength to Recover</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric Medications</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part 1</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part 2</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
Property of <a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #3333ff;">www.ItsNotMental.com </a>
<br />
Last Updated: 20 January 2012Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-29619750749082277202011-12-30T15:11:00.001-05:002012-04-20T14:43:51.128-04:00Healing Young Brains - Take Home Points from a 2011 Medical ConferenceWhat better way to end the year, than to look back at the awesome 3-day medical conference I recently attended, titled “Healing Young Brains.” It was hosted by the nonprofit <a href="http://www.themidwayfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Midway Foundation for Integrative Medicine</a> headed by <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" target="_blank">James Roach, MD</a>. I was pleased to see doctors from all over the country, but unfortunately not many psychiatrists (there were <i>some</i>, though!) I was also approached by two people who had actually read my book. That was a pleasant surprise!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I cannot give a synopsis of the conference, as each presenter gave over an hour of densely-packed information, each of which was itself just a "synopsis" of the material! But each person comes away from such an even with their own set of salient points that stuck in their minds. Here are the top twenty points from the conference that stuck with me. Here-and-there, I've included some books and, in some cases, just some helpful links.<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Start with the gut. Heal the gut</b>. The younger the better. At birth is best. Then keep it healthy. It is not just because the mothers have used antibiotics, but the babies do, too. (See <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a>.) Because of these gut problems we get increasing number of food and environmental sensitivities. (Klaire Labs has a probiotic safe for infants.) <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS INFORMED CONSENT</b>.... as long as doctors do not inform the patient of alternatives (i.e. using an integratED, IntegratIVE, Functional approach – which is what I advocate in my book). <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>An <b>Integrative</b> approach <b>is not</b> really <b>“alternative”</b> since it uses state-of-the-art testing and treatment. (See: <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" target="_blank">Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative Approach</a>)<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0345494512&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
</li>
<li><b>Food and environmental allergies</b> can affect any, and multiple, organs and body systems. In one individual we may see hives. In another we get mood changes and aggression. In another it may be artherosclerosis and osteoarthritis. If a baby or child screams for hours, suspect food allergies/sensitivities. The IgE skin scratch test is insufficient for this. You really need to do a food elimination diet (if breast feeding, it is the mother who must do this). Our jails and juvenile justice system are probably full of individuals with food and chemical sensitivities.<br /><br />Here are some symptoms (aside from the obvious stuffy noses and dark circles under the eyes) to look out for in the very young that I found particularly interesting:<br /><ul>
<li><b>En-Utero:</b> Excessive Hiccupping, Exc<span class="text_exposed_show">essive Kicking</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>Infancy:</b> Screaming (not crying) for hours, Frowning, Excessive drooling, Head banging, "wiggly" Extreme diaper rash</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>Toddlers:</b> Clucking throat sound, Leg aches, Easy gag reflex.</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>Children:</b> Screeching, ticcing, acting bizarrely and intermittently silly or aggressive, making animal sounds such as whinnying like a horse, or barking like a dog.
</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</span></li>
<li>From the beloved physician, <b><a href="http://www.drrapp.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Doris Rapp MD</a></b>, author of “Is This Your Child?” “Our Toxic World”, and a few others (see books below): To stop (ease) a reactivity happening to food give baking soda (1/4 tsp in a glass of water). This alkalinity helps. She also gave instructions pertaining to foods that quickly cause a behavioral reaction (after
the fact that we should have antihistamines and asthma medication on
hand if that's what has been needed in the past):
<blockquote>
<i><b>". . . One to two teaspoons of baking soda will often stop the reaction to food within 15 minutes."</b> </i></blockquote>
And by the way, keeping the body alkaline with diet may help prevent/stall the spread of cancer. <br /><br />Another antidote is a greatly diluted drop (of the “right” dilution) of the item that the child just reacted to. This can be done with a baby and the mother's breast milk. That dilution method does not help with gluten sensitivity. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>If one individual in a family is found to have a problem with a food, it is likely others do too, but possibly affecting different body parts/systems (see #4) <center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0984154302&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1880509083&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>Some individuals with a problem with gluten need to get off ALL GRAINS... and dairy. In fact, that is sometimes recommended as a first line treatment for many individuals. <b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">GET OFF ALL GRAINS and DAIRY.</b>A Paleo Diets does not mean heavy in meat, but rather, good organic nutrition for the brain for the brain and body. It feeds mitochondria. Think <i><b>lots</b></i> of fresh organic green leafy and cruciferous, sulfur-rich vegetables, and berries, with a lesser amount of seafood and grass-fed meats. What does not appear in a paleo-type diet is processed foods and grains.
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0954852028&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982175086&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
</li>
<li><b>Prevention</b>: Since each generation is affected <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/05/epigenetics.html" target="_blank">epigenetically</a> en-utero by the mothers (who were themselves affected epigenetically by their mothers while they were en-utero), the next generation may be sicker even than this generation of children are. To truly help the children we must change medical practices and help the young future mothers -- even before they get pregnant. They need medical, emotional, nutritional, WHOLE-istic care. And while pregnant, they need to be truly nurtured. We need to change the way we do childbirth. Have childbirth be more natural in a relaxed, calm, subdued, sensual, nurturing environment. And let the umbilical cord stop pulsing before cutting it. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>It is wrong to look at nutrients individually. Giving one vitamin can affect the usage of another, and that one affects another which affects another.In some cases, serum testing of nutrients is not very accurate. Lymphocyte testing is better (I don't think he mentioned the name <a href="http://www.spectracell.com/micronutrient-testing-comprehensive-nutritional-panel/" target="_blank">Spectracell Labs</a>, but I know they do such testing.) <b>See NOTES at bottom</b>. The MD who gave that talk, Dr. Alan Gaby, wrote a 900-plus page medical book on nutrition. 22 chapters of that book has information on "psychiatric" effects. He mentioned<b> EMPowerPlus</b> in a positive light saying there have been 12 research studies on it. To find these research studies look for the keyword "<b>micronutrients</b>." (Here is a<b> <a href="http://www.truehope.com/truehope_bipolar_disorder_research_empowerplus_1.aspx%20" target="_blank">link to research articles</a></b> that have been published on it.) <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>Negative (ie showing no benefit) <b>food and nutritional studies are often flawed</b> as they eliminate only one food or class of foods at a time, or add in only one nutrient at a time (nutrients are synergistic). Sometimes they use a biologically active placebo (such as using olive oil capsule as a “placebo”), and also, a lab setting is not always indicative of how a person is responding in the stress and bustle of the real world. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Sugar</b> actually <i>can</i> trigger “ADHD” symptom in some children. 76% of children diagnosed with ADHD, in one study, had an abnormal glucose tolerance test. They may have “reactive hypoglycemia.” Abnormal insulin metabolism itself (hyperinsulinemia) can trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms). <b>Iron deficiency</b> can also have neuropsychiatric effects.<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>The FDA is picking and choosing studies</b>. In fact, even when a CEO of a pharmaceutical company (I forget which) wrote about the dangers found from one of their drugs, the FDA chose to ignore it. Many negative (damaging to a product) studies never get published so they aren't even on the public government database. However, due to the Freedom of Information Act, if you know what to ask for, you can get these other studies. Much of the wonderful research about nutrition does not get published. Newspapers ignore great studies, publish flawed studies (sometimes ignoring 9 good ones to publish the results of one negative, flawed one) and will sometimes even publish headlines directly conflicting with conclusions of studies. <center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B005ERQLS4&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Sensory Integration Processing</b> problems need to be addressed as early in life as possible. The window closes at about age 9. After that, it can be helped, but not as much and not as easily. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Some people really are sensitive to EMFs (Electro magnetic frequency).</b> Some schools are hot spots for EMF and it isn't just your child reacting. Turn off routers at night. At least have the bedrooms as EMF-free as possible. <center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591202833&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B003RLOBOK&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Herbals</b>. They do not act directly on the symptoms. They help body systems, downregulating or upregulating... they help the body do what it does. The herbals themselves don't don't heal the body. They help the body heal itself. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>Here's interesting tid-bit about <b>omega 3s</b> and which ratio of EPA:DHA is best. <b style="background-color: yellow;">DHA grows brain.</b> Babies need it. <b>Some doctors advocate for giving supplements with JUST the DHA</b>! But what about the EPA for mood stability? That is fine, but may also be wrong for some people, because some people need the GLA added to the mix. <b>Look for EPA:DHA:GLA ratio of 4:3:2</b> (I have now added such a product, "Beyond Essential Fats" by Natura to my list on <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/02/fish-oil-and-favorite-brands-of-omega-3.html" target="_blank">"Fish Oil": $$ and Favorite Brands of Omega-3 Supplements</a> and also to my list of <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/11/hard-to-find-but-commonly-needed.html" target="_blank">Hard-to-Find but Commonly Needed Hypoallergenic Supplements</a>.
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>Eat some <b>protein</b> at every meal. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>With a possible few exceptions, we should eat at least some meat, at least some times, and this advice goes even if we are vegetarian... eat some meat - it doesn't have to be red meat. <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li><b>Eggs</b> are an excellent source of needed protein and fats, but they should come from what I call “happy hens.” <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
<li>A few presenters did talk about techniques not backed by extensive scientific research and those techniques were referred to, (affectionately?) as “woo woo.” <div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</li>
</ol>
<b>NOTES: </b><br />
I know I said the top 20, but I just need to mention a few random tidbits to give a flavor of the complexity of the human body - no wonder psychiatrists prefer to hand out antipsychotics!<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Zn (Zinc)</b>: Large doses of folic acid early in pregnancy can then cause zinc deficiency resulting in neurological issues in the infant. When taking zinc, we need copper. Growth hormone receptors are upregulated by zinc. </li>
<li><b>Fe (iron)</b>: What can look like "anemia" (low iron) may actually be a deficiency in B6 and zinc. Raising ferritin levels (when low) can increase mood and improve sleep. An inflammatory process in the body can raise serum ferritin (iron) level. That does NOT mean the person has too much Fe! </li>
<li><b>Mg (Magnesium)</b>: Needed for phosphorylation of B6 & B1. When taking Mg, we also need thiamine.</li>
<li><b>DHA</b>: Too much EPA may interfere with DHA. DHA is the most important. But taking DHA can lead to poor vitamin E status. If we look at vitamin E, we also need to look at selenium, and from selenium, to vitamin C.... we need balance. </li>
<li><b>Dopamine and Dopamine receptors</b>: require multiple nutrients such as zinc, iron, B6, and vitamin C.</li>
<li><b>Metformin</b> (commonly used by people on psych meds due to the meds causing weight gain and type 2 diabetes) can cause a deficiency in B12.</li>
<li><b>Inositol</b>: Can be effective for Bipolar, panic attacks, and OCD, not so much for psychosis.
Dr. Scott Shannon recommends <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/12/dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt-for.html" target="_blank">DBT</a> for all patients (CHILDREN!) with bipolar symptoms.</li>
<li><b>Depression</b>: Light therapy is not just for SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) but for anyone with an affective disorder. Check vitamin D status! <b>St. John's Wort</b> is sometimes used in a 900mg dose for children as young as 8 for MAJOR depression (not just mild). </li>
<li><b>Bacopa</b> affects the cholinergic system, having a calming effect on the brain. It can help <b>ADHD</b>, along with <b>American Ginsen</b>g extract.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=157954682X&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
<br />
Property of <a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #3333ff;">www.ItsNotMental.com </a><br />
Last Updated: 30 January 2012
<br />
<br />Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-1179876740011282402011-12-11T18:43:00.001-05:002014-02-21T10:08:10.086-05:00Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for the Strength to RecoverPractice with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helped one family member cope with bipolar symptoms. Just as with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" target="_blank">my younger daughter</a>, these symptoms were <b>not</b> due to psychological problems, but to be successful and move forward with her life, and to be able to do what she needed to do to get better in spite of the symptoms, she had to essentially be stronger and more mentally healthy than a person without bipolar disorder. Eventually, this family member was no longer diagnosed with any mental health problem at all! (The same as my younger daughter!) <br />
<br />
Although DBT is best done with both individual and group therapy with a therapist who specializes in the technique, my daughter used self-directed workbooks (included at the bottom) and assistance from her individual psychotherapist. Prior to starting the DBT, she had already been using the technique of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to deal with the manifestation of anxiety.<br />
<br />
We have a guest poster writing about DBT, Lindsey Webster. Ms. Webster has been a rehabilitation counselor for 15 years and owns the site <a href="http://www.mastersincounseling.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Masters in Counseling</a>. The site serves as a great resource for new students looking to find all the information they need about obtaining a Masters degree in Counseling. She has a Master's degree in Social Work.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<hr />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>The Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Those with Anxiety Disorders </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Lindsey Webster, MSW</div>
<br />
In recent years, more research has been done to verify the benefits of combining dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for those with anxiety disorders. There is a large amount of evidence to support the theory that using both CBT and DBT to treat anxiety disorders is a better approach than just using CBT alone.<br />
<br />
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was originally developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder. This type of therapy uses the concepts of acceptance and mindfulness to help give the patient a better understanding of their disorder in the present moment. The concept of mindfulness (or awareness) was taken from Buddhist meditative practices that have been used for thousands of years. .<br />
<br />
Marsha Linehan, the psychology researcher who developed the dialectical behavior system of therapy, noted in her research that the chronically suicidal patients she studied required unconditional acceptance, because they had been raised in an environment which offered little acceptance. For this reason, therapists who use DBT want the patient to view them as an ally in all things. When the patient tells the therapist about their feelings and behaviors, the therapist accepts those feelings and behaviors while, at the same time, showing the patient a better way to view and handle the situations that create those unsettling emotions and actions. .<br />
<br />
The goal of being mindful in DBT is aided by the patient noting and recording all issues that arise during the week in a diary. These issues are discussed during their next counseling session. Debilitating behaviors are listed in order of severity, with self-injurious and suicidal behaviors first, behaviors interfering with treatment second and quality of life issues third. A patient should work at improving the most austere behaviors first before improving less serious behaviors. .<br />
<br />
There is also a group therapy component to DBT. The group meets to learn and discuss skills that are organized into four modules: core mindfulness skills, emotion regulation skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills and distress tolerance skills. <br />
<br />
When combined with cognitive behavior therapy (the most common type of therapy used for the treatment of anxiety disorders), dialectical behavior therapy acts as additional support and teaches the patient to always be aware of their emotions and actions and to accept and tolerate stress. .<br />
<br />
Both CBT and DBT provide patients who suffer from anxiety disorders an opportunity to talk about their disorder in an accepting environment. It is important to note that some studies have shown that talking about your anxiety (and trying to find reasons why and how you can overcome it) can be just as effective, if not more effective, as taking an anti-anxiety medication. For this reason, it is almost necessary that those who suffer from an anxiety disorder combine some form of cognitive behavior and/or dialectical behavior therapy with medicinal treatments. Using both counseling and medicine will ensure the best chance of improvement for the patient. <br />
<br />
<i>Lindsey Webster has been a rehabilitation counselor for 15 years and also owns the site <a href="http://www.mastersincounseling.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Masters in Counseling</a>. She likes to write about different topics related to counseling and careers. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1572245131&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1572243635&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1572243090&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1572246979&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br /><b>For A Child:</b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1572246499&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0767914929&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1931282927&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Related Entries:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative Approach</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;">Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric Medications</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part 1</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part 2</a>
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center>
<br />
<br />
Property of <a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #3333ff;">www.ItsNotMental.com </a><br />
Last Updated: 28 December 2011Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-76797085098478436242011-11-28T11:28:00.001-05:002011-12-16T22:22:05.202-05:00Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative ApproachThe book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i>: finding innovative support and medical treatment for a child diagnosed with a severe mental illness</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
takes the reader on our journey from puzzlement over our gentle younger daughter’s bizarre mood and schizophrenic symptoms, to despair, through grief and anger, and into a future better than we had hoped. Along the way, we were helped by family, doctors, nurses, therapists, and friends. Once we had her “fixed,” readers of this website know we could then address the older daughter’s “bipolar disorder” in a more integrated fashion—one which looked beyond the symptoms themselves.<br />
<br />
One of the innovative, integrative medical doctors who helped my younger daughter heal is Dr. James Roach (Dr. Jim, as some of his patients affectionately call him). He was recently featured in our local newspaper: <a href="http://www.kentucky.com/2011/11/14/1959365/midway-physician-takes-an-integrative.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Midway physician takes an integrative approach to help his patients</a>. (This link may not stay around long).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Readers may recall the point in our story (in college) when the younger daughter's last psychiatric symptoms were gone, and she no longer needed psychiatric medications. It was then that I turned in puzzlement to Dr. Roach and sputtered out a BUT... "...but then where is the mental illness?" If she no longer needed antipsychotics, then where was her <i>psychotic</i> illness? His response was a simple, "Where indeed?"<br />
<br />
He wrote thusly about “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
”: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>“<b>Wolfson’s persevering drive to unravel her daughter’s debilitating ‘mental illness’ ultimately reveals its diverse, resolvable biomedical origin—an important truth for psychiatry. This is a vital book for parents and medical professionals alike!</b>”</i>
</blockquote>
Integrative therapy is not “alternative medicine” although for some individuals, some treatments we call alternative may help (see note at bottom).<br />
<br />
Modern psychiatry only gives lip service to their mantra about giving “individualized care,” and insurance often will not cover the 3-pronged treatment approach advocated - biological, social, and psychological. The only "biological" paid for is throwing random brain-chemical medications at symptoms, and the spiritual, and emotional care is woefully lacking. We already know the social net is lacking and many loved-ones are incarcerated instead of receiving the wrap-around medical and social care someone with dementia might receive. If there is any doubt about that, just read this heart-wrenching account from this one loving parent: <a href="http://changementalhealthlawsinky.blogspot.com/2011/10/insanity-definition-of-kentuckys-mental.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Insanity - the Definition of Kentucky's Mental Health Laws at Work</a><br />
<br />
Integrative medicine, as practiced by the best physicians, truly delivers. Dr. Roach hit the proverbial nail on the head for why my daughters suffered needlessly for so long with ‘mental’ illnesses that had “resolvable biomedical origins” when he stated about the medical professions (this supposedly includes “psychiatry”): <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“<i><b>Maybe we specialize too much. You need a general in charge of everything who can look at the whole body.</b></i>”
</blockquote>
He uses the word “integrative” to describe the style of medicine that melds high technology with extensive counseling and testing. The tests and treatments are often more precise and detailed than those found in some specialty clinics, and a good integrative doctor (any good doctor, in my opinion) has ample time to spend with each patient.
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i><b>There are answers. You just have to look for them. It takes time. But why don’t you at least look and see?</b></i>”</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>“<span style="background-color: yellow;">Why don’t you at least look and see?</span>”
</b></div>
<br />
That is the question voiced in the epilogue of my book, and what I fervently advocate for-- for doctors who see patients with psychiatric symptoms to look beyond those symptoms to what truly ails them. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Books:</b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0307452425&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0916764206&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416549722&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Articles:</b>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric Medications </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">A Medical Doctor's Perspective of One Case of bipolar/schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Some known medical causes of psychiatric symptoms</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Thyroid Connection</a></li>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">
</a>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: "Crazy" From Casein?? (Doped with Dairy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her Meds-Part 1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar - No Meds - Part 2 (Getting Better)</a></li>
</ul>
<b>Direct link to </b><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/important-links-to-help-our-children.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">List of Important Resources</a>. <br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Note:</b> <i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We call some treatments "alternative" such as use of herbals (which merely enhance the body's own defenses and healing powers), and nutritionals such as <a href="http://www.truehope.com/" target="_blank">micronutrient supplements</a>, even without knowing in advance the patient needs the extra nutrients. But since even these treatments are backed by <a href="http://www.truehope.com/truehope_bipolar_disorder_research_empowerplus_1.aspx" target="_blank">numerous research</a> and in some cases 1000+ years of practice (it is very difficult to have non-pharmaceutical research funded and <b>fairly</b>
evaluated and reported on in a world dominated by the muscles of a
trillion dollar pharmaceutical industry) perhaps they should not be
considered "alternative." Additionally, these "alternative" treatments, including meditation, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback, and dietary changes are usually used in conjunction with other changes. Perhaps people call it "alternative" purely because
insurance companies do not pay for this, and therefore, many
psychiatrists do not suggest it. Indeed, many psychiatrists do not even
know about any treatments other than those taught to them by the
pharmaceutical companies themselves. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Property of <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">www.ItsNotMental.com </a></b><br />
<b>Last Updated: 28 November 2011</b>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-73858346667440077022011-11-13T10:04:00.001-05:002012-10-13T14:24:30.839-04:00Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric MedicationsIn <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a> we discussed
how to wrap our minds around the fact that many individuals, with
alternative, complementary, functional, and/or biomedical therapies no
longer have severe, persistent, and supposedly life-long symptoms of Bipolar,
Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Major Depressive Disorder and Anxiety--and they
are NOT on psychiatric medications.
<br />
<br />
"Recovered" is not a part of the usual paradigm of those involved in severe mental illness. Only "in recovery" is.<br />
<br />
So what exactly <i>IS</i> "recovered"? And what is a real-life example of this? <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I like this definition from <a href="http://recoveryfromschizophrenia.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovery From Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Question</b>: <b><i style="color: #741b47;">What does it mean to recover?
</i></b><br />
<b>Answer</b>: <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Full recovery means having regained a meaningful life, no longer having a mental health disability, and no longer being in need of any sort of
mental health treatment.</span>
This definition of “full recovery” should be contrasted with the definitions used by some who suggest that recovery should be thought of as learning how to have a better life, while continuing to be mentally ill and needing treatment such as [psychiatric] medications.
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">here is a simple case</b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> of how it works in real life.</span>
<br />
You hopefully have already read the more complicated real-life case of my younger daughter in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i> (the book)</a> (discussed later in this entry).<br />
<br />
My older daughter had intractable, teen-onset treatment-resistant, ultradian cycling Bipolar Disorder for 13 years. She had been in and out of psychiatric hospitals. She is now fully recovered (see: <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part1</a> and <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part2</a>.)
<br />
<ul>
<li>She had hypothyroidism, but was on a minimal amount of thyroid hormone – her endocrinologist refused to raise her level above the bottom-most number of “normal” because, after all – it <i>IS</i> “<b>normal</b>.”
It didn’t matter that she still had symptoms of hypothyroidism and even psychiatric textbooks suggest trying a higher level (some people respond to slightly above “normal” range). There are various reasons a person’s available thyroid hormone may not work, such as low vitamin D, progesterone, omega-3s, antithyroid
antibodies, ineffective thyroid transport mechanism etc. (see here for more: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/itsnotmental%5C.blogspot%5C.com%5C/2011%5C/01%5C/brain-health-thyroid-hormones%5C.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Thyroid Connection</a>).</li>
<br />
<li>A new GP entered the picture. Changing her <span style="background-color: yellow;">thyroid medication</span> to the prescription dessicated form (Armour Thyroid, which contains T1, T2,
T3, T4) and raising the level to borderline hypERthyroid immediately helped mood, reducing depression and lethargy, and increased cognitive function. However, from her psychiatrist's point of view, this was irrelevant to her "bipolar" diagnosis. Since her
psychiatric symptoms had existed in spite of low but “<i><b>normal</b></i>” thyroid level, her psychiatrist only said, “I don’t understand.” This then, was still <i style="background-color: yellow;"><b>not</b></i><span style="background-color: yellow;"> considered a “</span><b style="background-color: yellow;">medical cause</b><span style="background-color: yellow;">” for her </span><i style="background-color: yellow;"><b>psychiatric</b></i><span style="background-color: yellow;"> symptoms even though the medical intervention lessened the symptoms. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> She got on a <span style="background-color: yellow;">micronutrient supplement</span> (EMPowerPlus by <a href="http://www.truehope.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Truehope</a>) which
worked better than the antipsychotic she had been on. The antipsychotic had
just caused Tardive Dyskinesia (she was also on her base mood
stabilizer-- an antiseizure medication). <span style="background-color: yellow;">With the addition of the
supplement, she no longer needed as much mood stabilizer and started overdosing on it. </span>However her
psychiatrist insisted that her onset of classic overdose symptoms could not possibly be due to overdosing on the mood stabilizer and absolutely did not want to try lowering the dose. She eventually insisted he help her safely lower it. He did, and the overdosed symptoms immediately subsided.</li>
</ul>
Still, there was more she needed. <br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>A biomedical test for her body reacting to casein, gluten, yeast and soy [see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a> and <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: Cut Out The Casein(Doped with Dairy)</a> proved positive. <span style="background-color: yellow;">The bovine casein indeed turned out to be a direct cause of her bipolar symptoms.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>She <span style="background-color: yellow;">changed her diet, healed her gut</span> (see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a>), <span style="background-color: yellow;">went through the terrible withdrawal symptoms</span> from slowly getting off the psychiatric medication. She <i><b>had to </b></i>come off the medications since she no longer needed them, and she was overdosing on them as her body healed. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>To remove all... ALL... symptoms.. the last of her intermittent brain fog, occasional
negativity, hypoglycemia, etc. <span style="background-color: yellow;">she had to get off all grains</span> (other
grains have small amounts of gluten) <span style="background-color: yellow;">and be careful to eat some protein
with every meal. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b style="background-color: #ea9999; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">She was left
with NO… ZERO… bipolar symptoms.</b> </span><br />
<br />
She has never looked
back, no longer considers herself to have bipolar disorder, and no
longer has what we thought of as “bipolar personality.”
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
But there is no medical diagnostic code for a problem with
casein affecting brain function… although there is that ICD code for an
unspecified encephalopathy (see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/12/icd-10-vs-dsm-v.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ICD-10 vs DSM-V</a>).<br />
<br />
Still, the “mainstream” medical system does not recognize
casein as possibly affecting the brains of some individuals even though
extensive research showing food-related causes (mostly gluten and dairy) dates
back over 30 years with new research frequently being published in the medical
and scientific literature. And Dr. Doris Rapp, MD--Specialist in Environmental Medicine wrote a book decades ago about allergies and chemical causing symptoms exactly the same as we label "Bipolar", "ADHD", "OCD", "perseveration", "OCD", "ODD" and simply, <i><b>bad</b></i>. (See books below.)<br />
<br />
I suppose this is because a pharmaceutical company does not
have a pill to treat it. After
all, deficiency in methylated folate (vitamin B9) was not recognized until a pharmaceutical
company came out with a pill – Deplin – which is just methylated folate (vitamin B9). Of
course though, it is still for “Depression” and “Bipolar Disorder” which is
huge business. And, since it is for a “psychiatric” illness, doctors do
not even need to test the patient for a methylation problem, a genetic variant
(MTHFR/MTRR), or for a deficiency.<br />
<br />
And by the way, by not testing, they may also miss a
methylated B12 deficiency (a pharmaceutical company does not own a patent on a pill yet like they do with methylated B9). This and other problems can be easily picked up with nutrient
testing from labs such as Sepctracell, especially combined with others from
other innovative laboratories (Metametrix, Genova Diagnostics, Great Plains
Labs, etc.).<br />
<br />
So, with no psychiatric medication, no bipolar symptoms, but
on higher dose of thyroid medication plus a dietary change, what is that daughter’s
bipolar?<br />
<ul>
<li>A misdiagnosis? If so, what is her
diagnosis since we do not have one for (autoimmune reaction to) casein
affecting the brain? </li>
<li>In remission as long as she stays on
the diet change? </li>
<li>It can’t be called “in remission”
because “remission” is the current absence of illness/disease or symptoms
without currently being treated for it. </li>
<li>Cured? </li>
<li>Who cares? – They are all labels
anyway. </li>
</ul>
And what about the younger daughter? Assuming you read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">the book: "It's not <span style="font-style: italic;">Mental</span>"</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209" style="border: medium none ! important; color: #3333ff; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> – remember what the psychiatrist said? If she still didn’t have the
symptoms of schizoaffective in five years he will
consider her to “just not have schizoaffective.” But, “No, it was not a
misdiagnosis.”<br />
<br />
Then where
did the schizoaffective go? And if it <i>was</i> "schizoaffective" – not a misdiagnosis:
<b></b><br />
<b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Why aren’t all psychiatrists looking for the </span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">CAUSE</i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> of the symptoms?</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Or at least using an integrative, biomedical treatment approach to get the treatment closer to the core of the symptoms?</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b>Why aren’t
the “regular” physicians treating this way?</b>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Why will insurance not pay</b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> for these incredible tests
and Integrative, inexpensive, health-promoting treatments?</span> </div>
<ul>
<li>Is it really because pharmaceutical companies like
keeping us sick and on multiple medications for life? (This is highly lucrative for them<b>$</b> They are not "evil"<b>$</b> It is also not a "conspiracy" since it is done blatantly--we just choose to ignore it as a society<b>$</b> They are just <i><b>businesses</b></i><b>$</b>) </li>
<li>Is it because doctors
cannot just hand out a prescription pill for the stock DSM diagnosis which is easily done based on symptoms rather than digging deeper? </li>
<li>Is it because the psychiatrists are quite constrained by financial considerations - a 15 minute "medication management" consult and what insurance will pay for?</li>
</ul>
I do not have the answers, because whatever answer I give,
there will be others saying “No, no, no…”<br />
<br />
I hope this gives you food for thought, and I would be
happy to know your opinions.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b>Books:</b>
</div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0307452425&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1880509083&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b>Related Articles:</b> </div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergies-asthma-and-mental-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Allergies and '<i>Mental</i>' Illness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: "Crazy" From Casein?? (Doped with Dairy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-have-sick-children.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">We Have Sick Children</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her Meds-Part 1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar - No Meds - Part 2 (Getting Better)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Property of <a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com%20/">www.ItsNotMental.com </a><br />
Last Updated: 13 November 2011Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-11122959597876369622011-10-13T16:27:00.015-04:002012-12-02T16:21:55.508-05:00No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???Do people who have recovered from these “lifelong” illnesses of schizophrenia, schizoaffective and bipolar disorder still have these illnesses? Are they now in “remission” while no longer being symptomatic (albeit possibly with effective non-psychiatric biomedical care appropriate to their specific cause of symptoms?) <i><b>Or</b></i>, did they have misdiagnoses to begin with? (Read here for <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">real life stories of remission/recovery from schizoaffective and bipolar -- no longer needing psychiatric medications</a>.) <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
These questions are complex and highly debated. After all, these illnesses are <i><b>supposed</b> to be for life</i>. People with severe “mental” illnesses are never expected to “recover,” just to continually struggle with maintaining, or returning to, a state called “<b>in recovery</b>” while on psychotropic medication.<br />
<br />
But as readers of my book or this website know, both my daughters have recovered from their severe psychiatric illnesses (schizoaffective and bipolar). (Here is the post about when <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">my older daughter "recovered from bipolar disorder"</a>)<br />
<br />
Although <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">my book</a> touches on the topic of "recovery" vs "recovered" vs "misdiagnosis," I felt I should expand on this topic here since it is so misunderstood and controversial.<br />
<br />
We know that some women have <i><b>temporary</b></i> and/or <i><b>partial</b></i> "remission" of symptoms during pregnancy (that should tell the doctors something!). However, we are talking here about the long-term type of "remission" or "recovery" which no longer requires psychiatric intervention for the (formerly) diagnosed condition.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Research/DSMIV/FAQs/WhatistheDSMandwhatisitusedfor.aspx" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">DSM</a> (“<i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</i>”) states that when a person is diagnosed with <a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/psychology/781/dsm.htm" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">bipolar</a>, <a href="http://www.minddisorders.com/Py-Z/Schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">schizophrenia</a>, or <a href="http://www.fortunecity.com/campus/psychology/781/sd-dsm.htm" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">schizoaffective</a>, the symptoms <b>should not be due to another medical condition</b>.<br />
<br />
However, when later found to be due to a medical condition -- such as a brain tumour, adrenal adenoma, Lupus, <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">sleep disorder</a>, or <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">hypothyroidism</a> -- or mostly ignored by many mainstream medical doctors -- such as a reaction to <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">gluten</a> or <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">casein</a>), <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">it is still not a </span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"misdiagnosis"</b> according to many professionals!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Yep! The "psychiatric" diagnosis is never "wrong." because it is just a label for the psychiatrist to use for the emotional, cognitive, and other brain symptoms seen at that time!</span></b> To the psychiatric perspective, diagnoses (labels for symptoms seen over time) can change, but they do not <i><b>mis</b></i>diagnose. It took me years of confusion to finally "get" this. But in "real" medicine, when an illness is diagnosed as one thing but found to be something else, we DO call that a MISdiagnosis. What gives? <br />
<br />
The <b>psychiatrists use DSM diagnostic codes to bill insurance</b>. They MUST give some label - some diagnosis from the DSM for every person walking in through their door in order to bill insurance. They are not allowed to bill with medical codes.<br />
<br />
The DSM has codes for mood and psychotic disorders due to medication reactions and medical illnesses. But “Bipolar,” “Schizoaffective,” “Schizophrenia,” “Mood Disorder-nos,” and “Psychotic Disorder-nos” are supposed to be reserved for the cases when the psychiatrist does not know the medical cause. <br />
<br />
A <i>medical</i> doctor (as opposed to mental health practitioners) can avoid psychiatric labeling simply by using an ICD (medical) code for a medical illness. If unsure of the medical cause, “encephalopathy” (Any disease in which the functioning of the brain is affected by some agent or condition), can be used. Or, a diagnosis can be made (depending on symptoms) based on the area of the brain affected, such as “<a href="http://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes/E00-E89/E20-E35/E23-/E23.3" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">hypothalamic dysfunction</a>.” (For more on this, see: <b><i><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/12/icd-10-vs-dsm-v.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ICD-10 vs DSM-V</a></i></b>.)<br />
<br />
In my younger daughter's case, the psychiatrist simply stated, after she had stopped having symptoms of schizophrenia while being treated for <i><b>medical</b></i> conditions, that <b>if after 5 years she still no longer had symptoms she just "would no longer have schizoaffective."</b><br />
<br />
Others beg to differ. We feel the psychiatric profession should acknowledge these were MISdiagnoses. To the people labeled as bipolar and schizophrenic on medications for years for a "psychiatric" diagnosis caused by treatable medical conditions, it sure feels like misdiagnoses!<br />
<br />
Even more controversial, is when the biomedical treatment that eliminates the symptoms is treating a cause that is <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">not documented by an ICD (medical) code</span> (such as by eliminating gluten and dairy, raising thyroid levels, and/or taking nutritional supplements). Here are some differing views: <br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>If</b></i> the treatment is not recognized as the true remedy of the symptoms, <i><b>then</b></i> the illness is merely considered to be “in remission” but oddly, without medications. However, there is the view that all people with a “mental illness” should be on medication (even if they no longer have symptoms because "once you have a mental illness", they say, "you always have a mental illness"). </li>
<li><i><b>If</b></i> it is stipulated that a psychiatric illness is one which can ONLY be treated with psychiatric medications, but biomedical treatment works for the person, then it wasn’t really a psychiatric illness. </li>
<li><i><b>If</b></i> we accept that these “mental” illnesses CAN be treated with biomedical approaches, it would have to be accepted that autoimmune reactions, food sensitivites, hormonal imbalances, need for micronutrient supplementation, sleep disorders, etc. can be <b>medical causes</b> of major psychiatric illnesses. However, since the symptoms can still return if the treatment stops, the person really does have bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. In this case, the person is considered to still be in treatment. (However, accepting a <i><b>medical</b></i> cause should negate the psychiatric diagnosis to begin with).</li>
</ol>
This is long enough for now. Next, I’ll give a real-life scenario of how this works and continue the discussion. (Read here for <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">real life stories of remission/recovery from schizoaffective and bipolar -- no longer needing psychiatric medications</a>.) <br />
<br />
Comments, as always, are welcome.<br />
<br />
Note, that there are people who seem to have healed from these disorders, and talk about it in terms of spiritual journeys to wellness. Some call it using a "life model" approach rather than a "medical model." That is best saved for other bloggers. Here is one such interesting location for such discussions: <a href="http://recoveryfromschizophrenia.org/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovery from "schizophrenia" and other "psychotic disorders" </a><br />
<br />
Besides our book, please let me know about other books about people who had been diagnosed with bipolar, schizoaffective, or schizophrenia who are no longer symptomatic. I’ve included some below, along with books by physicians helping with recovery.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0062026666&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1897025084&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416549722&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0345494512&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0971799016&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1419697684&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
And for the non-medical, psycho-emotional theme: Here is one book (memoir) by Lia Govers, who recovered from emotionally-driven delusions, also labeled as schizophrenia. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1446787745&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
<br />
All these different illnesses. . . all being called "bipolar" and "schizophrenia." No wonder we can't seem to come to any agreement on cause, let alone treatment.<br />
<br />
<b>Related Articles:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric Medications</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Meds - Part2</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovered from Childhood-onset Bipolar / Schizophrenia (Schizoaffective) - Doctor's Perspective</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/05/doctor-went-dumpster-diving.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Doctor Went Dumpster-Diving</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/asking-right-doctor-right-question.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Asking the Right Doctor the Right Question</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-endocrinologist-who-is.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Psychiatrist vs Endocrinologist: Who is Responsible?</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of: </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #000099;">www.ItsNotMental.com</a> <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Last Updated:</b> 10 August 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-85682171688105151932011-08-05T15:00:00.026-04:002012-10-14T13:23:39.615-04:00Brain Health: "Crazy" From Casein?? (Doped with Dairy)Evidence (see references below) shows cow dairy really can cause symptoms of "mental illness." <br />
<br />
We’ve talked about Brain Health and the Gluten (Dis)Connection (<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" target="_blank"> here </a>) and the connection found between gluten and some cases of schizophrenia (<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" target="_blank"> here </a>). At the time, I mentioned my daughters also had to come off of DAIRY. They did test positive for IgA and IgG (immune) reactivity against the <b>cow</b> <b>dairy protein</b> (bovine casein). Such reactions may be involved in severe psychiatric disorders such as bipolar.[1]<br />
<blockquote>
<i style="color: magenta;"><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Inflammation</a> and other immune processes are increasingly linked to psychiatric diseases. . . Anti-casein IgG associations with bipolar I diagnoses, psychotic symptom history, and mania severity scores suggest that casein-related immune activation may relate to the psychosis and mania components of this mood disorder.</i></blockquote>
But there is another way a person can be affected by casein even without the IgA or IgG allergic-type reactions. (See bottom of post for some IgA and IgG testing companies.)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I tested positive to <i><b>casein</b></i> as well (IgG), although my own symptoms were confusing severe chronic urticaria (chronic hives) and mild gut issues. I’d lived with it, along with issues with <i><b>glute</b></i>n, for so long I had not even realized I was also <i><b>lactose</b></i> intolerant!<br />
<br />
Before I get back to the <b>casein</b> issue, let me explain the difference between <b>lactose</b> and <b>casein</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Lactose</b> is the milk <i>sugar</i>. Many people, after childhood, lose the enzyme, lactase, required to digest milk. Lactose is very different from <b>casein</b>, which is the milk <i>protein</i>. A dairy product which says “whey” or even “lactose-free” will contain casein—the protein. In fact, products that one might not think have dairy but have a “lactose” (dairy sugar) filler, such as many medicines, are contaminated with casein (dairy protein) and dairy peptides. Our family learned this the hard way, then verified it with several pharmacists.<br />
<br />
We already know how addicted to milk and cheese some of our children who test positive to a dairy sensitivity/allergy seem. Why? <br />
<br />
And... Why do some people have such a dairy issue even when they test <i>negative</i> to the IgG or IgA allergy testing for dairy?<br />
<br />
And why do so many doctors talking about gluten and gut permeability often mention dairy in the same sentence?<br />
<br />
First, there is another word we need to know – <b>Peptide</b>. Proteins are composed of peptides. Some peptides can be similar enough to other peptides that our body may respond to them in similar ways, such as when they bind to receptor sites on our cells. This is the case when a peptide from milk makes its way intact into our brain and binds to “opiod receptors.” Peptides during the digestion process are <b><i>normally</i></b> broken down to their basic components—<b>amino acids</b> (proteins are composed of various proportions of about 20 common amino acids).<br />
<br />
The peptide in question in called <b>β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM7)</b> or <b>beta-casomorphin</b>. This milk peptide has been found to be taken up by the brain in people diagnosed with “mental” illnesses (i.e. DSM diagnoses) such as “autism” and “schizophrenia”[1][2][4] and even postpartum psychosis.[3] (See here for “<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/autism-is-not-mental-illness.html" target="_blank">Autism is Not A Mental Illness</a>”.)<br />
<br />
As we already have seen, gluten in some individuals, can contribute to intestinal inflammation and thus to gut permeability. One problem with this is then the gluten proteins can pass as peptides into the blood stream. One theory is that the <b>gliadorphin (also known as gluteomorphin)</b> molecule from gluten can affect brain function. It is similar to the <b>casomorphin</b> peptide, which is why some doctors will mention gluten and dairy in the same breath.<br />
<br />
These peptides from gluten (grains such as wheat, rye, barley) and bovine (cow) dairy (casein) then act as <b>neuropeptides</b> (ie. Proteins that affect brain function). Here is a VIDEO lecture featuring noted psychiatrist James Greenblatt, MD about casomorphins, gliadorphins, and their implication in OCD, tics, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders: <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/19231456" style="color: red;" target="_blank">VIDEO: <b>Neuroactive Peptides and Psychiatric Disorders</b> (Click here)</a>.<br />
<br />
And on an aside note, I knew my milk-loving child had problems with milk, but I thought it was just making her allergies worse—making her more congested and mucousy. And indeed, the same protein has been shown to make us release histamines (the stuff we take antihistamines for).[5]<br />
<blockquote style="color: #76a5af;">
<b><i>beta-Casomorphine-7, a naturally occurring product of cow's milk with opiate-like activity, was studied for possible direct histamine liberation activities in humans. . . . Oral pretreatment with the H1 antagonist terfenadine [an antihistamine] significantly inhibited the skin responses to beta-casomorphine-7. </i></b></blockquote>
This is one of the ironies of my older daughter’s 13-year (mis)diagnosis of “bipolar disorder” (see “<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her (psychiatric) Meds PART 1</a>” and “<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-better-part-1-overview.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">PART 2</a>” )—she now takes an antihistamine (Benadryl) as her “emergency med” rather than a psychiatric medication such as quetiapine or lorazepam. But mostly, she takes the preventative measure of staying away from gluten, dairy, and in her case, soy. <br />
<br />
Since research is suggesting that some individuals may be reacting to gliadorphins and casomorphins regardless of the results from IgA and IgG testing for allergies/sensitivities to gluten or dairy, what is a person to do?<br />
<br />
The simplest thing, in my opinion, is simply STOP gluten and dairy completely for a few months and see if that has any effect on symptoms, at the same time as taking steps to heal any potential problems with the gut (<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
<br />
But, <b><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: red;" target="_blank">there is a test</a></b> available to see whether these milk and gluten peptides have actually slipped through intact and are therefore potentially wreaking havoc in the brain.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/brochures/Gluten-Casein%20Peptides%20Test.pdf" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Click Here for the Gluten-Casein Peptide Test Brochure from Great Plains Laboratory</a>.<br />
<br />
And here is the direct link to the where the (urine) test for these gliadorphins and casomorphins can be ordered by either the patient or their physician: <a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">HERE </a><br />
<br />
One of my daughters found that although cow (bovine) casein turned out to cause the exact symptoms that had been diagnosed as ultra-ultra rapid “bipolar disorder” according to the DSM, goat dairy did not. She had stayed off ALL dairy and healed her gut before attempting the goat cheese about a year later but then decided to not have even the goat dairy for reasons of her own particular general health.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Food Sensitivity TESTS: </span></b><br />
<b>Learn more about healing your gut, and other tests available: </b>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a><br />
<ul>
<li>IgE "Skin-scratch" Tests: See an allergist. </li>
<li>IgA Testing: <a href="http://www.enterolab.com/" target="_blank">EnteroLab</a>
</li>
<li>IgG Testing: Note: "ELISA" stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay which analyzes IgG food antibody profile measuring levels of IgG antibodies for commonly
offending foods. (There are many IgG tests. These are just a few): <a href="http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCM73001/Food-Safe-Allergy-Blood-Test.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">FoodSafe Allergy Test</a>, <a href="http://www.alcat.com/?gclid=CJ2Q982z_a4CFSWFQAodaGP00Q" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ALCAT</a>, <a href="http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/immune-function/allergix-igg4-food-antibodies-bloodspot-30" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Metametrix</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Casomorphin/Gliadorphin Sensitivity Test</a> (Great Plains Laboratory)</li>
</ul>
<b>Related Books and DVDs: </b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934716154/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1934716154" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Breakthrough Depression Solution: A Personalized 9-Step Method for Beating the Physical Causes of Your Depression</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1934716154&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i>: finding innovative support and medical treatment for a child (mis)diagnosed with a severe mental illness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345494512/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0345494512" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402218451/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=1402218451" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Autism and ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E55XLQ/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001E55XLQ" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut and Psychology Syndrome DVD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001E55XLQ&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br />
</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://astore.amazon.com/itsnome-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=5" style="color: magenta;" target="_blank">Click HERE for more related books on Nutrition in Amazon Store.</a><br />
<br />
<b>Other Related Links:</b> <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/10/getting-started-diet-changes.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Getting Started - Diet Changes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergies-asthma-and-mental-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Allergies, Asthma, and “Mental” Illness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/07/inflammation-schizophrenia-and-bipolar.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Inflammation, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-david-perlmutter-md/gluten-impacts-the-brain_b_785901.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gluten Sensitivity and the Impact on the Brain</a> (off-site article)</li>
<li><a href="http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Gluten File</a> (off-site link)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Food Sensitivity Journal</a> (off-site link with recipes)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.livingwithout.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Living Without</a> (off-site Magazine website with recipes for people with various food allergies)</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-health-nutrition-and-epigenetics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: Nutrition and Epigenetics</a></li>
</ul>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1887624082&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1587613484&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center>
<br />
<b>REFERENCES</b><br />
<br />
[1] <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21176030" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Immune activation by casein dietary antigens in bipolar disorder..</a> Severance EG, Dupont D, Dickerson FB, Stallings CR, Origoni AE, Krivogorsky B, Yang S, Haasnoot W, Yolken RH. <i>Bipolar Disorder.</i> Bipolar Disord. 2010 Dec;12(8):834-42.<br />
<br />
[2] <a href="http://aut.sagepub.com/content/3/1/85.abstractAutism" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">A Peptide Found in Schizophrenia and Autism Causes Behavioral Changes in Rats</a> Zhongjie Sun, J. Robert Cade <i>Autism</i> March 1, 1999 3: 85-95<br />
<br />
[3] <a href="http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/141/9/1059" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">CSF and plasma beta-casomorphin-like opioid peptides in postpartum psychosis</a> LH Lindstrom, F Nyberg, L Terenius, K Bauer, G Besev, LM Gunne, S Lyrenas, G Willdeck-Lund and B Lindberg Am J Psychiatry 1984; 141:1059-1066<br />
<br />
[4] <a href="http://aut.sagepub.com/content/3/1/67.abstract" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">β-Casomorphin Induces Fos-Like Immunoreactivity in Discrete Brain Regions Relevant to Schizophrenia and Autism</a><br />
Zhongjie Sun, J. Robert Cade, Melvin J. Fregly, R. Malcolm Privette <i>Autism</i>, March 1999; vol. 3, 1: pp. 67-83.<br />
<br />
[5] <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1374738" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">A naturally occurring opioid peptide from cow's milk, beta-casomorphine-7, is a direct histamine releaser in man.</a> Kurek M, Przybilla B, Hermann K, Ring J. <i>Int Arch Allergy Immunol.</i> 1992;97(2):115-20 also see:<br />
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8775294" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Pseudoallergic skin reactions to opiate sequences of bovine casein in healthy children.</a> Kurek M, Czerwionka-Szaflarska M, Doroszewska G. <i>Rocz Akad Med Bialymst.</i> 1995;40(3):480-5.]<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1934716154&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1935274120&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=159233394X&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1402218451&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0345494512&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Last Updated:</b></span> 13 October 2012Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-34549260839893034942011-06-25T11:51:00.009-04:002011-08-17T17:06:36.997-04:00Recipient in 3 Book Award Categories! – Indie Book Awards<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It’s Not <i>Mental</i></a> by Jeanie Wolfson is one of three finalist winners in THREE different categories of the 2011 Next Generation <a href="http://www.indiebookawards.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Indie Book Awards</a>. <br />
<br />
These 3 categories are: <br />
<ul><li><b>Best Cover Design – Non-Fiction</b></li>
<li><b>Education / Academic</b></li>
<li><b>Biography</b></li>
</ul><a name='more'></a>“<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">It’s Not <i>Mental</i></a>” is published by tiny <a href="http://cerebellapublishing.webs.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Cerebella Publishing</a> and distributed by <a href="http://www.ingrambook.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Ingram Books</a>, so any book store can order this book. It can also be easily obtained from on-line retailers such as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209">Amazon Books</a> and from <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/its-not-mental-jeanie-wolfson/1029414097?ean=9780982805206&itm=1&usri=it27s%2bnot%2bmental%2bwolfson%E2%80%9D">Barnes and Noble</a><br />
<br />
Readers of “It’s Not Mental” know how much books and reading were an integral part of Keri’s young life. I put together an <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/itsnome-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=4" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Amazon list HERE</a> (this is an Amazon.com outlet, or “Store”) of many of the books she loved to read as a young child, some of which were mentioned in the story. Most of these are sweet non-violent stories for young children since that is what she preferred. They would be great for summer reading, reading for winter break, and birthday gifts. As an adult, I have to admit, I enjoyed them as well.<br />
<br />
List of 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Winners and Finalists: <a href="http://www.indiebookawards.com/2011_winners_and_finalists.php" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
<br />
<b>Related Posts (some of these are off-site links)</b>: <br />
<ul><li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-mental-book-availability.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">About the book </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">About the situation (from a doctor)</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/03/its-not-mental-new-book-about-mothers.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Author Interview about BOTH Daughters </a></li>
<li><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/itsnome-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=6" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Great Mental Illness Memoirs and Biographies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/suggested-books.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Other Book Suggestions</a></li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0307452425&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591810965&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of: </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #000099;">www.ItsNotMental.com</a> <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Last Updated:</b> 25 June 2011</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-75961883356010285582011-05-24T10:14:00.010-04:002012-07-25T20:39:07.801-04:00When Hearing Things Is Not SchizophreniaI received an E-mail (below) from a mother, <span style="color: #274e13;">Arna Mathiesen</span> in Norway, who went that extra mile for her son who was hearing things, withdrawn, panicky, and dizzy for no apparent reason. She sent me a link to an article about him.<br />
<br />
“When he was still in a room, he would be staring and not answering.” He was having panic attacks. The doctors initially could not find anything wrong with him and<b> repeatedly suggested that his issues were <i style="color: #351c75;">mental</i></b>. <br />
<br />
Hmmm…. Sound familiar? A lot like (see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" target="_blank">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a>) what happened to my younger daughter? <br />
<br />
Let’s see, hearing things that no one else hears…Staring out into nothingness. Disengaged from life around him...Claiming symptoms the doctors couldn't believe in because they saw no medical cause. Schizophrenia perhaps? Severe Depression with psychosis? Bipolar Disorder? Schizoaffective?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Some people wonder why I accepted my daughters had diagnoses of “mental illness” and that they just needed medication “for depression,” “for bipolar,” and “for schizoaffective.” They cannot believe I was that “stupid,” or “naïve.” I readily acknowledge my ignorance. <br />
<br />
I do not think I am much different than most other people. I have a science background. I was entrenched in the belief that the medical doctors (and psychiatrists) would help, that the diagnoses were correct—after all, their symptoms absolutely DID meet the criteria for their psychiatric diagnoses—and I, too, had hubris—I did not wish to <i>appear</i> ignorant, believing that any of that “alternative whako stuff” had any validity. Mainstream medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies would have been proud of me. <br />
<br />
The point is that when doctors do not find physical problems associated with the invisible complaints of the patient, those symptoms automatically meet the criteria for “mental.” <br />
<br />
Here is the E-mail (printed with permission):<br />
<blockquote>
<i>I am the mother of Wolfie, a boy who suddenly got very ill half a year ago. <br />
<br />
We were in and out of hospitals about 6 times, several days each time.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Every day in the hospital I was asked if it had occurred to me that Wolfie had a mental problem</span>.<br />
<br />
Finally Wolfie was diagnosed and had a craniotomy in the US 2 months ago.</i><br />
<br />
<i> The diagnosis was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_canal_dehiscence" target="_blank"><b>Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD)</b></a>. Less than 10 children in the world are diagnosed with this illness. Wolfie had more severe symptoms than any known SSCD-patient. If his symptoms had not been so severe he might never have been diagnosed correctly.</i><br />
<i> <br />
SSCD (or SCDS) was first described in the medical literature 12 years ago and still very few doctors know about it, but now some doctors think it is not unlikely that the mental hospitals are full of misdiagnosed SSCD patients. <br />
<br />
The fantastic thing though is that SSCD is curable. We came back home 2 weeks after the surgery and Wolfie has been in school and perfectly without SSCD symptoms ever since (he has just a bit weak muscles after not being able to raise his head from the pillow due to vertigo and panic attacks for 4 months.<br />
<br />
Why am I telling you this Jeanie?<br />
<br />
The whole experience has just been so overwhelming and I feel the need to tell anybody who can help me get out the information so that others can be able to learn from Wolfie’s story and save their children from being locked inside a horrible medical condition nobody can figure out.</i></blockquote>
Here is the link to Wolfie’s story: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/Search-for-a-cure.html?showAll=y&c=y">Search for a cure: Norway family finds relief for son’s condition in Baton Rouge</a> (March 22, 2011) The Advocate <br />
<br />
Note that at the mother’s insistence, the doctors in Norway searched until they had a medical diagnosis for Wolfie, even after their first battery of medical testing came up with nothing. Their centralized government health care system pays for diagnostics and treatments, so although the small country did not have the facility there to correct Wolfie’s problem, as they do in such cases, they send the patient wherever such treatment is available – even if it is half-way across the world. <br />
<br />
Also note that not all people with this condition have such severe symptoms. Not all are so dizzy they cannot stand. That is why the doctors surmised that patients with SSCD can be misdiagnosed and treated erroneously with psychiatric medications, as is customary when a medical cause for sensory, behavioral, and affective symptoms are not yet known.<br />
<br />
The treating doctor commented:<br />
<blockquote>
<i>One unusual condition is called “autophony,” whereby a patient may hear all sorts of noises, Gianoli said. Body sounds like heartbeats, chewing, creaking joints and a person’s own voice will seem unusually loud in the affected ear. “Some patients even report that they hear their eyes move,” Gianoli said. . . “Sometimes a patient can get very position sensitive,” Gianoli said. Others may develop panic attacks.</i></blockquote>
As readers of my book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209">It's Not <i>Mental</i></a>" know, my husband and I were repeatedly told by the medical professionals that the bizarre physical symptoms <i>our</i> child was complaining of were "<i><b>mental</b></i>." My husband and I did not dismiss the idea that they indeed were "mental." At the same time, we did not completely dismiss the idea that, as our child stated, they were "real." Such readers will also recall it was one of our daughter's largest gratitudes during those stressful years—that at least we did not <b><i>dis</i></b>believe her.<br />
<br />
Thank you, Arna Mathiesen, for sharing this interesting story in an effort to help others.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Further Reading:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/07/mood-swings-hearing-and-seeing-things.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Mood Swings, Hearing and Seeing Things, Anxiety - Interview with Recovered Adults</a></li>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2012/03/audio-excerpt-of-book-short-chat-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Audio - Child Hears Voices and Has Tactile, Pain Hallucinations.</a>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Some <b><i>Known</i></b> Medical causes of 'Mental' Symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-doctor-visit-medication-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Medication History</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-doctor-visit-medical-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Medical History</a></li>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-doctor-visit-medical-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">
</a>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-doctor-visit-medical-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/05/doctor-went-dumpster-diving.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Record Delivery (The Doctor Went Dumpster-Diving)</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of: </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #000099;">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 25 July 2012</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-88763706195489951872011-05-04T21:31:00.009-04:002012-05-20T09:33:23.479-04:00Allergies, Asthma, and “Mental” IllnessWhen most people hear the word “allergies” they think of sneezing, drippy noses, red eyes, and maybe some wheezing and congestion. Some people may think of hives or maybe even an anaphylactic reaction to food or insect bite allergies. Some may also visualize allergic people feeling fatigued, and having slowed, fuzzy thinking. They feel sick and lethargic, and indeed may even get more frequent infections. <br />
<br />
But most people do not connect “seasonal allergies” and even “asthma” to more severe brain symptoms such as Major Depressive Disorder, and children’s “raging” and prolonged tantrums. Yet that connection exists. Remember the scene in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" target="_blank">my book</a> about Keri’s summer of allergies segueing into the deep dark depths of depression? After decades of observant parents noticing that connection, mainstream media is finally reporting on the research validating those observations.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>One newspaper, in their carefully mainstream, conservative science news section, ran an article [1] about allergies being linked to a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and possibly even an increase in suicide, explaining a cause-effect scenario involving allergic inflammation affecting a brain neurotransmitter (thereby affecting mood). <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I saw other outlets reporting on the same research perpetuating the misconception that “psychiatric” (medical) is the same as “emotional” or “psychological” with misleading headlines (and text) about allergies <i>causing</i> “emotional problems” or being “psychologically harmful”[2] implying that having allergies causes so much emotional distress that the person’s personality becomes… what?… distorted in some way, and if only they had stronger character the inflammatory process causing brain function changes would not happen? No wonder the general public is confused and stigma persists about the illnesses that affect brain function, those that we term “mental illness.” The pattern of blaming the victim persists, in part, due to such reporting.<br />
<br />
What does the actual research say about both allergies and asthma and the higher risk of “mental” illness? As we’ve previously discussed, allergic reactions release inflammatory cytokines.[1,2] The inflammation is said to precede symptoms as severe as bipolar disorder.[3] Now, scientists are saying the <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/02/stress-immune-response-and-illness.html">cytokines </a> might reduce levels of the hormone/neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps maintain feelings of well-being.[1,2]<br />
<br />
To complicate matters, some common allergy and asthma medications including those with corticosteroids and/or salmeterol can cause anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, hallucinations,[1,3,4] and paranoia[5]. <br />
<br />
The next big questions are 1- Is there other scientific medical research about the connection between asthma/allergies and “mental” illness, and 2- Why are there more cases of allergies and asthma?<br />
<br />
In answer to #1 – Yes. Remember in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" target="_blank">my book</a> I talked about the hypothalamic-pituitary axis? From an article in 2008 titled: “A Review of Candidate Pathways Underlying the Association Between Asthma and Major Depressive Disorder:”[6] <br />
<blockquote>
<i><b>Results:</b> MDD [Major Depressive Disorder] occurs in almost half of patients with asthma assessed in tertiary care centers. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis may predispose people to both MDD and asthma, and similar alterations in the immune, autonomic nervous, and other key systems are apparent and may contribute to this increased risk of co-occurrence.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusions:</b> High rates of MDD in asthma may result from the stress of chronic illness, the medications used to treat it, or a combination of the two. The high level of co-occurrence may also reflect dysregulation of certain stress-sensitive biological processes that contribute to the pathophysiology of both conditions.</i></blockquote>
Which leads to question #2 - why are more children ill with asthma and allergies? Theories abound, with many leading back to the gut/probiotic/brain connection. These theories include the increased prevalence in babies being delivered via C-section (referenced in my book), as well with the increased use of antibiotics[7]. <br />
<br />
In a study of antibiotic use in infants:[8]<br />
<blockquote>
<i>Babies given antibiotics before the age of six months are up to 70 per cent more likely to develop asthma later in childhood . . . <br />
<br />
In a report on their findings, the Yale researchers blamed the drugs for upsetting the balance of protective microbes in a baby's gut, which help to ward off illness in the early stages of life.<br />
<br />
'Very early microbial exposure, particularly in the intestinal tract, seems necessary for a mature and balanced immune system in childhood.<br />
<br />
'Antibiotic use, especially broad spectrum antibiotics, may alter microbial flora in the gut, thereby causing imbalances in the immune system and a poor allergic response.' </i></blockquote>
Doing a further search on the allergy-asthma connection we find links to acetaminophen use in infants (increasing risk of both asthma and eczema)[9], stress during pregnancy[10], and even the excessive consumption of fast-food hamburgers (more than 3 per week)[11]. <br />
<br />
Which in my mind just leads full circle to the fact that environmental stressors on the organism, whether due to toxins (constantly increasing in our world), absence of normal gut biota, emotional traumas, poor nutrition, poor sleep, poor health, etc… leads to inflammation and immune malfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, more poor sleep, more poor health, more stress, etc.<br />
<br />
Remember what different doctors both said about my daughter’s illness – that it was systemic—body-wide—not just “in her head?” One factor affects multiple parts affecting the whole of the person, even though modern medicine is set up to just look at pieces of us. <br />
<br />
Our job is to break the cycle. Heal the whole.<br />
<br />
This post is long enough. I haven’t even touched on “brain allergies” which are so commonly associated with reactions to foods and chemicals. <br />
<br />
Here is interesting reading on that topic: <a href="http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/brainallergies.htm">BRAIN ALLERGIES</a>. <br />
Be sure to see the books and video below!<br />
<br />
This video news story about a boy with autism really resonated with me with talk about the boy’s illness affecting the WHOLE BODY, causing pain and affecting mitochondria and the gut … or should we say when something affects the gut and <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/mitochondrial-dysfunction-psychiatric.html">the mitochondria</a>, and causes pain, the WHOLE BODY is affected. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1023939426"><br />
</a></b></div>
<b><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june11/autism_04-18.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Autism Now: Meet Nick, Robert MacNeil's Grandson, PBS NewsHour, PBS Video</a></b> <br />
Related article: <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/autism-is-not-mental-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Autism Is Not a “Mental Illness”</a>
<br />
<br />
If you read nothing else, at least get some ideas from my book, and
read this books by Dr. Doris Rapp, MD - pediatrician, allergist, and
board-certified specialist in environmental medicine, and watch this
video!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center><center> </center><center>WATCH this child get "bipolar" and perseverate with just a drop of pollen! <br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kaxBV15xzAE" width="480"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<br />
Here is Dr. Doris Rapp's website: <a href="http://www.drrapp.com/">http://www.drrapp.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>If you have read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"><i>my</i> book</a>, you'll know - our lives would have been at least partially better if we had read <i>her</i> book twenty years ago!</b><br />
<br />
<b>Related Books: </b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1880509083/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=1880509083">Our Toxic World: A Wake Up Call</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0982805209">It's Not <i>Mental</i>: finding innovative support and medical treatment for a child diagnosed with a severe mental illness</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345494512/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0345494512">Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1402218451/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=1402218451">The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1461024366/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1461024366">Healing Autism Naturally</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1461024366&camp=217145&creative=399349" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ODPWQC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=B003ODPWQC">Gut and Psychology Syndrome</a></li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Food Sensitivity TESTS: </span></b><br />
<b>Learn more about healing your gut, and other tests available: </b>
<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and Behavior</a><br />
<ul>
<li>IgE "Skin-scratch" Tests: See an allergist. </li>
<li>IgA Testing: <a href="http://www.enterolab.com/" target="_blank">EnteroLab</a>
</li>
<li>IgG Testing: Note: "ELISA" stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent
Assay which analyzes IgG food antibody profile measuring levels of IgG
antibodies for commonly
offending foods. (There are many IgG tests. These are just a few): <a href="http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCM73001/Food-Safe-Allergy-Blood-Test.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">FoodSafe Allergy Test</a>, <a href="http://www.alcat.com/?gclid=CJ2Q982z_a4CFSWFQAodaGP00Q" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">ALCAT</a>, <a href="http://www.metametrix.com/test-menu/profiles/immune-function/allergix-igg4-food-antibodies-bloodspot-30" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Metametrix</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Casomorphin/Gliadorphin Sensitivity Test</a> (Great Plains Laboratory)</li>
</ul>
<b>References </b><br />
<br />
[1] "Studies link allergies to higher depression risk" Lexington Herald-Leader 12 April, 2011.<br />
<br />
[2] <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/health/12really.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">New York Times Are Allergies and Depression Related? </a><br />
<br />
[3] <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Inflammation of Body and Brain</a> <br />
<br />
[4] See listed side effects for Advair, pseudoephedrine and Benadryl.<br />
<br />
[5] "It’s Not <i>Mental</i>" (the book) by Jeanie Wolfson<br />
<br />
[6] A Review of Candidate Pathways Underlying the Association Between Asthma and Major Depressive Disorder Psychosomatic Medicine February/March 2009 vol. 71 no. 2 187-195<br />
<br />
[7] <a #3333ff;="" color:="" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1344597/Asthma-risk-babies-antibiotics.html#ixzz1LJaBgr6P%20style=" target="_blank">Babies given antibiotics before six-months have a higher asthma risk</a><br />
<br />
[8] <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-bacteria.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Gut, Brain, Bacteria and Behavior </a><br />
<br />
[9] <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26788879/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Acetaminophen may raise asthma risk in kids</a> <br />
Study covered pain reliever's use among children in 31 countries <br />
<br />
[10] <a href="http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20080519/pregnancy-stress-ups-kids-asthma-risk" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Pregnancy Stress Ups Kids' Asthma Risk</a> Study Shows Stress on Moms May Affect Child's Immune Response<br />
<br />
[11] <a href="http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20100604/hamburgers-linked-to-asthma-risk-in-kids" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Hamburgers Linked to Asthma Risk in Kids </a> Study Shows Higher Risk for Asthma in Kids Who Eat 3 or More Burgers a Week<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of: </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" style="color: #000099;">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 23 March 2012<br />
</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-35068297637565183022011-03-24T14:56:00.013-04:002012-03-22T16:47:50.398-04:00Gut, Brain, Bacteria, and BehaviorCan the way we use antibiotics — without focusing on keeping up the normal biota in our gut that antibiotics wipe out — be contributing to the rise in both “mental” illnesses as well as inflammatory and metabolic disorders such as allergies and diabetes? <br />
<br />
Scientists are saying “YES.”<br />
<br />
They are re-confirming what many doctors and researchers in the field of Integrative medicine have been saying for years — that gut health is intimately connected with the function of our brain.[1]<br />
<br />
The gut-brain connection is being implicated in brain disorders ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">as it was in my own children</a>).<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>One recent study[2] showed that having normal gut bacteria during early life may result in resistance to not just intestinal problems, but to systemic autoimmunity and allergic responses. Why? The authors say the bacteria<br />
<blockquote>
"promote anti-inflammatory immune responses by expanding and activating regulatory T-cells. The finding has important implications for understanding how gut-resident bacteria affect both intestinal and systemic immune responses."</blockquote>
What are T-cells and how does this tie in with mental illness? T-cells are the white blood cells that search and destroy foreign bodies that threaten the host. A healthy gut equals a healthy person.<br />
<br />
But even more directly relating to the brain, is another study. In a communiqué from McMaster University via <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/" target="_blank">EurekAlert!</a> [3], we find: <br />
<blockquote>
A lot of chatter goes on inside each one of us and not all of it happens between our ears.<br />
<br />
Researchers at McMaster University discovered that the "cross-talk" between bacteria in our gut and our brain plays an important role in the development of psychiatric illness, intestinal diseases and probably other health problems as well including obesity.<br />
<br />
"The wave of the future is full of opportunity as we think about how microbiota or bacteria influence the brain and how the bi-directional communication of the body and the brain influence metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes," says Jane Foster, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.</blockquote>
In a study using germ-free mice, Foster and colleagues found the functioning of genes (see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-health-nutrition-and-epigenetics.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">epigenetics</a>) linked to learning and memory are altered in the absence of germs. In particular, they found the genes functioning differently in one of the key brain regions for learning and memory -- the hippocampus.<br />
<blockquote>
"The take-home message is that gut bacteria influences anxiety-like behavior through alterations in the way the brain is wired," said Foster.</blockquote>
This study took place in the Brain-Body Institute, a joint research initiative of McMaster University and St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton. The institute was created to advance understanding of the relationship between the brain, nervous system and bodily disorders.<br />
<blockquote>
"We have a hypothesis in my lab that the state of your immune system and your gut bacteria -- which are in constant communication -- influences your personality," Foster said.</blockquote>
She said psychiatrists, in particular, are interested in her research because of the problems of side effects with current drug therapy.<br />
<blockquote>
"The idea behind this research is to see if it's possible to develop new therapies which could target the body, free of complications related to getting into the brain," Foster said. "We need novel targets that take a different approach than what is currently on the market for psychiatric illness. Those targets could be the immune system, your gut function…we could even use the body to screen patients to say what drugs might work better in their brain."</blockquote>
Gut health was definitely an intensely important factor in my children’s recovery from “mental” illness. <br />
<br />
Many people address the gut issue on multiple fronts:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Digestion</b> from chewing to elimination, possibly using <b>digestive enzymes</b>.</li>
<li><b>Probiotics</b> (normal biota of the gut can be affected even from birth such as in the case of Caesarian Sections, but also later from antibiotics, poor diet, and illness). </li>
<li><b>Prebiotics</b> nutrients (such as arabinogalactan) and fiber to assist in the gut bacteria taking hold and flourishing). </li>
<li>Attacking <b>Candida overgrowth</b> that typically occurs in the absence of normal gut bacteria (often done via a low sugar, low refined-carb diet (such as a person with diabetes or metabolic syndrome should eat) plus over-the-counter anticandidal agents, and occasionally prescription antifungal agents). Quest Diagnostics provides laboratory tests for systemic yeast. Regular insurance will hopefully cover these, just like any other blood work the doctor orders:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/OrderInfo.action?fn=27058.html&labCode=AMD" target="_blank">Candida albicans (m5) IgE</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/OrderInfo.action?fn=34336.html&labCode=TMP" target="_blank">Candida Antigen Detection </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/OrderInfo.action?fn=7132.html&labCode=AMD" target="_blank">Candida Antibody, ID</a> </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><b>Healthy diet</b> – well-rounded with lots of whole foods and fiber. </li>
<li><b>Eliminating foods</b> which the person may be allergic or sensitive to. Food sensitivity testing can be done in different ways, such as:<br />
<ul>
<li>IgA testing (see <a href="http://www.enterolab.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">www.enterolab.com</a>) </li>
<li>IgG blood testing (see <a href="http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCM73001/Food-Safe-Allergy-Blood-Test.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a> for an easy at-home kit, from the Life Extension foundation, which you mail in). </li>
<li>There is even a urine test for gliadin (gluten – wheat, rye, barley) and casein (dairy): <a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">GPL Gluten-Casein (gliadorphin / casomorphin) Peptide Test</a><br />
</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Note</b> that foods (such as <b>gluten</b> and <b>cow casein</b>) as well as an assortment of food and environmental sensitivities can also directly cause brain symptoms, and may not be just affecting gut health. (See <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://dorisrappmd.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/02/food-sensitivities-mental-illness-and.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=beta%20casomorphin%20schizophrenia" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">here</a>).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Reading:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: "Crazy" From Casein?? (Doped with Dairy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-have-sick-children.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">We Have Sick Children</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her Meds</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>A Few Related Books and DVDs (see site for more):</b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591810965&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0969276818&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0954852028&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1461024366&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Important Related Off-site Links:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Food Sensitivities and Recipes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dorisrappmd.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Atypical and Typical Allergies - Doris Rapp, MD</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.enterolab.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">EnteroLab - Gluten Testing</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/ItemLCM73001/Food-Safe-Allergy-Blood-Test.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">FoodSafe Allergy Blood Testing </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Great Plains Lab Gluten/Casein Peptide Urine Test </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.truehope.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">TrueHope: Micronutrients</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Gluten File</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.gfcfdiet.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The GFCF Diet for Children</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acompromisedgeneration.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">A Compromised Generation </a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b> References:</b><br />
<ul>
<li> [1] K. M. Neufeld, N. Kang, J. Bienenstock, J. A. Foster. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01620.x/abstract" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Reduced anxiety-like behavior and central neurochemical change in germ-free mice.</a> <i>Neurogastroenterology & Motility</i>, 2011; 23 (3): 255 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2010.01620.x</li>
<li>[2] <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21205640" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Induction of colonic regulatory T cells by indigenous Clostridium species.</a><br />
</li>
<li>[3] <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/220020.php" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">'Knowing It In Your Gut' Is Real, Researchers Find</a><br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a> <b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Last Updated:</b></span> 20 March 2012Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-80323501812404532312011-02-19T15:08:00.012-05:002012-07-04T11:58:32.760-04:00Getting Better – Part 1 - Overview (Bipolar and Off Her Meds Part 2)Over a year ago, I wrote of an unexpected event in our lives, “<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her Meds (and doing well)</a>,” about my older daughter. I promised to eventually provide more information. Fortunately, my children are far from unique in their <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">experience of recovery</a> from the <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-have-sick-children.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> epidemic of mental illness</a>.<br />
<br />
It is, perhaps, ironic, that my older daughter’s former psychiatrist wanted information from <i><b>her</b></i>—research he could hand out to patients—on how she got better. The research is not new. It has been available for over thirty years.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Thirteen years of psychiatric medications and multiple hospitalizations had never stabilized her. Yet she now has no symptoms – and isn’t even on psychiatric-type medications. I will add a caveat to the "no symptoms" statement. She does have the emotional fallout to deal with from the life experiences she had while unstable. And she, like her sister, can get various temporary symptoms (such as brain-fog, mood swings, etc) from foods eaten, as you will see as this series progresses. <br />
<br />
The psychiatrist has had other cases over the years like hers—ones he could not stabilize. He works in a psychiatric hospital, and the same situation exists there today. My older daughter had ultradian cycling (ultra ultra-rapid cycling) bipolar disorder that is notoriously difficult to treat, and usually has a poor outcome.<br />
<br />
I say it is ironic, because one thing that helped her so much was simply increasing her <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;"> thyroid hormone levels</span></a>, a tactic which has been in psychiatric textbooks, I am told, for many decades. The other irony is he himself had been the one to first give me research papers, many years ago in my younger daughter’s case, about the possible connection between <i>autism</i> and the gut, even though my daughter's diagnosis was NOT "autism" but rather, had meltdowns and symptoms of depression, mood swings and hallucinations. Readers of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209"><span style="color: #3333ff;">It's Not <i>Mental</i></span></a>, would be well aware of that part of our story.<br />
<br />
My older daughter had teen-onset bipolar disorder. Today, she is bipolar disorder symptom-free on just:<br />
<ul>
<li>Dessicated thyroid hormone (prescription) with her fT3 & fT4 levels optimized for her needs,</li>
<li>Diet change for Gluten, cow-dairy, and soy intolerance plus low refined carbs & sugar intake to control metabolic syndrome,</li>
<li>Help for sleep – Melatonin, tryptophan, and both a small dose of Ambien and sometimes Benadryl to counter painful effects of a permanent side-effect left from antipsychotic use (a tardive dyskinesia called tardive akathisia, and painful muscle tightness. The Ambien allows her to fall asleep in spite of this).</li>
</ul>
But getting to this point was not easy, and I am not even talking about the horrific, brutal withdrawal symptoms from coming off the psychotropic medications. She had to get to a place mentally and emotionally where she was willing to do whatever it took to get better even if that meant the scary prospect of changing her diet -- giving up foods she seemed addicted to. After that, there were still steps needed to help her heal. <br />
<br />
After seeing her little sister get better, she switched to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">a more caring GP</a> (the same one treating her sister who has <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">recovered</a> from a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar) and also attacked her illness on multiple fronts:<br />
<ul>
<li>Micronutrients (EMPowerplus by Truehope)</li>
<li>Thyroid hormone (prescription dessicated thyroid hormone raising T3/T4 levels to UPPER range) </li>
<li>Understanding of overdose symptoms/side-effects, and true illness symptoms vs withdrawal symptoms</li>
<li>Help for withdrawal symptoms</li>
<li>Diet changes </li>
<li>Gut health (anti-candida, pro-biotics)</li>
<li>Sleep</li>
</ul>
That may sound complicated but it was actually much simpler and straight-forward than her sister’s case. After reading what it took for her little sister to get better, you will recognize we implemented those lessons learned, and this one was a piece-of-cake in comparison. <br />
<br />
In other entries, I will delve more deeply into each, although readers of the book <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-mental-book-availability.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">about her younger sister </span></a>, probably already have a pretty good idea about each part. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Reading:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/08/brain-health-cut-out-casein-doped-with.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health: "Crazy" From Casein?? (Doped with Dairy)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Brain Health-The Gluten (Dis)Connection</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Abnormal Sleep as a Cause of Mental Symptoms</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Brain Health – The Thyroid Connection</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Inflammation of Body and Brain</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/01/sets-of-symptoms-not-causeget.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Sets of Symptoms--Not the Cause–Get Diagnostic Labels</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/01/childhood-onset-schizophrenia-has-high.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Childhood-Onset Schizophrenia Has High Rates of Comorbid Diagnoses Including Autism and ADHD</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">MORE</span></a></li>
</ul>
Good educational Videos about Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac, and cross-reactive foods from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/healthnowmedical" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Health Now Medical's Channel</a> (See book "<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982271107/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217153&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0982271107%22%3EThe%20Gluten%20Effect%3C/a%3E" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The Gluten Effect</a>")<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #38761d;">Having trouble figuring out where to start, let alone a specialist to start with? Click here for list of resources:</b> <b><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/important-links-to-help-our-children.html" style="color: blue;">Helpful resources -- websites, articles, books, organizations, products</a></b> (I do not sell these products.)<br />
<br />
<b>Related Books</b><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591810965&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=0345494512" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1416549714" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b></span> 09 December 2011Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-26454150305238764882011-02-08T11:14:00.012-05:002011-11-11T15:11:59.018-05:00We Have Sick ChildrenThe latest statistics in the U.S.A. show that one in <b>FOUR</b> children are now on long-term <b><i>prescription</i></b> medications for chronic illnesses. <br />
<br />
This does not include acute care medicines such as antibiotics for a sinus infection. It doesn’t even include over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as allergy medications, cough medicines, and analgesics. It means medications such as for asthma, diabetes, autoimmune disease, high cholesterol, and “mental” illnesses. <br />
<br />
This is great news for the pharmaceutical companies and their shareholders.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>It isn’t such good news for the American public. But it is so much faster for a physician to put children on long-term medications for what seems to be a pervasive problem in the very fabric of our society, than to tackle the underlying social, personal, medical, environmental, and familial issues head-on.<br />
<br />
Both my children were 2 of those one-in-four children on chronic prescription medications. And, they were two of the <b>one-in-five children with psychiatric diagnoses</b>.<a href="http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/mental/guide/info-mental-a.htm">[1]</a> The psychiatric medications helped dampen some symptoms, but damaged them in the long run. But worse -- they did not get at what was causing their symptoms. The medications do not <i>heal</i> them. <br />
<br />
What I feel is even more horrific for us, but certainly wonderful for the pharmaceutical industry, is that even when it turns out the person does not need the psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, and even though they are deemed "non-addictive," our experience (and that of many others) is that getting off them can have withdrawal symptoms that rival those people describe getting off Heroin.<br />
<br />
According to Maggie Kozel, M.D,’s article in the Huffington Post,<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maggie-kozel-md/childrens-health-care_b_803167.html">[2]</a> <br />
<blockquote>
A recent study by the AAP predicts that treatment of mental illness and mood disorders will soon make up 30-40 percent of a pediatrician's office practice.[3].<br />
<br />
To put this trend in perspective, an earlier study that appeared in the journal<i> Pediatrics</i> revealed that 8 percent of pediatricians felt they had adequate training in prescribing antidepressants, 16 percent felt comfortable prescribing them, but 72 percent actually did.</blockquote>
A woman I encountered on one discussion board was complaining that her sister did not understand her children’s bipolar illness. The sister kept harping at her about her children’s poor diet. She commented with sarcastic bitterness something to the effect: “Yeah, Right. Like change the way the kids eat and they won’t have bipolar disorder anymore.” <br />
<br />
I slunk away, not daring to comment. I could have been that same woman a few years earlier. Not that my children ate poorly. And I do not think that woman’s sister is correct. After all, my younger daughter got ill with “mental” illness in spite of not eating junk food. Pre-natal and too many other environmental factors come into play. <br />
<br />
In fact, our babies are even being born with toxins already in them, and many are then exposed to many more avoidable ones during early growth years. The CDC says 95% of us have endocrine-disrupting toxins (BPA from plastics) in our body.[<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/index.html">5</a>] Newborn infants have an average of <b>287</b> <b>toxins</b> in their umbilical cords![<a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php">6</a>]<br />
<br />
But I had no idea back then how much food reactions, and toxins — including toxins from things such as plastics coming in contact with the food — gut health, and the need for food supplements (Vitamin D, K, B vitamins, melatonin, tryptophan, EMPowerPlus and more) would feature so prominently in the mystery of both my daughters' severe, unrelenting “mental” illnesses of anxiety, depression, ultradian cycling bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum (schizoaffective) disorders.<br />
<br />
Yep. I was the skeptical woman who completely trusted the medical industry rather than, like the woman on the board with her sister, giving any credence to my father sending me information and food supplements. I am ashamed to say it – but I completely understand that woman. I blew off my dad, with all his hours spent reading the research literature, and even his lovingly packaged supplements.<br />
<br />
Ah well. Live and learn. I am just glad my kids forgive me for my former arrogance and ignorance. After all, I was from a science background. I shared the same hubris as apparently much of the medical professionals we encountered do.@ I did not understand "<b>Integrative</b> Medicine," confusing it with "<b>Alternative</b> Medicine." And, I did not give credence to the thousand-plus year history of medical science the pharmaceutical industry has brainwashed us to call "<b>Alternative</b>" and to deride. <i>AND</i>, the term "<a href="http://www.functionalmedicine.org/about/whatis.asp"><b>Functional</b> Medicine</a>" had not yet even been coined.<br />
<br />
<i>@ Note: We now surround ourselves with medical professionals who are incredible - so present company are not included in the list of past arrogant medical professionals.</i><br />
<br />
If you read nothing else, at least get some ideas from my book, and read these books by Dr. Doris Rapp, MD - pediatrician, allergist, and board-certified specialist in environmental medicine, and watch this video!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1880509083&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0984154302&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> </center><center> </center><center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fRDpcWZUEiU" width="480"></iframe>
</center>
<br />
<br />
Here is her website: <a href="http://www.drrapp.com/">http://www.drrapp.com/</a><br />
<br />
<b>If you have read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">my book</a>, you'll know - our lives would have been different if we had read her book twenty years ago!</b><br />
<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>Resources:</b><br />
[1] <a href="http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih5/mental/guide/info-mental-a.htm">NIH Educational Guide to Mental Health</a><br />
<br />
[2] <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maggie-kozel-md/childrens-health-care_b_803167.html" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">Little Pharma: The Medication of U.S. Children by Maggie Kozel, MD. -- <i>The Huffington Post</i></a><br />
<br />
[3] AAP department of Community and Specialty Pediatrics. "Resources Help Primary Care Clinicians Address Mental Health Concerns." AAP News 31 (7) 34<br />
<br />
[4] Jerry L. Rushton, et al. "Pediatrician and Family Physician Prescription of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors." Pediatrics 105 (6): e82<br />
<br />
[5] <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/index.html">National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals</a><br />
<br />
[6] <a href="http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/execsumm.php">Body Burden — The Pollution in Newborns: A benchmark investigation of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides in umbilical cord blood</a> <i>Environmental Working Group</i>, July 14, 2005<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Related Books:</b><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1591810965&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0345494512&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0553378678&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1934716154&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1934716073&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416549722&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1596912677&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B001QTV4M2&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/itsnome-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=5" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see a more complete list of suggested books. <br />
<br />
<b>Related Blogs, Sites, and Posts:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodsensitivityjournal.com/2011/02/food-sensitivities-mental-illness-and.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Food Sensitivities, Mental Illness and a New Recipe</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://naturallyengineered.com/blog/the-overmedication-of-america/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">The Overmedication of America </a></li>
<li><a href="http://investigatingmentalillness.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;">Investigating Underlying Medical Causes of Mental Symptoms</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">IAADP - Psychiatric Service Dog Tasks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.acompromisedgeneration.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">A Compromised Generation</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://dorisrappmd.com/" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Doris Rapp, MD</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Additional Reading:</b><br />
<ul compact="compact">
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Important topics such as preparing for a new doctor's visit: Preparing medical history, symptom history, and medication history, and record delivery</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/stress-connection-meeting-hormonal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;"> The Stress Connection: Meeting Hormonal, Nutritional, and Metabolic Needs </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/11/hard-to-find-but-commonly-needed.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Commonly Needed Hypoallergenic Supplements</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-health-nutrition-and-epigenetics.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Nutritional Epigenetics and the Brain</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Inflammation and the Brain</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-mental-book-availability.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">It's not <i>Mental</i> - It's Just Illness</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-swallow-pills-video.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">How to Swallow Pills - Video</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/10/plastics-brain.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Plastics and The Brain</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/is-correctly-diagnosed-case-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Is a Correctly Diagnosed Case of Schizophrenia, by Definition, <i>Mental</i>?</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/brain-health-vitamin-d.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Brain Health: Vitamin D</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;"> Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Bipolar and Off Her Meds</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/09/bipolar-cancer-stroke-whats-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Bipolar, Cancer, Stroke. What's One Connection?</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/autism-is-not-mental-illness.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Autism Is <b>Not</b> a <i>Mental</i> Illness</a> </li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 7 October 2011</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-47763241638541632942011-01-15T13:13:00.005-05:002011-11-18T18:08:04.132-05:00Childhood-onset Schizoaffective - A Medical Doctor's Perspective of the CaseWe are fortunate to have the following perspective about my daughter's case (<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-mental-book-availability.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">and the book</span></a>) from her General Practitioner, Dr. David Marwil, M.D.<br />
<br />
Please note that Dr. Marwil is a traditional doctor (not specializing in "alternative medicine" nor "complementary" or "naturopathic," etc.) He is a regular GP who goes the extra mile for his patients.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Jeanie Wolfson and her daughter Keri walked into my office several years ago, frustrated and discouraged. For many years, Keri had been experiencing profound fatigue, sleepiness, headaches, body pains, and hallucinations.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>She had seen a long list of doctors, including endocrinologists, neurologists, and psychiatrists, and she was on an even longer list of medications. No diagnosis had ever been given that adequately explained her symptoms.<br />
<br />
Jeanie was engaged in her daughter’s health care. When she wasn’t working at her full-time job, she occasionally spent time on the Internet looking for causes of Keri’s symptoms, where she encountered esoteric disorders never before heard of by Keri’s physicians.<br />
<br />
Compiling a new history from the very beginning, I realized that poor sleep, excessive sleep, and REM-like (dream-like) hallucinations had plagued Keri from a very young age. Knowing <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/07/sleep-critical-yet-under-addressed.html">the importance of sleep</a>, I sent Keri for a sleep study, which surprisingly had never before been suggested.<br />
<br />
Armed with the idea that <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/03/abnormal-sleep-as-cause-of-mental.html">sleep problems</a> could be contributing to her daughter’s collection of problems, Jeanie ultimately came across the name of a cutting-edge <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-endocrinologist-who-is.html">endocrinologist</a> in Nevada, who, after speaking with her, thought he might be able to help her daughter. Jeanie and Keri made the trip, and after exhaustive testing, the doctor found numerous anomalies in Keri’s blood, bone, and intestinal absorption. He came up with a theory about what could possibly be causing all her problems, and he began treatment in an attempt to help alleviate them. He also included me in the loop. As results of tests were compiled, I was able to review them to continue Keri’s care as her primary physician.<br />
<br />
Keri seemed to feel a little better after starting medical treatment. She was by no means well, but some of her symptoms improved, such as low bone-density, pain, and frequent infections. Upon review of her test results, I noticed that <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/brain-health-thyroid-hormones.html">her thyroid level was a little low</a>. I didn’t think her level was low enough to cause even subtle symptoms, and yet she had florid symptoms of low thyroid, such as fatigue, sleepiness, depression, dry skin, brittle hair, lack of menstruation, body aches, and feeling cold. When we started her on thyroid hormone treatment, her low-thyroid symptoms dramatically improved. She was no longer as sleepy. She began to menstruate, her skin and hair improved, and her mood brightened. She could go to school, pay attention in class, and do her homework. I was amazed that something so subtle could cause such profound symptoms.<br />
<br />
Keri exhibited other symptoms, including hallucinations and insomnia, which did not fit a diagnosis of low thyroid. Neither did these symptoms seem connected to other hormones on which Keri was low, including cortisol and progesterone. Yet these symptoms also partially improved with the introduction of additional hormones. Obviously, there was more to the puzzle.<br />
<br />
I learned from research articles Jeanie brought in that certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies can affect the function of some of the brain’s chemical receptors. She found supplements that contained large amounts of these nutrients. Interestingly, Keri’s symptoms improved after starting these supplements and worsened when they were withheld. I developed a new respect for the role of nutrients and herbs in promoting health. I no longer looked at them as “alternative” medicine, but rather as “integrative” medicine.<br />
<br />
My experience with Keri and Jeanie helped me to rethink how I practice medicine. I have always tried to take the approach I learned during training, which is to collect a list of symptoms from the patient, come up with a working diagnosis, then go back and elicit other symptoms to fit the diagnosis. If the patient’s symptoms did not fit my preferred diagnosis, I would dismiss them as confounding and irrelevant. Now I take the approach of collecting the symptoms, fitting them into diagnostic categories, and holding in reserve the unexplained symptoms. As in a crossword puzzle, if you don’t know the answer to a particular clue, you can go on to the next one. Once more boxes are filled in, you may eventually find the answer.<br />
<br />
Our patients are giving us the clues, and every one of them is important. As physicians, we must keep our minds open and vigilant. There is much we don’t know. The paradigm has always been to follow prescribed diagnostic protocols and evidence-based treatment. Insurance companies have picked up on this paradigm and thus limit their coverage only to those particular protocols and treatments. The problem is, much of what we do is not evidence-based, so we must rely on critical thinking and intuition, that which we refer to as the art of medicine.<br />
<br />
Jeanie’s dogged pursuit of a solution to Keri’s problem, coupled with our serendipitous discovery of abnormal blood tests, gave Keri back her life. God bless Jeanie for the sacrifice she made for her daughter, and God bless Keri for the suffering she endured. Now the time for suffering is over, but the time for a more comprehensive approach to patient care is just beginning.<br />
<br />
Written <b>by David Marwil, M.D. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Related Entries:</b><br />
<ul compact="compact">
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/01/sets-of-symptoms-not-causeget.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Sets of Symptoms--Not the Cause–Get Diagnostic Labels</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/musings-on-medical-mysteries.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Musings on “Medical Mysteries”</span> </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-are-some-other-known-medical_08.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Some Medical Causes of Mental Symptoms</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-doctor-visit-medication-history.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Medication History</span></a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-doctor-visit-medical-history.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Medical History</span></a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/05/doctor-went-dumpster-diving.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Record Delivery</span></a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-endocrinologist-who-is.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Psychiatrist vs Endocrinologist: Who is Responsible?</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Bipolar and Off Her Meds</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia </span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/is-correctly-diagnosed-case-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Is a Correctly Diagnosed Case of Schizophrenia, by Definition, “Mental”?</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Inflammation of Body and Brain</span></a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/p/important-topics.html"><span style="color: #3333ff;">More. . .</span></a></li>
</ul>
<b>Suggested Books:</b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0688119077&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1600376703&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0060740957&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615144314&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=0345494512" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&npa=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=1416549714" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0071597255&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com/Jeanie Wolfson</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b></span> 11 February 2011 (Links added)Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-33814308630839159712011-01-09T16:33:00.007-05:002012-01-22T18:27:29.431-05:00Brain Health: Thyroid HormonesThere is good reason the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209"><span style="color: #3333ff;">It's not mental</span></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, talks so much about thyroid hormones, dedicating an appendix to that topic. Not only were those hormone levels intertwined with both my daughters’ cases of ultradian cycling “bipolar” and “schizoaffective” (schizophrenia with a mood disorder), but the topic has been in psychiatric textbooks, and involved in the research on these brain symptoms, for going on half a century.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Many doctors only measure TSH – Thyroid stimulating hormone - from the pituitary. If the level lies within a broad range of statistical “normalcy” for the population, they say “the thyroid is fine” without ever measuring the levels of actual thyroid hormone (from the thyroid gland). Not only can this be misleading, even when measuring actual thyroid hormone levels, what is optimal for one person may be in the upper range of “normal,” whereas another may do well with levels in the bottom range. For some, bottom range of “normal” may still lead to pathology – symptoms – due to additional factors such as genetics, antibodies, ability to convert one form of thyroid hormone (T4) to the form cells require (T3), levels of nutrients and other hormones, and ability to transport the hormone across the blood-brain barrier.<br />
<br />
So much has been written about this topic that I will not reference an article here for each statement above (see my book for references). Instead I will send you to some major informational sources (see BELOW) about <a href="http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hypothyroidism-000093.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">hypothyroidism </span></a> (low thyroid hormone levels) and <a href="http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000356.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">hyperthyroidism </span></a>(high thyroid levels) in relation to the brain (i.e. “mental” illness). <br />
<br />
Here is <b><a href="http://www.bpkids.org/learn/library/hypothyroidism-is-it-contributing-to-your-childs-symptoms" target="”_blank”"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Hypothyroidism: Is It Contributing to Your Child's Symptoms?</span></a></b> from a CABF (Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation) newsletter quoting the medical doctor who contributed information on the topic in “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209">It's not mental</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.” Or for those who are more scientific-minded, go straight to these wonderful articles referenced from Current Psychiatry Online (login required), but hopefully you can go straight to these cached versions:<br />
<a href="http://www.psychiatryfindit.com/cachedhtml?hl=keywords&kw=xyzi&cacheid=ds3-va:p:1001t:3872279972048:ebb1ee4741fbab36:4d1741c8&scopeid=defLink&qgeneral=geracioti&title=Identifying+hypothyroidism%3Fs+psychiatric+presentations+%3F+Current+Psychiatry+Online&docstart=0&type=defLink&docnum=4&useraction=viewCachedHTML" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Identifying hypothyroidism’s psychiatric presentations</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.psychiatryfindit.com/cachedhtml?hl=keywords&kw=xyz&cacheid=ds3-va:p:1001t:5132676143952:1de3b7d08c8ec293:4d2ab978&scopeid=defLink&qgeneral=geracioti&title=Identifying+hyperthyroidism%3Fs+psychiatric+presentations+%3F+Current+Psychiatry+Online&docstart=0&type=defLink&docnum=1&useraction=viewCachedHTML" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Identifying hyperthyroidism’s psychiatric presentations</span></a><br />
<br />
In a nutshell for hyp<b>o</b>thyroidism (low thyroid level):<br />
<br />
➢ Patients diagnosed with mental illnesses, especially those with a mood component, are more likely to have the biochemical involvement of a thyroid hormone imbalance than the general population. <br />
<br />
➢ Patients with thyroid disturbance and psychiatric symptoms are most often diagnosed with one of the following: <br />
<ul>
<li>atypical depression (which may present as dysthymia)</li>
<li>bipolar spectrum syndrome (including manic-depression, mixed mania, bipolar depression, rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, and premenstrual syndromes)</li>
<li> borderline personality disorder </li>
<li>psychotic disorder (typically, paranoid psychosis)</li>
</ul>
➢ Psychiatric symptoms of hypothyroidism can include: <br />
<ul>
<li>psychosis</li>
<li>depression </li>
<li>mood instability</li>
<li>mania </li>
<li>anxiety</li>
<li>hypersomnia</li>
<li>apathy</li>
<li>lack of energy</li>
<li>impaired memory</li>
<li>psychomotor slowing</li>
<li>attentional problems</li>
</ul>
➢ Timing of blood draws for testing matters and should include so much more than TSH, such as <br />
<ul>
<li>free triiodothyronine (T3) </li>
<li>free levothyroxine (T4) </li>
<li>total T3 </li>
<li>total T4 </li>
<li>antithyroid antibodies </li>
<li>serum cholesterol </li>
<li>prolactin</li>
<li>and even nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D.</li>
</ul>
<br />
(A list of tests for possible problems with thyroid functioning or hormone utilization suggested by Dr. Thomas Geracioti is included in the book and a longer list of possible tests are included in an appendix.)<br />
<br />
Interestingly, when a regular family GP finally switched my older daughter’s prescription T4 thyroid hormone to a prescription natural dessicated type, and increased her thyroid hormone levels to the upper range (they had been on the bottom-most number), we got the first glimmer of real hope for her in over a decade.<br />
<br />
Although we had a psychiatric textbook writer inform us this technique (increasing thyroid hormone level) has been in psychiatric textbooks for decades, and even though she had symptoms of low thyroid such as the dry cracking skin, mood problems and more, her psychiatrist’s response, was “But, I don’t understand! Why increase it when it was normal?” <br />
<br />
Fine. He is not an endocrinologist, but the endocrinologists don’t seem to be informed about psychiatric care (see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-endocrinologist-who-is.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Psychiatrist vs Endocrinologist: Who is Responsible?</span></a>)<br />
<br />
Note that my older daughter had hypothyroidism before this, and was already on hormone, but the endocrinologist had brought her level up to the rock-bottom number of “normal” and rather than re-test and readjust, even though she still had symptoms – had just left it there, feeling her job was done.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.drlowe.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Dr. John Lowe</a> explains that <b>thyroid hormone resistance</b> began being investigated in the 1950s, yet many endocrinologists still have never heard of it, or believe it’s a rare condition.<br />
<blockquote>
<i>“The difference between hypothyroidism where there is a deficiency of thyroid hormone, and thyroid hormone resistance, is that the same amount of thyroid hormone—within the laboratories’ reference range—that would maintain normal metabolism in cells don’t do so adequately.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i>Those people [with thyroid hormone resistance] need a much higher dosage of hormones—a dosage that would cause most endocrinologists to scream, “You’re going to die of heart attack if you don’t get off that,”</i> </blockquote>
<br />
Now that my older daughter is doing so well (see <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html">Bipolar and Off Her Meds</a>), the psychiatrist asked her for articles on these medical treatments that have worked to stabilize her when he never could. After all, there are so many more like her with intractable ultra-ultra-rapid cycling bipolar (ultradian cycling bipolar). Well, I have just shared some of the articles with everyone. But this information is supposed to be right in the psychiatric textbooks – unless it has been removed in the newer textbooks, so influenced by a massive pharmaceutical industry which is making billions of dollars on people using psychiatric medications for life.<br />
<br />
<b>Related Books:</b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1890572152&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1600376703&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0060740957&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0615144314&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0071597255&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Additional Reading:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/03/stress-connection-meeting-hormonal.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;"> The Stress Connection: Meeting Hormonal, Nutritional, and Metabolic Needs </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/10/plastics-brain.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;"> Plastics & The Brain</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Inflammation of Body and Brain</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2007/12/is-correctly-diagnosed-case-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Is a Correctly Diagnosed Case of Schizophrenia, by Definition, “Mental”?</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/brain-health-vitamin-d.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Brain Health: Vitamin D</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia </span></a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b></span> 27 February 2011Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-45672202586072261522010-12-31T15:42:00.011-05:002012-01-29T11:39:33.473-05:00Brain Health: Vitamin DJust in time for the winter months is a reminder about sunlight, <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20974959" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">blue light</span></a>, sleep, and that all-important hormone, <b>vitamin D</b>. <br />
<br />
We’ve talked at length about the importance of <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/07/sleep-critical-yet-under-addressed.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">sleep hygiene</span></a>—<a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/sleep-timing-of-melatonin-light-dark.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">the sleep-wake cycle</span></a>, diet and exercise—but also of critical importance is the “sunshine vitamin,” the hormone we call “Vitamin D.” Readers of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;">BOOK- "It's not <span style="font-style: italic;">Mental</span>"</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=itsnome-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0982805209" style="border: medium none ! important; color: #3333ff; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> know how all this tied in to my daughter's full recovery from bipolar/schizoaffective disorder.<br />
<br />
Historically, the FDA made a grave error in its vitamin D recommendation level due to a misunderstanding in the scientific community about what vitamin D does. Their recommendation was just high enough to prevent immediate damage (rickets) and immediate death but, at the time, they did not realize that this did not prevent slower long-term damage (“mental” illness, autoimmune diseases, lower immune function, <a href="http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/obesity_epidemic.html#Vitamin_D_Obesity">obesity</a>) and earlier deaths (cancer, heart attacks).<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
One of the most influential scientists responsible for the old FDA recommendation, Dr. Robert P. Heaney, M.D.) speaks out on the error he and his colleagues made (see video below). <br />
<br />
Note that Dr. Heaney says in his talk that which vitamin D taken and which is measured in the blood matters – vitamin D3, not D2 is what the body requires, and it is the serum total 25(OH)D status that matters. Also, the “recommended” levels is actually the MINIMUM level – something to keep in mind when we read about “recommended” levels of a nutrient. (that video is embedded last, below) <br />
<br />
Here is a very short CBS News video from 2008 stating that the new FDA recommendation for children is DOUBLE that of their previous recommendation. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROPuQk8ZSHc&feature=related%22" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Doctors Now Say to Double Vitamin D</span></a> Note that from personal experience we found not to just go by taking supplements of Vitamin D3 since <b>not everyone can absorb and utilize it the same</b>; Testing of a person's Vitamin D level is necessary. For instance, one person may have optimal levels on 2000 units per day while someone else may need more than 10,000 units per day. So have your doctor check your levels and not just go by the amount you ingest.<br />
<br />
Although the <b>minimal blood level for vitamin D is 32</b>, our experience has been that many doctors say between <b>50-70 is optimal</b>, so they want us to supplement at least up to that blood level of 50. <br />
<br />
Next, some people have a vitamin D Cell receptor polymorphism necessitating the intake of more vitamin D3 just to have an adequate amount in their cells. Again, we found this out the hard way, when one family member could not seem to get her vitamin D level up and there was bone involvement. At least once, you may want to either get genetically tested for this, or consider the <a href="http://www.spectracell.com/micronutrient-testing-comprehensive-nutritional-panel/">SpectraCell Laboratories Micronutrient</a> analysis which will determine the level <i><b>inside</b></i> your cells. <br />
<br />
Next is a wonderfully easy-to understand 10 minute video exploring the history, current knowledge, and what to do about getting the proper dose and proper form (i.e. D3 rather than D2): <br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfa_z0KTwDo?fs=1&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kfa_z0KTwDo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>I highly recommend this lecture,</b> below, (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">What is a Vitamin D Deficiency? </span></a>) for those intrepid souls wanting to watch the entertaining, fascinating, eye-opening full-length (45 minute) explanation of the importance of higher levels of vitamin D levels and what a vitamin D deficiency actually is and how the wrong recommendation occurred <b>straight from the scientist responsible – Dr. Robert P. Heaney, M.D. </b><br />
<br />
Note that he stresses that all these “recommended” amounts, are actually the MINIMUM amounts possible to prevent really bad things from happening to us! He says that since we dropped the word “minimum” the general public now thinks the FDA recommendations are optimal when they are <b>not</b>. They are still <b>MINIMAL</b>.<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9D" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">What is a Vitamin D Deficiency? </span></a><br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/emjCzaHtSrg?fs=1&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/emjCzaHtSrg?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
For those who would prefer reading, here is a Scientific American article about vitamin D and brain function:<br />
<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=does-d-make-a-difference" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3333ff;">Does Vitamin D Improve Brain Function? New studies show low vitamin D levels may impair cognitive function </span></a><br />
<br />
And lastly:<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qabHh1t-1_0?fs=1&hl=en_US">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qabHh1t-1_0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<b>Related Entries:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/09/brain-health-nutrition-and-epigenetics.html" target="_blank">Brain Health: Nutrition and Epigenetics</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/01/brain-health-gluten-disconnection.html" target="_blank">Brain Health: The Gluten (Dis)Connection </a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/nutrition-genes-and-brain-dysfunctions.html" target="_blank">Nutrition, genes, and brain dysfunctions: Folate</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/01/brain-health-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish.html" target="_blank">Brain Health: Omega-3 Fatty Acids ("Fish Oil")</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" target="_blank">Inflammation of Body and Brain</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Related Books:</b><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0470455756&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1594630674&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1458757900&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1416549714&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=160327300X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1590771575&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">www.ItsNotMental.com</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b></span> 15 December 2011Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-30004859322594025282010-12-05T12:35:00.020-05:002012-05-31T21:48:47.195-04:00It‘s Not Mental — The Book Description — Availability<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Otherwise mentally healthy
children can experience sleep problems, symptoms of depression, bipolar
mood swings, and/or psychosis.</b> </span><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;">The <a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/06/recipient-in-3-book-award-categories.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">award-winning book</a>, "<b style="color: magenta;">It's Not <i>Mental</i></b><span style="color: magenta;"> - Finding Innovative Support and Medical Treatment for a Child Diagnosed with a Severe Mental Illness</span>" is currently available on <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982805209?ie=UTF8&tag=itsnome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0982805209" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, </b>Barnes and Noble and other on-line booksellers, and, in <b>Lexington and Midway, Kentucky, </b>at:<b> </b></span><br />
<ul style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.morrisbookshop.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Morris Bookshop</a>, </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.goodfoods.coop/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Good Foods Co-op</a>, </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.josephbeth.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Joseph-Beth Booksellers</a>, </b>and<b> </b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a href="http://www.themidwaycenter.com/" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Midway Center for Integrative Medicine</a>.</b></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Being distributed through Ingram Books, <span style="background-color: yellow;">any book store can order a copy of the book for you. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">If you live in Lexington, KY, please shop local! </span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><b>***********************</b></span><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;">
</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Book Description</span></b></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Can a person diagnosed with a mental illness—a brain disorder—in reality have a physical illness—a disorder affecting the brain? “It’s Not <i>Mental</i>” is the compelling yet educational story of Keri, a highly gifted, learning-disabled child diagnosed with mental illness. It is also the story of her parents’ persistence in finding help for their daughter, help that ultimately led to a future filled with promise.<br />
<br />
Beginning in infancy, Keri began to experience a range of increasingly debilitating symptoms. Sleep dysfunction, body pains, attentional difficulties, tics, obsessions, mood swings, and hallucinations, gradually diminished her quality of life. Before reaching her teens, she’d been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and several co-occurring conditions, while underlying issues were ignored.<br />
<br />
At their wits’ end, Keri’s parents struggled to find comprehensive medical care for their daughter’s widening range of symptoms. What they found instead were </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">doctors too busy to listen or too rigid to look beyond a “mental” diagnosis. Without an integrated approach to her care, Keri, like many children in similar circumstances, became subject to a merry-go-round of psychiatric medications. <br />
<br />
But the author would not give up. She continued to investigate brain malfunctions, psychiatric diagnoses, hormones, diet, sleep, and immune function, all the while navigating the torturous paths of our health care system. Much of what she learned is outlined here in gripping narrative based on real-life experience. In easy-to-understand prose and with clear explanations of medical jargon, she covers topics such as: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
* Helping a child deal with hallucinations while they’re happening <br />
* Using a psychiatric service dog to give a child greater independence <br />
* Obtaining special accommodations at school <br />
* Communicating effectively with doctors <br />
* Identifying and obtaining necessary medical tests <br />
* Dealing with medication side effects</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Otherwise mentally healthy people can experience sleep problems and/or symptoms of depression, bipolar mood swings, and/or psychosis. </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman,serif; font-size: medium;"><b>It’s Not <i>Mental</i></b>
encourages us to think outside the box. It is only by tearing down the
barriers of stigma and abandoning our traditional band-aid approach to
psychiatric treatment that we can embrace more effective emotional,
educational, and medical support for these children and their underlying
condition(s). </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe></center><br />
<br />
<b>These are some symptoms discussed</b><b> because all these pertained to this one child/teen/young-adult! </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Training and using a psychiatric service dog (medical service dog) </li>
<li>Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)</li>
<li>Major Depressive Disorder</li>
<li>Anxiety Disorder</li>
<li>Kleine-Levin syndrome</li>
<li>Tourette syndrome</li>
<li>Post-Traumatic Stress disorder</li>
<li>Mood disorder</li>
<li>Bipolar disorder</li>
<li>Psychotic disorder</li>
<li>Schizoaffective disorder</li>
<li>Fibromyalgia</li>
<li>Chronic-Fatigue syndrome</li>
<li>Narcolepsy</li>
<li>Hypothalamic dysfunction</li>
<li>Convergence insufficiency</li>
<li>Intestinal malabsorption</li>
<li>Mitochondrial dysfunction</li>
<li>Nutritional insufficiencies</li>
<li>Idiopathic Hypersomnia </li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Related Reading:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/01/childhood-onset-schizoaffective-medical.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Childhood-onset Schizoaffective - A Medical Doctor's Perspective of the Case</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/02/bipolar-and-off-her-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Bipolar and Off Her Meds</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative Approach</a>
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-longer-bipolar-no-longer.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">No Longer Bipolar / No longer Schizophrenic - Recovered, In Remission, or Misdiagnosed ???</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/recovered-no-meds.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Recovered - No Longer on Psychiatric Medications</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/01/sets-of-symptoms-not-causeget.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank"> Sets of Symptoms--Not the Cause–Get Diagnostic Labels</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/04/inflammation-of-body-and-brain.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Inflammation of Body and Brain</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-and-symptoms-of-schizophrenia.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Gluten Sensitivity and Symptoms of Schizophrenia</a><br />
</li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 01 January 2012</span></div>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6670822583067358845.post-7486480629410041562010-12-02T09:53:00.002-05:002011-11-28T13:43:50.312-05:00How to SWALLOW PILLS - VideoThe issue of how to teach children to swallow pills gets brought up so often!
In my family we started by giving the children tiny hard candies to swallow with a sip of water.
<br />
<br />
That was fine, but this training video from Dr. Bonnie Kaplan in Canada is awesome! It is for both the child <i>AND</i> parents to watch.<br />
<a name='more'></a>ALL children should learn how to swallow pills, hopefully before the necessity arises.
<br />
<br />
Here is the main page with the training video on it: <br />
<a href="http://www.ucalgary.ca/research4kids/pillswallowing" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Better than a spoonful of sugar - how to swallow pills</a><br />
<br />
or go straight to the training video:
<a href="http://www.ucalgary.ca/research4kids/pillswallowing/new-method" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">The New Method of Swallowing</a>
<br />
Notice that TWO WEEKS of daily practice is necessary.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Original Article on the Research:</b>
<br />
<a href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=863233750&msgid=4417366&act=3QBF&c=28700&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucalgary.ca%2Fresearch4kids%2Ffiles%2Fresearch4kids%2FKaplan%2520et%2520al%2520pill%2520swallowing%25202010.pdf" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Click here to read the published results</a> of Dr. Kaplan and her research team in the <i>Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Important Articles </b><ul>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/11/looking-beyond-symptoms-integrative.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Looking Beyond the Symptoms – An Integrative Approach</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-have-sick-children.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">We have Sick Children</a> </li>
</ul>
<b>Books:</b><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<br />
<center><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0982805209&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=0916764206&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=itsnome-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1880509083&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</center>
<br /><br />
<b>and Preparing for doctor visits:</b><br />
<ul compact="compact">
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-doctor-visit-medication-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Medication History</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-doctor-visit-medical-history.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Medical History</a><br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2008/05/doctor-went-dumpster-diving.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Record Delivery</a> ("The Doctor Went Dumpster-Diving")</li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/asking-right-doctor-right-question.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Asking the Right Doctor the Right Question</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/02/psychiatrist-vs-endocrinologist-who-is.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Psychiatrist vs Endocrinologist: Who is Responsible?</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-swallow-pills-video.html" style="color: #3333ff;" target="_blank">Learn to Swallow Pills</a></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Property of </b><a href="http://www.itsnotmental.com/" target="_blank">http://www.itsnotmental.com/</a><br />
<b>Last Updated:</b> 28 November 2011</span>Jeaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15196678364556928854noreply@blogger.com0