International Bipolar Foundation
From the International Bipolar Foundation, click to visit our website
      
Greetings!

                  

Greetings all!

Join me in welcoming our new Executive Director, John Scholte. We are excited about all the great ideas that John brings to the position. If you would like to contact John, here is his direct email address: [email protected].

Sincerely,


Muffy Walker

P.S. Feel free to also contact me at anytime Muffy 



March 12, 2011  
If you are in a crisis,
please call:

1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
or
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Join Our Mailing List
Bipolar Links  

International Bipolar Foundation is pleased to welcome

our new Executive Director, John Scholte

john scholte 

John Scholte is originally from Parchment, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Hope College and a Master's Degree from Western Theological Seminary. He started Community Life Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado and then served Community Reformed Church in Freeport, Illinois. In 1996, John moved to San Diego to become the Marketing and Public Relations Director and Administrator for St. Paul's Senior Homes & Services. In 2005 he joined New Alternatives, Inc. to establish the Legacy Corps program providing unique intergenerational respite care to the county of San Diego. John is also a Core Faculty Professor with Southern States University teaching Humanities, History, Business Ethics, and Speech. He also serves as Board Chair for Oaks & Acorns, an intergenerational program throughout schools in San Diego County.
Currently, John resides in Mira Mesa with his partner, Kimberley, and together they have five children. His interests include travel, basketball, boogie boarding, reading, public speaking, working out, and Asian studies.

International Bipolar Foundation is pleased to announce

FREE MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES

2nd Thursday of each month; 5:00 - 7:00p.m.
(5:00p.m. social, 5:30-7:00 p.m. lecture and Q&A)
Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, Building 12 Auditorium
10905 Road to the Cure, San Diego, CA 92121  Directions

Thursday,
April 14: Guest Speaker; Maggie Reese; author of Runaway Mind 

 

Maggie Reese 

Runaway Mind relates the story of author Maggie Reese, detailing her journey with bipolar disorder. In this memoir, she reveals her battle with the illness during her young life. She shares her harrowing struggle with the illness through her own words along with the words of other women close to her -- her mom, sister, best friend, and mother-in-law. Reese offers readers her personal experience with this disorder and how she and her family dealt with it -- from symptoms to causes, to treatment and recovery.

The author's race with bipolar disorder will serve as inspiration to others who are enduring the same malady. Through Runaway Mind, she sends out a message of faith, provides strength, and encourages positive outlook in order to survive the illness and to further enjoy life to the fullest.

 
Please R.S.V.P. to Ashley Reitzin:


IN MAY: Dr. Russ Federman on May 5. College & the Bipolar Student

 

NEWS ALERTS

Why does U.S. have high bipolar disorder rates?
A survey of 61,000 people in 11 countries showed that 4.4 percent of Americans have the disorder, which is characterized by shifts in mood from deep sadness to an almost euphoric state called mania. read more here
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Second opinion helps pinpoint bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder can often be confused with depression, unless there is a second opinion.
Researchers have found that as many as 69 per cent of initial diagnoses of people with bipolar disorder were incorrect, underlining the importance of seeking a second opinion. read more here
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Big Pharma Seeks Little Patients, Part 1
Since pharma discovered the ka-ching in pediatric psychopharmacology, millions of kids are on ADHD meds and other psychotropic drugs for conduct disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, mixed manias, social phobia, anxiety, and assorted "spectrum" disorders. read more here
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Validation of a specific measure to assess health-related quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: the 'Tolerability and quality of life'(TOOL) questionnaire
 Perception of quality of life may differ depending on the perspective. The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the 'TOlerability and quality Of Life'(TOOL) questionnaire, a specific self-rated instrument to evaluate the impact of side effects of antipsychotic drugs on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). read more here
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PMS mood swings tied to bipolar illness
The course of bipolar disorder may be worse in women who have premenstrual symptom exacerbation of their mood symptoms, according to a new prospective one-year study. read more here
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Half of Bipolar Patients Don't Receive Proper Treatment
Even though bipolar disorder is considered a lifetime illness since symptoms can be seen starting in early childhood, the brutality of additional disorders and treatment needs for those are often ignored, especially in low-income countries.

Experts from the World Health Organization's World Mental Health Survey Initiative surveyed 61,392 adults in 11 countries including Mexico, Brazil, Lebanon, United States, China, Japan, Bulgaria, Colombia, Romania, India and New Zealand. The researchers found that there was an estimated prevalence of 2.4%of bipolar spectrum disorder (BPS) around the world. read more here 

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Prevalence and Correlates of Bipolar Spectrum Disorder in the World Mental Health Survey Initiative
Archives of General Psychiatry, 03/15/2011
Merikangas KR et al. - Despite cross-site variation in the prevalence rates of bipolar spectrum disorder (BPS), the severity, impact, and patterns of comorbidity were remarkably similar internationally. The uniform increases in clinical correlates, suicidal behavior, and comorbidity across each diagnostic category provide evidence for the validity of the concept of BPS.
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Longitudinal analysis of cognitive performances and structural brain changes in late-life bipolar disorder
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 03/16/2011
Delaloye C et al. - The lack of distinction between bipolar disorder (BD) patients and controls in respect to the 2-year changes in cognition and MRI findings supports the notion that this disorder does not have a significant adverse impact on cognitive and brain aging. From this point of view, the present results convey a message of hope for patients suffering from BD.
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Depression symptom ratings in geriatric patients with bipolar mania
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 03/16/2011
Sajatovic M et al. - The preliminary findings suggest that moderate to severe depressive symptoms occur in about one in ten bipolar manic elders. Future studies are needed to further evaluate symptom profiles, clinical correlates, and treatments for bipolar older adults with combined manic and depressive symptoms. read more here
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New Web Site for Caregivers
A new information website for the caregivers of people with bipolar disorder has been launched to help the thousands of families and friends who live with and look after sufferers of the condition.
website
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Cognitive complaints may signal depression in bipolar disorder
MedWire News: The severity of depressive symptoms does not account for the recognized discrepancy between self-reported and objective measures of cognition in patients with bipolar disorder, study results show. read more here
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Pediatric cyclothymia is distinct subtype of bipolar disorder
MedWire News: Cyclothymia is a valid and distinct diagnostic entity among children and adolescents in much the same sense as the adult form of the disorder, study results show. read more here
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Children And Young People In South London Could Be Hit By Mental Health Services Being Axed, Says Unite
Thousands of children and young people could be hit by proposed cuts to mental health services in Lewisham in south London. read more here

Come Walk with us!!

 NAMI Walk 2011 - Saturday, April 16

                                                         8 am - Balboa Park


Join the International Bipolar Foundation Team and  help us show our support  for a great organization. 

It does not cost anything to be part of the walk. Make a fashion statement while promoting our cause with our brand new IBPF t-shirts.  Dogs are welcome.  Come and enjoy an inspirational morning in beautiful Balboa Park, and help us make our goal of 30 walkers this year!

Join our team here

5k Walk � Saturday, April 16, 2011
Balboa Park � 6th & Quince � 6:30AM Registration Opens
8:00AM Walk Begins

(note: IBPF has made a contribution to NAMI for you: you do not need to make a personal donation)
For more information, contact Ashley or Karen)



 
bpmag logo

You have the power


A downbeat study published in BMC Psychiatry earlier this month actually has something of a silver lining.

British researchers looked at nearly 800 patients with bipolar disorder or another serious mental illness and found that nearly two-thirds were overweight or obese, and a disproportionate number had diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and raised cholesterol.

Here's the upside: All those conditions respond well to lifestyle changes such as cutting out cigarettes, eating better and getting more exercise.

And if "exercise" sounds like a dirty word, try thinking outside the box. Kara S., for example, uses a hula hoop to improve her fitness and her mood.

"For me, it was all about finding something that was fun-that didn't sound like work," Kara says in "Fun Fitness" (Summer 2009). For others, that might mean switching from a workout at the gym to something fresh like a Zumba class, or hunting down an "exergaming" program for the Wii console at home. read more here
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'I'll find you in the morning sun  ...'


Newswise, March 14, 2011-Every spring and fall when we change the clocks, it takes the body a few weeks to acclimate to the new schedule. For those of us with bipolar disorder, messing with the body's circadian rhythms-basically, the sleep-wake cycle-can mess with our moods, too. New research focused on "daylight design techniques" for schools sheds a little light (so to speak) on why the time switch makes such a difference.

The circadian system responds to short-wavelength light, a blue spectrum that's absent from most artificial lighting. When the eyes absorb this blue wavelength from natural light in the morning, that triggers a healthy pattern for getting to sleep in the evening, explains Mariana Figueiro, PhD, an associate professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and program director and principal investigator at the RPI Lighting Research Center.

Her recommendations for adolescents are good for all of us:  To safeguard our sleep, we "should increase morning daylight exposure year-round and decrease evening daylight exposure in the spring."


 
club logo
club excite

Enroll Now!
10% Discount for Sign ups before March 31st! 

ClubXcite Summer Camps 2011

San Diego's Premier Summer Camps for Kids and Teens Who Enjoy Personalized Attention
Dear Friends of ClubXcite,

       Summer is approaching and parents trying to find quality summer opportunities for children and teens with social, emotional, or behavioral struggles can be a challenge. ClubXcite offers a variety of small group Summer Camps as well as one on one in-home support. The focus of our camp is for kids to have a successful experience through sports, field trips, and exciting adventures! With enthusiasm and energy, our Counselors are able to complete our mission of providing children and teens with an environment to naturally build friendships with one another. During the weeks of camp, our Social Coaches support kids with friendship-making skills, expressing and articulating emotions, picking-up on peer cues, communicating effectively, and building confidence in their own abilities. We offer a fun Tennis and Sports Camp in the morning and our Adventure Camp in the afternoons. Our Adventure Camp offers exciting community outings to help inspire and develop friendships.

*There is a $150.00 deposit required per week of Summer Camps.
TO LEARN MORE, CALL US ON:
858 779 9674

Tennis and Sports Camp
Time: 9:30am - 12pm
Drop Off: Solana Beach
*At home pick up and drop off is available.

During this camp, our Counselors will take participants to a private Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Camp run by USPTA certified head Coach Darrin Bassett. Our Social Coaches will support kids to integrate with each other, make friends, learn new tennis skills, and most importantly HAVE FUN! Kids will play a variety of different sports and enjoy various games.

Rise Above Adventure Camp
Time: 12:30 - 4pm
Drop Off: Solana Beach
*At home pick up and drop off is available.

FITNESS CLUB STARTS
The Xcite Steps Fitness Club is an opportunity for teens and adults who experience cognitive disabilities such as aspergers, high functioning autism, PDD- NOS, MDD, CDD, social anxieties, or minor disabilities to be part of a social fitness club. The club provides a safe, encouraging, and non- judgmental environment that allows its participants to open up and be themselves. Our fitness activities will be a combination of natural cardio outdoor activities such as hiking, stair climbing, walking on the beach and core strength training in a gym with a professional trainer.

To Sign Up Please Call Program Director Pam Machala 858-703-7305 or email at: [email protected]

BIRTHDAY PARTY SERVICES

If you are planning a birthday party for your son or daughter then
XciteSteps has some exciting and unique activities to make a birthday part
extra fun!  What makes XciteSteps's birthday parties so exciting is that our
fun and energetic mentors get all the kids involved in the activities.
Whether it be our own Bottle Rocket Designing, Building and Launching Party,
our Stomp Rocket Building Party, or our Adventure Parties, the children will
have a blast.  Our mentors have experience supporting children and teens
with special needs, but the parties are designed so that the child's entire
class would have fun and the activities will promote social interaction and
support friendships.

1) Bottle Rocket or Stomp Rocket Designing, Building and Launching Party
2) Adventure Outing Parties

Board game aids understanding of bipolar disorder

board game

Game players match answer cards to the questions posed on the board.
A board game has been developed to promote better understanding of bipolar disorder and how it affects sufferers.

Jocelyn Duncan, from Caerphilly, lived with the illness, characterised by severe mood swings, for decades before being diagnosed. She runs a self-help group and created the game as an education and communication tool.

It has been evaluated by Glamorgan University and health officials plan to pilot it in the community.

Ms Duncan's bipolar disorder was triggered aged eight by a major trauma in her life. She describes receiving her diagnosis finally at the age of 57 as "one of the best days of my life. I now had a face to my enemy." After a serious adverse reaction to the mood stabilising medication she was prescribed, Ms Duncan began researching ways of controlling her condition without using medication.

She established a bipolar self help group in March 2009. Whilst setting up the group she realised that there was a need for an effective communication tool to explain the complex nature of the illness.

Often sufferers found it hard to pass information about the illness on to family and friends and this inspired Ms Duncan to come up with the idea for a game. It involves a board made up of a series of squares, each containing a question.

The answers are on separate cards which then have to be matched up to the questions. Those playing the game discuss the questions and this allows everyone to get a better understanding of a bipolar sufferer's symptoms and mood swings.

She says "If I could be granted one wish it would be for everyone with a bipolar disorder to have the knowledge to understand their illness in the way that I do," she said.

"With a clearer understanding there would be large numbers of people who could have help to control their lives." Ms Duncan said the game is intended to allow people to learn about the illness and talk about it as a family or group.

"It teaches you ways to cope and helps you understand more effectively and quicker than any other system or book," she said.

"The feedback we are getting is that the boards have helped individual sufferers to mannage their illness and improve their quality of life."

Dr Anne Fothergill, a principal lecturer in mental health research at the University of Glamorgan said the game had been evaluated with nursing and social work students and qualified staff and initial results were "extremely promising indeed."

Health policy expert Professor Marcus Longley adds "Mental health is an issue that goes right across the NHS and social services. So much of the stigma attached to mental health issues comes from a lack of understanding."

He said the board game would now be "rigorously assessed".

He added: "If it is proved to work, it should prove to be a beautifully simple tool to tackle deep-rooted misunderstanding."
The web site


wrightslaw
Extended School Year (ESY) services are designed to help your child maintain his skills rather than lose ground when school is not in session.

ESY is not designed to teach of new skills or behaviors. ESY is not summer school, summer remedial programs, or child care. ESY is not limited to the summer months.

Will your child regress during the school break this Spring? This break can be a good time to collect data and information to support the need for ESY services to maintain your child's skill level.

Yet, regression-recoupment is not the only standard for determining if your child is eligible for ESY.

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, you will find out what ESY is - and is NOT. Learn about the legal standards for ESY, advocacy strategies that will help you negotiate for ESY, and how to overcome roadblocks to ESY services.

Prior Written Notice (PWN) clearly states that concerns and requests made by the parents must be accepted or rejected.

The IEP team must list the reasons for accepting or rejecting a parent's proposal. And parents, you are members of the IEP team!

In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate, you will learn how to use Prior Written Notice effectively to track your requests, the school's response, issues that were resolved and issues that are still on the table.  Find strategies and a new sample letter to help you control the outcome.





Major depression and bipolar disorder; New treatments are on the horizon for serious depression


BY KATIE CHARLES   
THE DAILY CHECKUP

dr iosif


 

The specialist: Dr. Dan Iosifescu on treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder.
As director of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program and associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Dan V. Iosifescu is a psychiatrist who specializes in treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder. His research looks for novel treatments and understanding the brain mechanisms of these severe conditions.

Who's at risk

Major depression and bipolar disorder are two of the most common disorders seen by psychiatrists.

"Depression affects between 10% and 15% of the population," says Iosifescu. "Bipolar disorder is less frequent, but still affects 2% to 4% of Americans at some point during their lifetime."

A subset of patients who do not improve after multiple treatments is termed "treatment resistant."

These mood disorders can appear similar, and depressive episodes are indistinguishable in bipolar disorder and major depression. "Depressive episodes are characterized by long periods of severe sadness and a lack of interest in doing things" says Iosifescu. "In bipolar disorder, patients experience episodes of depression alternating with episodes of extreme mood elevation called mania or hypomania, which often lead to dangerous behaviors."

Genetics and traumatic life events are the two primary risk factors for depression and bipolar disorder, which both have fairly early ages of onset.

"While bipolar typically begins early in life (50% of patients have their first episode by age 18), depression has a wider range of first onset. However, the majority of patients experience their first episode before age 30," says Iosifescu.

While some patients might have only one or two depressed or manic episodes during their lifetime and can maintain a high level of functioning, patients with treatment-resistant disorder have long, chronic episodes or a series of multiple recurrences and can be highly impaired.

Signs and symptoms

Both depression and bipolar disorder are characterized by multiple psychological and physical symptoms.

"Besides sadness and lack of interest, symptoms of depression include disrupted sleep, low self-esteem, guilt, low energy and fatigue, poor concentration and significant changes in appetite," says Iosifescu. "Importantly, some patients experience suicidal thoughts, and suicide is a cause of mortality in both depression and bipolar disorder."

While most patients can recognize their periods of depression, they are less able to recognize as abnormal the mood elevation (hypomania and mania) of bipolar disorder. "The periods of mania - an abnormally excited, hyper mood - can feel like positive energy to the patient, even as they are perceived as abnormal by those around the patient, and it impairs significantly the patients' ability to function," says Iosifescu.

"In this state, people tend to have excessive involvement in pleasurable activities, disregarding risks or potential negative consequences."

Mania is also associated with high irritability, distractedness, high self-esteem, decreased sleep without fatigue, high levels of activity and pressured speech (very rapid speech).

"Sometimes bipolar disorder is not recognized, as the patient does not remember manic episodes as abnormal. However, the most significant challenge for treatment-resistant patients is finding a treatment that does work, even if it's not standard," says Iosifescu. "A series of novel treatments currently researched, some of them in advanced development, could prove to be lifesaving for these patients."

Traditional treatment

The standard trifecta of treatment options are medications, psychotherapies (counseling or talking therapy) and somatic treatments like electric-shock therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

"We have a good number of FDA-approved drugs for depression and a smaller number for bipolar disorder," says Iosifescu. "The problem is that a lot of these medications belong to the same families of chemicals and work in relatively similar ways. So while they're incredibly helpful for many people, they are ineffective for a minority of our patients."

Psychotherapies seek to improve the patient's sense of well-being and provide tools for overcoming problems.

"For instance, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the abnormal thinking patterns that patients develop and helps them recognize and correct their distorted perceptions," says Iosifescu.

Somatic therapies apply energy directly to the brain to cause positive changes in depression and mood.

"Along with electro-convulsive therapy, commonly known as electric shock therapy, more modern treatments include transcranial magnetic stimulation, a magnetic field that stimulates currents in the brain, and vagus nerve stimulation, which modulates electric signals in the brain," says Iosifescu. "While electric shock therapy tends to be very effective, it has significant side effects. Transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation have limited efficacy."

Research breakthroughs

Doctors are seeking new therapies to help patients who have proven resistant to treatment.
"One very important novel treatment is ketamine, a medication currently used for anesthesia," says Iosifescu. "Recent studies, including several from our group at Mount Sinai, showed that ketamine works reliably and much faster than other antidepressants, with significant improvement occurring after only a few days even in treatment-resistant patients."

The success of ketamine points to a potential whole new family of drugs for treating depression, with activity on glutamate brain receptors, in contrast to current antidepressants, which produce their effects via serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

Questions for your doctor

If you're diagnosed and undergoing a new treatment regimen, ask: "How soon can I expect improvement?" "If it's not working after eight weeks, it's time to take another approach," says Iosifescu.

Another key question is, "How will we know that the treatment is working?"

Not all depression symptoms improve at the same pace. "We have a wide enough variety of treatments that even after you've tried a few, we can find something else that works on very different mechanisms to help you manage these disorders and improve your quality of life," says Iosifescu.

211

 

2-1-1 San Diego connects people with community, health and disaster services through a free, 24/7 stigma-free phone service and searchable online database. 2-1-1 serves the entire population of San Diego County as the only free, confidential, dialing code service in San Diego. By using the power of technology and innovation, 2-1-1 San Diego connects people to the help they need. 

 

 

 

Licensed Mental Health Board and Care Facilities

This site has been developed to help individuals and families locate available licensed, adult board and care facilities for persons with mental illness, ages 18 to 59. Licensing information is provided by the State of California, Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division in San Diego.

As an information and referral agency, making information available is important. 2-1-1 San Diego does not recommend or rate any facility. However, we hope that listing these facilities in a central location will assist those looking for residential care for this vulnerable population.

2-1-1 San Diego updates the board and care bed availability once a month. However, availability can change at any moment. Please contact the facility directly to get the most current information.

Before deciding where to place your loved one, it is important that you:

Contact the facility for additional information
Schedule an appointment to review the facility's public file at the Community Care Licensing office at: 7575 Metropolitan Drive, Suite 109, San Diego
Schedule an appointment to view the facility
Ask questions - lots of questions! Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
Drop by and visit the facility unexpectedly
If pleased with your findings, ask about bed availability based on your needs
Report any concerns regarding these facilities to:
Community Care Licensing
619-767-2300
Ask for the Duty Officer of the Day - Adult Care Program 

  

Bi-Polar Jockey Finds Salvation In Racing

images 

Sylvia Harris made a name for herself as only the second female African-American jockey to win a major horse race. But what is less known, is that she was drawn into horse racing through her battle with bi-polar disorder. In her memoir Long Shot: My Bipolar Life and the Horses Who Saved Me , Harris describes her love for racing and how the horses helped heal her troubled past. more here

 

  

About.com

by Marcia Purse 

HALLUCINATIONS

Question: What Are Hallucinations?
Answer: The word "hallucination" comes from Latin and means "to wander mentally." Hallucinations have been defined as the "perception of a nonexistent object or event" and "sensory experiences that are not caused by stimulation of the relevant sensory organs."
In layman's terms, hallucinations involve hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling and even tasting things that are not real. However, auditory hallucinations (hearing voices or other sounds that have no physical source) are the most common type.

Hallucinations are most often associated with the mental illness schizophrenia. However, hallucinations may also occur for those with bipolar disorder when either depression or mania has psychotic features. Hallucinations are one possible characteristic specifically of Bipolar I Disorder; other less severe types of manic depression (Bipolar II and Cyclothymia, for example) by definition exclude the presence of hallucinations.

Examples of Hallucinations

I don't see pink cartoon bunnies, but sometimes when manic or hypomanic I think I see things like motion peripherally where there is none or stuff moving in the reflections in mirrors. I think I hear my name or weird unclear snatches of noise. It makes me paranoid and then I see more stuff, but I don't actually see anything. It's more like a visual or auditory twitch.
--Pixxelpuss on our Main Forum

I've had hallucinations during depression which involve seeing dead, decaying flesh on people's faces. I've also had auditory hallucinations (i.e., hearing "voices") during a mixed episode. The voices have a buzzing sound, and it seems like there are thousands of them. They are talking about me, but I can't make out what they say. And sometimes, while extremely agitated, I think I hear a voice whispering my name.



PCH 

 

PCH LAUNCHES MOOD DISORDER RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM 

              The Psychological Care and Healing Treatment Center has launched their Mood Disorder Residential Program to provide intensive treatments for people who suffer from Mood Disorders.

Mood Disorders are a group of psychological illnesses that are characterized by the uncontrollable switching of the mood of a person which are often inappropriate (in type or degree) to the circumstance that surrounds the switch in the mood. There are several mood disorders that are common to most people. These include: Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Reactive Depression, Grief Reaction, and Seasonal Affective Disorder among others. These disorders are often diagnosed by several symptoms which include irregular sleeping patterns, a lot level of interest, a lack of concentration and focus on work or school, a general dissatisfaction in life, fatigue, and even suicidal tendencies. Obviously, these disorders are not to be taken lightly. Thus, upon diagnosis, a psychiatrist will usually recommend that a person who is suffering from a mood disorder must be treated, sometimes at a psychological treatment center.

There are several types and levels of treatments available for different patients with different cases. The mildest cases simply need sessions with their shrink or psychiatrist, while the most severe cases are actually brought to mental hospitals and other similar places. For the patient that needs treatment that is more intensive than simple meetings with the psychiatrist, but not as drastic as being confined in a mental hospital, there are psychological treatment centers. These psychological treatment centers have different types of programs that include several types of activities and sessions that help the patient get better and get their normal lives back. One such type of program is the residential treatment program like the anxiety treatment center Los Angeles.

The residential treatment program would require the patient to actually live within the premises of the psychological treatment center. Usually, the patient resides in the treatment facility for about three weeks to a month, depending on the rules and regulations of the facility. However, this period may be extended if the in house psychiatrist recommends it. Residential treatment programs are intensive and are proven to get people's lives back on track, because these programs usually expose the patients to different forms ad types of healing 'round the clock.

Living under the watchful eye of psychological treatment experts is one thing, but being exposed to different types of therapy is another. Usually patients who undergo a residential treatment program has to submit himself to individual sessions with a psychiatrist as well as group sharing sessions and other activities like yoga and meditation to help them regain their lives and get rid of their Mood Disorders at the mood disorder treatment clinic.

This type of program is now offered by the leading psychological treatment center in the state of California, the Psychological Care and Healing Treatment Center. This only proves that they are serious about providing the best forms of treatment for their patients as the Residential Treatment Program is another addition to their long line of services that were created by psychological health experts to provide intensive treatment for patients that are fast and effective.They have specialty treatments as well like the panic disorder treatment clinic and the bipolar treatment clinic.

For inquiries about the Psychological Care and Healing Treatment Center's Mood Disorder Residential Program call them at 888 724 0040. You may also visit them at 11965 Venice Blvd. Suite 405, Los Angeles, CA 90066 or visit their website at http://www.pchtreatment.com.
 




Attention

MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS and Providers with Special Needs Children of their own

 
Free evening/weekend SUPPORT GROUP forming in San Diego area.

Support Group will include an opportunity to discuss personal parent journeys, challenges, grief/loss, and therapeutic solutions.

Insightfulness, emotional maturity, and genuine desire to provide and receive emotional support are required.

Please contact [email protected] with the subject line: Support Group.




  

�Forward the newsletter from across "the Pond"

Incorporating BI-POLAR NEWS
A FREE & INDEPENDENT WORK IN PROGRESS
WEEKLY READERSHIP: March, 2011  

read newsletter here 

 

NEWS FROM NAMI & DBSA

NAMI Walk 

JOIN THE IBPF TEAM TODAY; join here 

TAKE TIME TODAY to register YOUR WALK TEAM!  It is important that we show up together, unified, and fighting to end stigma and discrimination for all those with a mental health diagnosis and their families! 
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SAVE THE DATE

 

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Lunch & Lecture with Margaret Trudeau co-hosted by IBPF & JFS

Thursday, May 25, 11:30a. Hyatt Aventine

For more information please contact Ashley Reitzin 

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A Day with Patrick Kennedy hosted by IBPF  

October 6, 2011

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2011 U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress:

November 8-9, 2011

Las Vegas

Conference dates: November 7-10

The Venetian Hotel & Congress Center

 

The 2011 Prospectus and sponsorship information will be available next month. To view current information and documents, please visit https://www.cmellc.com/psychcongress/exhibitor_sponsorship.html 


 

About the International Bipolar Foundation
 
International Bipolar Foundation is a not for profit organization based in San Diego whose mission is to eliminate Bipolar Disorder through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support services for all affected; and to erase associated stigma through public education.
IBPF
Visit us online for more information: www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org
We have a new Community Page on FaceBook.

Please join us on Facebook and "Like" us and help us spread the word.
Find us on Facebook

A Word About Funding
 
Please note that International Bipolar Foundation does not represent any pharmaceutical company or give any speeches for a pharmaceutical company nor does our site receive advertising dollars from any company.