Posts Tagged “mental illness”
With all the recent talk about gun control and mental health, I decided to take a look at how far America’s mental health system has changed (or not changed) over the past few years. First, I must state that when I wrote a blog about Mental Illness and the Law, the research shows that those [...]
In 1990, the U.S. Congress established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in recognition of NAMI’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) efforts to raise mental illness awareness. Since 1990, mental health advocates across the country have joined together during the first full week of October in sponsoring many kinds [...]
How many of you are comfortable talking to your healthcare provider? Do you feel the provider respects you, listens to you and addresses your questions and concerns? If you answered “no” to either of these questions, I hope the following information is helpful to you in turning the answers from “no” to “yes.” I believe [...]
I was recently interviewed for an upcoming production that will address bipolar disorder and pregnancy. As a result, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share my thoughts on bipolar disorder and pregnancy. The pressing question is can a woman with bipolar disorder have a successful pregnancy and postpartum period? I believe the [...]
Is Electroshock Therapy or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) an effective treatment? There seems to be some debate about the effectiveness of what seems like an outdated or cruel treatment for severe cases of mental illness, particularly depression. Surprisingly, it is also sometimes used to treat postpartum psychosis. What is Electroshock Therapy or “ECT”? According to the [...]
With the summer winding down and the start of a new school year around the corner, I have been thinking about the challenges of mental illness in the classroom. The mental health of children is something that can not be ignored. Did you know that, according to the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health [...]
I just returned from a trip to visit family. I was blessed to stay at a place on the beach. I, personally, love the beach. It is so peaceful and serene. No matter what is going on in my life, I can get a new perspective when I am near the water. My own experience [...]
I recently learned from my routine annual blood test that my thyroid is hyperactive. Since getting the results, questions have been running through my mind as to what could be causing my thyroid to overwork. My thyroid has been checked regularly over the years and the results have been fine so why am I having [...]
(Some names have been changed to protect identity) In early 1996, eight weeks after the birth of my son, I was struck with postpartum psychosis, a rare, life-threatening illness, the most serious mood and anxiety disorder associated with childbearing. My son was just 8 weeks old when I went three nights without sleep. I never [...]
It appears that individuals with mental illness have higher rates of physical problems, at least according to an U.S. Government report released last month (April 2012). But do physical problems cause an increased risk of mental illness or does mental illness cause an increased risk of physical problems? In regard to mental illness being tied [...]
