|
|
|
|
Solano Parent Network needs your HELP! Due to a severe technical meltdown of our computer system, the updated subscription mailing list for our newsletter has vanished into cyberspace. If you are a past subscriber or would like to receive our free quarterly newsletter please contact our advocacy office as soon as possible. The phone # is (707) 427-3545 x 135. You may also fax us your information at: (707) 427-3526Or email us at: slnprntnwk@aol.com Please send us your : Name, Address, City , Zip code, Home Phone #,Work Phone#,Email Address:National Institute of Mental Health Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. More than 2 million American adults or about 1 percent of the population age 18 and older in any given year, have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood. However, some people have their first symptoms during childhood, and some develop them late in life. It is often not recognized as an illness, and people may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Like diabetes or heart disease, bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that must be carefully managed throughout a person’s life. “ Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an Illness that is biological in its origins, yet one that feels psychological in experience of it; an illness that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide. “I am fortunate that I have not died from my illness, fortunate in having received the best medical care available, and fortunate in having the friends, colleagues, and family that I do.” Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., An Unquiet Mind, 1995 p.6. What Are the Symptomsof Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode include:
Denial that anything is wrong A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present. Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include: Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex Decreased energy, feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down” Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions Restlessness or irritability Sleeping too much, or can’t sleep Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts A depressive episode is diagnosed if 5 or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer. A mild to moderate level of mania is called hypomania. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it and may even be associated with good functioning and enhanced productivity. Thus even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings as possible bipolar disorder, the person may deny that anything is wrong. Without proper treatment, however, hypomania can become severe mania in some people or can switch into depression. Sometimes severe episodes of mania or depression include symptoms of psychosis (or psychotic symptoms). Common psychotic symptoms are hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or otherwise sensing the presence of things not actually there) and delusions (false, strongly helD beliefs not influenced by logical reasoning or explained by a person’s usual cultural concepts). Psychotic symptoms in bipolar disorder tend to reflect the extreme mood state at the time. For example, delusions of grandiosity, such as believing one is President or has special powers or wealth, may occur during mania; delusions of guilt or worthlessness, such as believing that one is ruined and penniless or has committed some terrible crime, may appear during depression. People with bipolar disorder who have these symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as having schizophrenia, another severe mental illness. It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in bipolar disorder as a spectrum or continuous range. At one end is severe depression, above which is moderate depression, and then mild low mood, which many people call “the blues” when it is short-lived but is termed “dysthymia” when it is chronic. Then there is normal or balanced mood, above which comes hypomania ( mild to moderate mania), and then severe mania. Severe mania Hypomania (mild to moderate mania) Normal/balanced mood Mild to moderate depression Severe depression In some people, however, symptoms of mania and depression may occur together in what is called a mixed bipolar state. Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble sleeping, significant change in appetite, psychosis, and suicidal thinking. A person may have a very sad, hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely energized.Bipolar disorder may appear to be a problem other than mental illness—for instance, alcohol or drug abuse, poor school work performance, or stained interpersonal relationships. Such problems in fact may be signs of an underlying mood disorder. Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder Like other mental illness, bipolar cannot yet be identified physiologically—for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).Descriptions offered by people with bipolar disorder give valuable insights into various mood states associated with the illness: Depression: I doubt completely my ability to do anything well. It seems as through my mind has slowed down and burned out to the point of being virtually unless…[I am] haunt[ed]...with the total, the desperate hopelessness of it all...Others say, “It’s only temporary, it will pass, you will get over it,” but of course they haven’t any idea of how I feel, although they are certain they do. If I can’t feel, move, think or care, then what on earth is the point? Hypomania: At first when I’m high, it’s tremendous...ideas are fast...like shooting stars you follow until brighter ones appear...All shyness disappears, the right words and gestures are suddenly there...uninteresting people, things become intensely interesting. Sensuality is pervasive, the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible. Your marrow is infused with believed feelings of ease, power, well-being, omnipotence euphoria...you can do anything…but, somewhere this changes. Mania: The fast ideas become too fast and there are far too many...overwhelming confusion replaces clarity...you stop keeping up with it—memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened...everything is now against the grain...you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped.Suicide: Some people with bipolar disorder become suicidal. ANYONE who is thinking about committing suicide needs immediate attention, preferably from a mental health professional or a physician. Anyone who talks about suicide should be taken seriously. Risk for suicide appears to be higher earlier in the course of the illness. Therefore, recognizing bipolar disorder early and learning how best to manage it may decrease the risk of death by suicide.Signs and symptoms that may accompany suicidal feelings include:
Putting oneself in harm’s way, or in situations where there is a danger of being killed If you are feeling suicidal or know someone who is:
Make sure that access is prevented to large amounts of medication, weapons, or other items that could be used for self-harm While some suicide attempts are carefully planned over time, others impulsive acts that have not been well thought out; thus, the final point in the box above may be a valuable long-term strategy for people with bipolar disorder. Either way, it is important to understand that suicidal feelings and actions are symptoms of an illness that can be treated. With proper treatment, suicidal feelings can be overcome. What is the course of Bipolar Disorder? Episodes of mania and depression typically recur across the life span. Between episodes, most people with bipolar disorder are free of symptoms, but as many as one-third of people have some residual symptoms. A small percentage of people experience chronic unremitting symptoms despite treatment. The classic for of the illness, which involves recurrent episodes of mania and depression, is called Bipolar I disorder. Some people, however, never develop severe mania but instead experience milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression; this form of the illness is called Bipolar ii disorder. When 4 or more episodes of illness occur within a 12-month period, a person is said to have rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Some people experience multiple episodes within a single week, or even within a single day. Rapid cycling tends to develop later in the course of illness and is more common among women than men. People with bipolar disorder can lead healthy and productive lives when the illness is effectively treated (see below-”How Is Bipolar Disorder Treated”). Without treatment, however the natural course of bipolar disorder tends to worsen. Over time a person may suffer more frequent (more rapid-cycling) and more severe manic and depressive episodes than those experienced when the illness first appeared. But in most cases, proper treatment can help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and can help people with bipolar disorder maintain good quality of life. Can Children and Adolescents Have Bipolar Disorder?Both children and adolescents can develop bipolar disorder. It is more likely to affect the children of parents who have the illness. Unlike many adults with bipolar disorder, whose episodes tend to be more clearly defined, children and young adolescents with the illness often experience very fast mood swings between depression and mania many times within a day. Children with mania are more likely to be irritable and prone to destructive tantrums than to be overly happy and elated. Mixed symptoms also are common in youths with bipolar disorder. Older adolescents who develop the illness may have more classic, adult-type episodes and symptoms. Bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be hard to tell apart from other problems that may occur in these age groups. For example, while irritability and aggressiveness can indicate bipolar disorder, they also can be symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or other types of mental disorders more common among adults such as major depression or schizophrenia. Drug abuse also may lead to such symptoms. For any illness, however, effective treatment depends on appropriate diagnosis. Children or adolescents with emotional and behavioral symptoms should be carefully evaluated by a mental health professional. Any child or adolescent who has suicidal feelings, talks about suicide, or attempts suicide should be taken seriously and should receive immediate help from a mental health specialist. How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?Most people with bipolar disorder—even those with the most severe forms—can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptom with proper treatment. Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, long-term preventive treatment is strongly recommended and almost always indicated. A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time.In most cases, bipolar disorder is much better controlled if treatment is continuous than if it is on and off. But even when there are no breaks in treatment, mood changes can occur and should be reported immediately to your doctor. The doctor may be able to prevent a full-blown episode by making adjustments to the treatment plan. Working closely with the doctor and communicating openly about treatment concerns and options can make a difference in treatment effectiveness. In addition, keeping a chart of daily mood symptoms, treatments, sleep patterns, and life events may help people with bipolar disorder and their families to better understand the illness. This chart also can help the doctor track and treat the illness most effectively. How Can Individuals and Families Get Help for Bipolar Disorder?Anyone with bipolar disorder should be under the care of a psychiatrist skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Other mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatric social workers, and psychiatric nurses, can assist in providing the person and family with additional approaches to treatment. Help can be found at:
Public community mental health centers People with bipolar disorder may need help to get help.
For More Information National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Office of Communications and Public Liaison Information Resources and Inquiries Branch6001 Executive Blvd., Rm. 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Phone: (301) 443-4513; Fax: (301) 443-4279 Fax Back System, Mental Health FAX4U: (301) 443-5158 E-mail: nimhinfo@nih.gov Web site:http://www.nimh.nih.gov Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation 1187 Willmette Ave. PMB #331 Willmette, Il. 60091 Phone: (847) 256-8525 Web site: http://www.bpkids.org National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Colonial Place Three 2107 Wilson Blvd., 3rd Floor Arlington, Va. 22201 Toll Free: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Phone: (703) 524-7600; Fax: (703) 524-9094 Web site: http://www.nami.org TheCoordinator’s CornerW elcome back to our faithful “Network News” readers.I apologize for the delay since the last edition of this newsletter. Technology is our friend when it is helpful. Solano Parent Network suffered a complete meltdown of the computer in which we store the newsletter format and the updated subscription list. The newsletter was in its final proof reading stage when first the printer blew followed by the computer destruction. Needless to say, it has taken quite awhile to rebuild our publication format. We are now back in business and you will receive all back issues of the newsletter once we are caught up. Thank you for your patience! Back to business...so many personnel changes have occurred in management at Solano County Mental Health. Last March, our Children’s Interim Director of Mental Health, Heidi Garcia left our fair county to work in Santa Barbara County as their Assistant Director, Programs-Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services. We sincerely miss Mrs. Garcia and appreciate all of her years of sincere and complete devotion, dedication and commitment to improving the lives of children and their families in Solano County. We wish her well in her new position. The good news is that Mrs. Debbie Terry Butler is currently the Health and Social Services Interim Administrator Mrs. Butler is personally familiar with all of the children that receive mental health services. She is also truly dedicated to serving the children of Solano County. We welcome Mrs. Butler to her new role in overseeing Children’s Mental Health Services. We highly value her input in our program too. We have also seen some personnel changes here at Solano Parent Network. Lu Juan Tillman left our staff for employment out of state earlier this spring. We wish him well in his new job too.David Rodgers Jr. resigned from our program in August to return to a full-time school schedule and employment in the Drama Department at Solano Community College. David was the Art and Drama Director at Solano Parent Network and also our Chief in-house Fundraiser. We will all miss Mr. Rodgers’ enduring drama, enthusiasm and dedication to our program. We wish him future success in his ongoing professional theatrical career. Thank you again David, for last summer’s outstanding fundraising success “Wouldn’t You Like To Be On Broadway?”. That raised $1500.00 in cash! All of that money went to purchase much needed items to expand our Art/Drama Club. Our multi-talented Respite Coordinator Alisha Petty, designed and along with staff, built our portable Puppet Theater. She also sewed the beautiful curtains that decorate it. Thanks to Miss Alisha’s creativity, it saved our program hundreds of dollars. Respite Provider Laurie Bradley, built 2 children’s art easels for the Club too. I want to welcome Mr. Junel De La Vega to our program as our new Mentor. Since coming onboard in Spring, he has expressed real zeal and enthusiasm for his work that is very refreshing. Mr. J.’s ability to network within his community has been a valuable resource for SPN and has enabled him to secure donations for his Boy’s Groups. I want to also welcome Debra Livingston as the newest member of our Respite Program. Debra has worked for our parent agency ALDEA, for over 14 years in the residential treatment programs. We are so happy to have the opportunity to work with such a seasoned professional as Mrs. Livingston. She will be a real asset to our Respite Program. Our 2nd Solano Parent Network Summer Camp was held at Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo this year. The two week session included an insect theme for the 10 and younger age group. The 11 and older group theme was popular music. The 45 children who were enrolled really enjoyed themselves. Staff did an excellent job being completely organized and prepared for the camp. The kids enjoyed the outdoor barbeques along with fun summer camp activities. Check out our website at www.solanoparentnetwork.org to see pictures of the camp. I want to thank the special local merchants who donated items to our SPN Summer Camp too. King’s Office Supply (Kevin) in Vallejo and Office Max in Fairfield (Maria), both donated large shipping tubes for one of the kid’s favorite projects; Rain sticks. Payless Shoes in Solano Mall (Beverly) donated over 25 shoe boxes for the older kid’s memory box project. We certainly appreciate these merchants generosity to our program. Their donations just make our non-profit dollars stretch farther in providing the children and their families’ with more services. Please remember to support these local business’. A very big thank you to Junel’s friend, Sata Fehi Fear for her most generous donation of $200.00 to assist with the projects and activities of Boy’s Group. 100% of her donation will go to the purpose she designated it for. Also a big thank you to Mr. Greg Bradley for his generous donation of a computer to our respite program. Thank you Laurie’s husband! We appreciate your super donation of labor and equipment! Thank you to Mr. John E. Hood for rebuilding and upgrading our advocacy computer , savaging the original newsletter mailing list and his constant technical assistance! We do appreciate your donation of labor to keep us up and running! We know you do this to help children and their families! As ever, thanks to our superb respite staff, Alisha Petty, Lori Norman, Jackie Sterling-Miles, Ellen Ervin, Mia Montgomery, Laurie Bradley, Junel De La Vega and Debra Livingston.Kudos to our fantastic parent advocate and resource specialist, Rebecca Lawson. Rebecca will track down the answers you need or will steer you into the right direction for community information and linkage into other programs. Thank you to the awesomely talented Sophia Ervin for redesigning and maintaining our web site! Check out our new look at www.solanoparentnetwork.com It is a pleasure and a honor to work with such a wonderful group of professionals! Thank you all! I want to invite parents and families to please come to our “Finding Your Way” parent support groups. They are held at 3 different locations throughout the county twice a month. Child care is provided at no charge. These meetings can be very helpful in supporting and helping you cope with this very difficult lifestyle we find ourselves in while trying to parent a child who suffers from an emotional, behavioral and/or neurological disorder. Our children’s disability do not show up on a x-ray or through blood tests. Treatment can be through trial and error. Therapy, medication, behavior modification, special education, therapists and psychiatrists...it is all so overwhelming. Please come and relieve some of your burden with people who know first hand what you are going through. We don’t judge! It really helps to know you’re not alone.Happy Fall! Sincerely, Cecilia Jungkeit Mullaney  back
to the top
Ruling Hinders Social WorkersBy Chuck Squatriglia, Chronicle Staff Writer, June 10, 2002 Investigation limits for emotional abuse A federal court ruling that a social worker broke the law when she entered a Berkeley home without a warrant and took away two boys she feared were emotionally abused highlights growing debate over when and how authorities can intervene when they suspect such harm. In ruling last week, U.S. Magistrate Bernard Zimmerman said the U.S. Constitution and California law allow social workers to enter a home without a warrant only if there is an imminent threat of physical—but not mental abuse to a child. Child welfare experts said the law doesn’t recognize mounting evidence that emotional abuse is as detrimental to children as physical abuse, nor does it consider the obligation of social workers to move quickly when investigating such allegations. But some family law attorneys praised the ruling as reaffirmation of the sanctity of the home and parental rights at a time when social workers increasingly intervene in matters that are none of their concern. The issue has grown so thorny that it has come before the Child Welfare Services System Stakeholders Group, a state panel charged with improving California’s child welfare bureaucracy. “The more we learn, the more likely it is that the definition of what constitutes and immediate threat will change” to include emotional harm, said Andrew Ross, a spokesman for the California Department of Social Services. “It’s something that’s being discussed.” The question of when social workers can enter homes uninvited has been litigated several times in California and other states in recent years. A New York woman recently filed a $2 million federal lawsuit against social worker in Oswego County, claiming they illegally removed her four children. A case questioning the authority of social workers to enter a home is pending before North Carolina’s supreme court, and a federal judge in Utah dismissed a similar suit in September. In a case from Yolo County, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in 1999 that the constitutional search and seizure apply to social workers as well as to police. The ruling prompted Californian lawmakers to require social workers to obtain a warrant before entering a home uninvited unless there is “immediate danger” of physical or sexual abuse. The court bolstered its decision in a ruling last year in a San Bernardino County case. But the law does not define “immediate danger..” Such definitions are left to Child Protective Services agencies in each of California’s 58 counties. That apparently is where Alameda County social worker Carolyn Black ran afoul of the law when she paid a visit to Patricia Moodian’s and her two sons declined to comment, citing the confidentiality of child welfare proceedings. But court documents show that a San Francisco Superior Court judge hearing a custody dispute between Moodian and the boys’ father expressed concern for the youngsters’ emotional well-being. She asked Alameda County Authorities to investigate. Black did not have a warrant when she arrived with police, and Moodian reluctantly allowed her into the house. After observing Moodian’s behavior and interviewing her children, Black concluded the children were in imminent danger of emotional harm and placed them in foster care for almost four months. Zimmerman ruled that Black violated the constitutional rights of Moodian and her children, described by attorneys as “middle-school-aged,” when she entered the house without a warrant because there were no allegations of physical abuse. The ruling set the stage for a trial, scheduled to begin Aug. 19, during which a jury will decide whether the county should pay damages to the family. Alameda County Counsel Richard Winnie declined to discuss specifics of the case, but said it raises difficult issues about a welfare agency’s ability to protect children from emotional abuse. “We are working in an area where there is a responsibility to protect children but not absolute clarity in how to proceed,” he said. Social service experts agreed. “It will make it harder for (social workers) to do their jobs if there are no physical signs of abuse,” said Lahne Matas-Curry, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Social Workers. “It’s a fine line, and there must be some way for the law to allow social workers ——————————————————————— “We are working in and area where there is a responsibility to protect children but not absolute clarity in how to proceed.” Richard Winnie Alameda County attorney ———————————————————————–to do their job.” But some family law attorneys said the ruling will keep social worker from overstepping their authority for fear of letting a child “slip through the cracks.” “They’d rather become more aggressive than less in their mission, and the public seems willing to go along with that,” said Jan Saalfield, a Sausalito attorney who specializes in child welfare cases. Many allegations of emotional abuse social workers investigate stem for divorces and custody disputes, which are inherently stressful for children, Aaalfield said. Saalfield and others concede there are plenty of cases where children truly suffer emotional abuse and must be helped. But case workers have an obligation to respect parental rights and obey the law. Child welfare authorities throughout the Bay Area said only on rare occasions do social workers have to seek a warrant to enter a house. “I can only think of one case in the last several years, and we didn’t prevail,” said Danna Fabella, director of Children and Family Services in Contra Costa County. “We asked for the warrant and the judge did not agree and we didn’t go any further.” Solano Parent Network Summer Campwas a huge success!This year’s themes were: SESSION I– InsectsSESSION II– Popular Music The favorite project from the children in session I were the stepping stones. I would like to personally thank Laurie Bradley for all the time and effort taken to plan, prep and implement the Arts/ Craft ideas, they were a BIG hit.The highlight of the week for Session II was the performance provided by the theatre majors from Solano Community College who danced and sang their hearts out during a show to cap off the week. On another note S.P.N. is sad to announce that Mr. David Rogers Jr. Drama Director and Mentor is leaving Solano Parent Network. David has been instrumental in improving the quality of our Drama program from organizing fundraising events, soliciting volunteers to teaching our children African Dance. David, thanks for your labor of love. You will be greatly missed. Your S.P.N. family wishes you all the best in your future endeavors. When we think of Broadway we will always think of you and SMILE! This second year of camp proved to be more organized and efficient. The location change enabled transportation to flow without any major glitches. Lori, Jackie, Ellen, David, Junel, Mia, and Laurie: Thank you so much for all of your very hard work. Our camp dreams could have never been realized without you!SPN has also been the recent beneficiary of several random acts of kindness and I would like to acknowledge our donors for their gifts. Ms. Sata Fehi Fear donated $200.00 to our Boy’s group for projects and activities. Mr. Greg Bradley donated a computer to our program, plus his expertise in revamping one of our older models. Sometimes contributors wonder just how they can help and whether their donation can really make a difference when the need seems so great, but I want you to know that every gift counts and is greatly appreciated by our entire SPN Family. OCTOBER THEMES: AUTUMN, HARVEST, LEAVES & FALL COLORS The month of October brings a change in the seasons and with it comes fall weather. A time to enjoy. Warm meals, apple cider and indoor activities. We will celebrate a time of harvest during the month with lots of arts, crafts and activities. During a few group sessions we will venture out to the Pumpkin Patch and return with a few pumpkins for cleanin’, carvin’, & cookin’. We will update you on the particulars in the upcoming month. Sincerely, Alisha M. Petty Respite Coordinator
MedicationsIn Treating Bipolar DisorderCABF Learning Center This brief overview is not intended to replace the evaluation and treatment of any child by a physician. Be sure to consult with a doctor who knows your child before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Mood Stabilizers: Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithium carbonate) Divalproex sodium or valproic acid (Depakote) Carbamazepine (Teretol) Gabapentin (Neurontin)Lamotrigine (Lamictal) Topiramate (Topamax)
Other medications: Doctors may prescribe antipsychotic medications (Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel) for use during manic states, particularly when children experience delusions or hallucinations and when rapid control of mania is needed. Some of the newer antipsychotic medications are very effective in controlling rages and aggression. Weight gain is often a side effect of anti-psychotic medications. Calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nimodipine, isradipine) have recently received attention as potential mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs in acute mania.
1 1/2 cups grated gruyere or cheddar cheese Instructions: Preheat the oven to 425*. Peel and thinly slice (no more than 1/8 inch thick) the potatoes. Put the slices into a bowl of cold water as you slice them (this keeps them from turning color). Pat the slices dry when you are ready to assemble the dish. Use a 10-in. cast-iron skillet. Drain the potatoes and pat dry with paper towels. Starting in the center of the skillet, overlap the first layer of potatoes. Sprinkle each layer with some of the melted butter, then season with salt and pepper. Add a light sprinkle of chives and grated cheese. Press down firmly—but not fiercely-each layer with a spatula. Repeat layering until you have used up the potatoes. Cover the pan with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 30 minutes longer ( check at 20 minutes). Test by piercing the potatoes with the tip of a sharp knife. It they feel tender, the pie is done. The potatoes should be golden brown. Hold a lid over the pan and drain off any melted butter. Cut pie into wedges and serve. SERVES 6
Resilience, talking can help kids beat depressionBy Karen S. Peterson, USA TODAY, June 4, 2002 Home is not a haven today for children of depressed parents, and it can be the breeding ground for a troubled future. But new research holds out hope for millions of American children who are at risk for depression because they live in a home where Mom or Dad battles the demons associated with mental illness. Rates of depression for a child with a depressed parents are two to four times greater than for one raised in a mentally healthy family. The fact that depression often runs in families is well established. But landmark research, which focuses on prevention, now shows what can break the cycle and help protect youngsters from future illness. Child psychiatrist William Beardslee, of both Harvard Medical School and Boston’s Children’s Hospital, has researched depression in families since 1979. He has run two major studies involving hundreds of children. Much of his work is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. One 10-year study of 100 families (a total of 300 parents and children) shows that promoting resilience in children can help reduce their susceptibility to depression. In part, parents should get healthy kids out of the home where sadness reigns and help them find support and develop self-reliance elsewhere. Parents can: Help children find success away from home—where success seems implausible—in school, in community. Help them develop strong friendships outside the home. Help them understand events in the family and develop a capacity for “self-reflection and self-understanding.” Beardslee’s team found one type of intervention in families with a depressed parent to be particularly helpful: a brief series of meetings with a clinician, some for parents alone and children alone, plus family sessions together. Importantly, the child learned he was not responsible for his parents’ sadness. Communication in the family improved. Beardslee believes that open family discussions lead to understanding the illness and help protect the next generation. Beardslee emphasizes that the causes of depression are many, including genetics, and individual’s personality, plus biological and social factors. Genetics and home environment can reinforce one another, with a child influenced by a parents’ negative world-view, low self-worth, sense of helplessness and frequent chronic physical illnesses. Without help, by age 19, 30% of kids with a depressed parent will have had their own bout with the illness, he says. Work such as Beardslee’s is of prime importance, says child psychiatrist Peter Jensen of Columbia University. “One of the most important risk factors for a child’s development appears to be the depression of a parent during child-rearing years.” Beardslee’s latest research will be presented Saturday to a Washington, D.C., conference of the National Mental Health Association. His reader-friendly book for parents, Out of the Darkened Room (Little, Brown), will be in stores June 17.
One of unsung millions who quelled manias We usually hear only of tragedies San Francisco Chronicle-Rob Morse, 2002This was Electroboy . This was the art dealer, forger, jailbird, stripper, sex maniac and prodigious consumer of drugs and alcohol—and all he was having was a ginger ale, while quietly expressing sorrow for those with troubles greater than his own.Andrew Behrman had written a memoir of manic-depression, called “Electroboy,” a nickname he got while undergoing electro-shock. He has been through false heavens and real hells, but he’s alive, even if sometimes drowsy from his nine medications. Those we were talking about hadn’t done so well. They were dead, in jail or crazy in the streets. Behrman, a New Yorker, said pathetic people were wandering San Francisco. Then he spoke of health care and pharmaceuticals. “Do you know how much one Depakote tablet costs?” Behrman said, referring to one of his meds. “They’re $4 each. What happened to the issue of cost of prescription drugs? People ought to be jumping up and down shouting about it. The only people shouting are shouting to themselves.” So many are dead, from one of my college roommates to Abbie Hoffman. “ The suicide rate for manic-depressives is amazingly high,” said Behrman.Experts say that 20 percent of manic-depressives die by their own hand, and perhaps more because of risky behavior in manic phases. Behrman used to run out at 3 in the morning for drugs and sex with strangers of any gender or number. In her memoir of manic-depression, Kay Redfield Jamison, the psychologist who’s done more for the understanding of the disease than anyone else, recalls driving fast at all hours of night. Last year, Idriss Stelley suffered a breakdown and waved a small knife in the Metreon. San Francisco co cops shot 20 holes in him. Behrman looked stricken when I told him the story. It could have happened to anyone in a manic state. This month the SFPD agreed to teach officers how to deal with the mentally ill, and that’s a step in the right direction. They might use the Electroboy Web site, www.electroboy.com. The descriptions of the alternating euphoria and hopelessness of manic-depression (or “bipolar disorder”) are useful and personal. Behramn admits he enjoyed his “out-of-control lifestyle.”This was a man very resistant to treatment, a man who finally had to undergo 19 electroshock treatments to break the manic cycle. As Behrman points out, electroshock is more exact treatment than it was in the days of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” a movie that discredited electro-shock and mental institutions, whose passing we now lament. “Cuckoo’s Nest” also romanticized mental illness. “Electroboy” gives the real feel of mania’s sensory ride and it’s raunchy comicalness. But there’s no romance. “Pure mania is as close to death as I think I have ever come,” wrote Behrman in his book. He hadn’t heard of the case of David Attias, who drove his car into a crowd of students at UC Santa Barbara and is pleading insanity because of bipolar disorder. “Was anyone killed? Asked Behrman, with real worry in his voice. When I told him that four young people had died, Behrman just stared into his ginger ale. What can you say? Someone failed to take responsibility—to own Attias’ long-standing disorder. His parents sent him off to college and knew he wasn’t taking his meds. They threatened to take away his Saab Turbo but, sadly, they didn’t. Maybe the parents were in denial. I can’t guess what was in the kid’s head. Manic-depression is treatable, but first you have to own your disease—really own it, and take responsibility for it. And that’s hard for anyone to do. How do you get all the crazy people on the streets to take their meds, even if we can provide them? Good luck. For now, let’s give credit to those you’ll never see in police reports or hear babbling on the sidewalk—the millions who continue the courageous struggle against mental illness. It’s a measure of stigma that you’ll see the phrase “courageous struggle” when it comes to cancer, but not mental illness. The success stories are walking among us. Off the top of my head, I can name three local celebrities who have beaten manic-depression, but I won’t. Then there’s Andrew Behrman, who came out of the closet of madness and wrote a great book. And he’ s still alive. Electroboy is Andy’s chronicle of his battle with manic depression or bipolar disorder- - the euphoric highs and desperate lows. He was misdiagnosed by more than eight doctors and even when he finally diagnosed with this chronic illness, he was unsuccessful on any regimen of medication. With no hope of his condition stabilizing, he turned to the last resort: electroshock therapy also known as electroconvulsive therapy and commonly referred to as ECT. For years Andy hid his mania under a larger -than -life personality. He sought a high whenever he could find one and changed jobs like some of us change outfits; filmmaker, art dealer, hustler; whatever made him feel like a cartoon character, invincible and bright. Eelectroboy is about living life at breakneck speed. He hopped on flights from New York to Tokyo and Paris at a moment’s notice, spent $25,00.00 without a bit of thought on a huge shopping spree and stayed awake nights exploring the underworld of nightlife in Manhattan or whatever city he happened to be visiting, in search of the perfect high. But Electroboy turned to art forgery, he found himself the subject of a scandal lapped up by the New York media, then in jail, then under house arrest. And for once he did not have a ready escape hatch from his unraveling life. Ingesting handfuls of antidepressants and tranquilizers, feeling his mind lose traction, he decided to opt for ECT.He underwent nineteen electroshock treatments over the course of about a year & a half. Andy Behrman invites you to discover the inside scoop of his book Electroboy. It is a must read for anyone who is battling or has battled mental illness or for a friend or family member who wants to offer his or her support. It is available in bookstores or on Amazon.com. Price: $24.95
Education Begins at Home Seven tips to Help California Teachers Association S tudent learning doesn’t begin and end at school. Parents also play and important role at home. The California Teachers Association and the California State PTA have joined together to offer some tips for helping your children learn. Here are seven ways you can give your children the best opportunities to succeed in school:Just Ask. Ask your child what they studied in class today—what they liked and what they learned. Quiet Study. Choose a place for home study and make sure the room is quiet during that time. Creating a quiet place goes a long way toward helping children learn. Regular Schedule. Set up a certain time of day dedicated to homework. Make sure children’s homework is complete and turned in on time. Learn Together. If you expect children to read their assignments, give yourself assignments, too. When it’s time for them to do homework, take a break and spend a few minutes reading a book, magazine or newspaper. Learn Everywhere. Increase children’s interest in homework by connecting school to everyday life. Children can learn fractions and measurements while preparing foods together. Meet Their Teachers. Meet with teachers to find out what children are learning and discuss their progress in school. Praise Helps. Praise children for successfully completing homework. Nothing encourages children more than praise from their parents. Tips for families are contained in brochures available from CTA by calling toll free at 1-888-756-KIDS. The tips have been translated into 11 different languages and are available on the Web at www.calfamilies.org. After-School Programs Help Students Learn Parents may soon have more after-school options for their children. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Kindergarten COP, wants to make sure students in California don’t get into trouble after school. “Millions of kids are home alone with no one to help them and guide them,” says Schwarzenegger, who is heading the campaign to pass Proposition 49 on the November ballot. “After 3 o’clock in the afternoon, children may be hanging out with the wrong crowd. We must have after-school programs that give kids a positive alternative to drugs, gangs, violence and teenage pregnancy.” Schwarzenegger’s After School Education and Saftey Act would set aside $400 million to make after-school programs available to every public elementary and junior high school in California. The initiative would be funded out of any growth in state revenues. It would not raise taxes or take money away from existing public school programs. “In and ideal world, a parent would be home when school’s out, but that doesn’t happen very often,” says teacher Clara Vellema, who oversees after-school programs at six Bellflower schools. “In most cases, it is necessary for both parents to work, and they don’t come home until after 5 o’clock. If schools can’t offer students academic enrichment after school, latch key children will go home and older brothers and sisters will be expected to take care of them. They might just watch television—or worse. It’s better if schools can offer them a structured environment as an alternative.” Studies show that after-school programs can make a big difference in lives of children. According to the University of California-Irvine, students who participated in after-school programs increased their reading and math scores substantially, with the largest increases recorded for students in lower-performing schools and in low income families. The study also found improved school attendance, reduced numbers of suspensions and decreases in juvenile crime. For more information on this story, visit us on the Web at www.calfamilies.org
Four steps to understand and get help for Bipolar Disorder
STEP 1. Look for signs of bipolar disorder. Read the following lists. Put a check mark by each sign that sounds like your child now or in the past: Signs of mania (ups)
I feel powerful. I can do anything
Friends tell me that I’ve been acting different. They tell me that I’m starting fights, talking louder, and getting more angry. Signs of depression (downs)
Other signs of bipolar disorder
My ups and downs cause problems at work and at home. If you checked several boxes in these lists, call your doctor. You may need to get a checkup and find out if you have bipolar disorder. STEP 2. Understand that bipolar disorder is a real illness. Bipolar disorder is more than the usual ups and downs of life. It is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. The up feeling is called mania and the down feelings are called depression. Most people with bipolar disorder go back and forth between mania and depression. Some people have both feelings at the same time, which is called a mixed state. More than 2 million Americans have bipolar disorder. It can happen to anyone, no matter what age you are or where you come from. STEP 3. See your doctor. Don’t wait. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling. Get a medical checkup to rule out any other illnesses that might be causing your mood changes. Ask your doctor to send you to a psychiatrist (a medical doctor trained in helping people with bipolar disorder. If you don’t have a doctor, check your local phone book. Go to the government services pages (they might be blue in color) and look for “health clinics” or “community health centers.” Call one near you and ask for help. STEP 4. Get treatment for your bipolar disorder. You can feel better. There are two common types of treatment for bipolar disorder:
Having both kinds of treatment usually works best. It is important to get help because bipolar disorder can get worse without treatment. Bipolar disorder is a long-term illness that needs to be treated throughout a person’s lifetime. Medicine See the psychiatrist your doctor suggests. He or she can prescribe medicines that work to control your moods. These medicines are called “mood stabilizers.” You also may need to take other medicines to help treat your illness. |
|
This site is hosted as a public service by Castles Information Network |
