SOME HELPFUL NEWS

By Michelle Longo-Bloom
October, 2009

I would like to take the time to share with you some alternative treatmemt options for Bipolar illness:

Chiropractic treatments and mental wellness. The theory behind this is explained by the presence and absence of brain chemicals that make us feel good. When the body is properly aligned, chemicals known as neurotransmitters are released in a specific sequence, like falling dominoes. These neurotransmitters act as messengers to send certain optimal amounts of serotonin and dopamine to the brain. Serotonin and dopamine are chemicals which when released promote a sense of happiness, pleasurable feelings and positive well-being. If however, the spinal chord is not in order, the misalignment's can cause pressure and tension on surrounding tissue, interrupting this feel-good sequence. You can learn more about this process @ http://www.life%20chiropractic%20center/

I am also looking into acupuncture in conjunction with the chiropractic treatments. The notion behind this, aside from the general rule of thumb, "TRY EVERYTHING", is that acupuncture is known to restore imbalances found in the body. Based on a holistic approach, acupuncture consists of fine needles inserted along various points in the body, with the purpose of stimulating the body's flow of energy and functionality, known as Qi. Though acupuncture has been traditionally taught as a preventive form of health care, it has also been proven effective in the treatment of pain and chronic conditions. To learn more about this you can simply go to google and search "acupuncture & depression."

Even more interesting is that a research study done back in 2002 showed the positive effects of acupuncture and bipolar disorder in which the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) awarded Southwestern's Bipolar Disorder Clinic and Research Program a grant to further study the effects of acupuncture on bipolar disorder.

NIMH Awards Grant to Study Acupuncture for Bipolar Disorder:

For further information on the study, visit http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/ or contact UT-Southwestern's Bipolar Disorder Clinic and Research Program at (214) 648-7474 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (214) 648-7474 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

A third option I am investigating involves hormones. It always struck me odd that during my pregnancy 16 years ago, I had not one symptom of either depression or bipolar illness. My days were mental trauma and incident free as well as free of any sadness. I was in my best mental state of my entire life and I had a wonderful and positive sense of well-being for 9 months. With in weeks after I gave birth my symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder began to sky rocket. I do know that during pregnancy a woman's hormones change, increase I believe. Now in my mid-forties, I was struck with abrupt and early onset menopause when my hormones are changing yet again and I am having a very difficult time. This certainly suggests to me that hormones are playing a huge role in my bipolar and depression affliction. With this in mind, I am looking into the possibility of natural hormone replacement therapy, specifically, "Biodentical."

I am however very cautious about this idea and will be fine tooth examining it before taking any steps towards implementation as there is a lot of controversial research out on this subject. In addition, I am even more skeptical about this because my mother is a breast cancer survivor which can be quite risky for me. If anyone has any knowledge or feedback on this particular option I would greatly appreciate it. So far, all of the advantages and positive things I have learned about it is from the "Biodentical" web site itself which could very well be marketing information. I have not met with a hormone specialist yet, but my OB-GYN has very blatantly referred me against this option claiming the hormones are not natural, they are synthetic just like all other replacement hormones for women and it is not safe. If you would like to read more about this just google "biodentical hormones" or go to: http://www.womentowomen.com/

Finally, my father came across a very interesting article about one woman's triumph against severe depression through running. He alerted me to this immediately and instead of quoting the article piece by piece, I would just like to share the following link with you so that you can read this woman's story on your own. It is most compelling and elicits a lot of hope!!!

When Drugs and Therapy Don't Cure Depression, Running Will

Well, that's all for now. Sorry I was away for so long. Still more to come on good reads of the past on Bipolar Disorder and mental health insurance issues.

Continue to be Graced with the Colors of Life, please don't loose site of your rainbows and continue to stay hopeful.

~Michellewrites~

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HELP FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

By Michelle Longo-Bloom
April, 2007


I remember it like it was yesterday, only it wasn’t. It was thirteen years ago. Until this day my husband says he doesn’t know which was worse: hearing our newborn infant son cry or watching me rock back and forth from the noise of the cry. I hadn’t showered in days, maybe even weeks and I looked like a homeless victim. There was no doubt that I belonged in a psychiatric hospital but at the time my husband and I had no idea. I was completely incapacitated, riddled with anxiety and hopelessly depressed. I had no clue as to how I was going to take care of my newborn child in this state of mind and I was completely panicked. However, the panic only lasted until the depression became even more severe, at which point I didn’t even care enough to feel panicked. All I cared about was escaping. I simply wanted to die.

In any given year, 25% of women struggle with postpartum depression (PPD). What is even more astounding—and tragic—is that most women never seek treatment and suffer in silence. Clearly, mothers need to get the message that help is available. This serious and dangerous condition can be treated effectively and can be avoided if everyone concerned is alert to the warning signs and the right treatment program is implemented.

I am very passionate about this subject because of how I have suffered. I was diagnosed with atypical, treatment-resistant/refractory depression and Bipolar II disorder which became much more severe after the birth of my son 13 years ago. I wish some of the treatments available now had been available to me back then.

Postpartum Depression, or “The Baby Blues”
About 50 to 60% of women who give birth suffer from postpartum blues (“baby blues”), which is less severe than postpartum depression. Postpartum blues is usually characterized by an emotional letdown due to persistent pain and fatigue, overwhelming fears and concerns about the new responsibilities of motherhood, and about self and body-image after the pregnancy. It typically begins right after birth to 2-3 weeks after and lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The woman usually recovers once a proper schedule and supportive environment are in place. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, has seven warning signs that all health care professionals—as well as anyone close to the woman—should be looking out for after a woman gives birth and several weeks to months afterwards:

• Depressed mood and loss of interest in most activities
• A significant change in appetite or weight
• Excessive sleep or insomnia
• Agitated or excessively withdrawn behavior
• Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Difficulty concentrating
• Recurrent thoughts of death and suicide

If you have been experiencing these symptoms for two weeks or more, get in touch with your OB-GYN doctor to talk about them. He or she will be able to refer you to a mental health professional or center where you will get the treatment you require.

Are You at High Risk for Postpartum Depression?
These are the factors that expectant mothers should be aware of:

• A history of depression or any other mental illness
• A history of depression or any other mental illness among family members: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts/uncles
• Marital or relationship problems
• An unwanted pregnancy
• Isolation and an unhealthy sense of self-sufficiency can exacerbate postpartum depression.

If you think you might be at risk, discuss this with your OB-GYN before or at the onset of your pregnancy.

Leaving the Shame Behind

Postpartum depression can be completely debilitating, and taking care of a newborn in that state can be terrifying. If left untreated, this illness has the potential to lead to tragedy. Yet women with postpartum depression are often hesitant to talk about how they feel and often do not ask for help. They may feel they are expected to be happy at this time in their lives, and may be ashamed that they are unhappy and unable to cope. Mental illness is as physical as any other illness, such as cancer and diabetes—it affects the brain through a chemical imbalance. It is especially important to be unashamed of postpartum depression and to ask for help, knowing it is a widespread condition that can be treated.

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity, there are different treatment options. If it is a very severe case, it is recommended that you get in touch with a psychiatrist from a nearby mental health clinic or someone privately. I am sure your OB-GYN doctor could also recommend someone and at the end of this article a list of resources is provided as well.
A severe case of PPD will most likely warrant medication in conjunction with some type of psychotherapy. The two types of psychotherapy that I chose to use are interpersonal (talk) therapy and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is about changing your thought patterns. Support groups are also very helpful.

Resources

• “This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression”    by
Karen Kleiman and Valerie Raskin.
• “Down Came the Rain: My Journey through Postpartum Depression” by Brooke Shields
• Postpartum Support International-805-967-7636; U.S: 800-944-4PPD
• Postpartum Resource Center of New York: 631- 422-2255
• For additional resources, contact Dr. Rebecca Abramson, Clinical Psychologist specializing in Womens’ Issues at 914-997-6490 / 914-421-1500 x331

Sources

1) National Institute of Mental Health: www.nimh.nih.gov, April, 2006.
2) Russell G. Robertson, MD, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, September, 2001.


Michelle Longo-Bloom is a school psychologist who now spends most of her time writing on depression and mental health related topics and advocating for victims of mental disease. Her book Over the Rainbow: A Story of Life, Love, and Family with Bipolar Disorder is in the process of being looked at for publication.

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MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE
A TRUE DILEMMA

By Michelle Longo-Bloom
May, 2008

I happen to have, who I feel, is a very good doctor who treats my bipolar illness. His practice is on the upper west side in Manhattan. He is a psychiatrist who specializes in pharmacological drugs for the treatment of mental illnesses, mostly bipolar disorder. It is my further assumption that many of his patients have been diagnosed with “treatment-resistant” depression (TRD), like me, at one time or another. Although he is not much of a talker, his pharmacological background and expertise has saved me from many situations which could have ended in dreadful outcomes. For talking, there is a whole separate doctor. She is called my psychotherapist and for someone with my condition, that is also imperative. So, what more could I ask for? In addressing my mental health, for the safety and treatment of my “mental” well being and for meeting my specific needs, the importance of these doctors is non-negotiable! The issue at hand ...that happens to be “cost” and “worth.” It is no secret that about 60 – 70 percent of the time I am being helped by my psychiatrist/psycho-pharmacologist and for someone with my diagnosis, those are very satisfactory numbers, hence the phrase, “it is well worth it” or better yet, “money well spent!” But a genuine question gets posed now. At what point and at how much money do we define the words “worth” and “well spent???” It would be equally easy to just stop typing right here and now and end this post with that all too common statement, “everything’s relative.” I’m sure the obvious is however suspected - this is NOT going in that direction, rather quite the opposite. In this case, everything is NOT relative!

The cost of my psychiatrist/psycho-pharmacologist is $275 just to get new prescriptions of the same medications I am on. This may include at times a 20 minute talk session or a 30 minute talk session up to 45 minutes, after which the price goes higher. If you are a new patient seeking help, the consultation fee is triple that for 90 minutes. A doctor I had consulted with over ten years ago whose fee of $500 for the first 45 minutes and $300 for each 20 minute session thereafter outraged me, so much so that I also alluded to it in my book when discussing this issue. The cost of a good child psychologist today is about $220 for one 45 minute weekly session. To stay in a decent in-patient hospital if ever needed, one where other sick patients aren’t urinating in the public showers, the cost can easily run up to $1500 a day. The problem is that many health insurance companies do not cover mental disabilities or if they do they have their own “in-network” providers. While I am sure many of the in-network providers are just as credible and qualified, I have not yet been fortunate enough to find one that meets my needs. Fortunately, due to family support, I am in a “bracket” which allows me to get by with what I have to pay out for my psychiatric needs. But, here is my question: what about those people who are battling my same illness on a day to day basis and are not in the “bracket” I am fortunate enough to be in??? I happen to know a good handful of these people and it is far from a good situation for them. Their symptoms get increasingly worse simply because they cannot afford the cost of the doctor visits in order to get refills of their medications. Once they finally do get to a doctor, the cost of these medications is a separate issue entirely as we all know the story with the pharmaceutical companies. Some of my medications cost up to $1100 a month and my drug plan wants me to pay $30 a month after meeting a $250 deductible each year. This does not include the “donut hole” catch that you fall into after you have cost the company a certain $ amount allotment for the year, after which you must pay out of pocket for each medication. Do I sound like I want to run off a copy of this post, in hand, frantically darting to Washington to pay Obama a visit? Do I sound like I want to be living in Canada? I know these issues are being worked on, but in the meantime, there are too may people who are ill, and continue to suffer, some with unnecessary fatal outcomes that could have been avoided had they been able to afford the proper treatment. I have a special regard and abundance of empathy for those of you who share in my diagnosis of TRD. To have refractory illnesses in this country is almost sinful for the average middle class income population, not to mention lower class bracket and poverty stricken individuals. I am not imposing that this is not the case with all medical health insurance, but is it fair that I got better because I could afford to? Either way, it is unacceptable.

 

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YOU’RE WONDERFUL
(Dealing with Learning Disabilities)

By Michelle Longo-Bloom
June 1, 2007


Back in the spring of 1970 when clogs, buffalo sandals and bell bottom jeans were the hottest items in the fashion trend, in the days before the term “Learning Disabled” was even a mere thought, I was in the third grade. I remember being in grade school and even though I wore all the right looking Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin clothing, I was still an oddity. Why, because my parents had told me that my third grade teacher recommended that I repeat the third grade, (really, just a nicer way of saying, “You’re going to be left back.”) I was a very shy, withdrawn and subservient child who never argued any decisions that were made concerning my life or my desires in general. I was too insecure and felt too inferior to think that what I thought mattered. In my eyes, everyone else knew what was best for me and I had complete trust and faith in that notion.

Through years of academic struggling, I somehow learned ways to compensate for my learning disabilities which I am sure I would have been diagnosed with if that term existed back then. By the time I got to college, I had figured out that I could save a lot of money as I never had to buy one single text book. Why? Because I absolutely knew, in no uncertain terms, that there was no information or material in the text that I could read and grasp. I simply resigned myself to the fact that I was an auditory learner and I could never cut a class as I relied so heavily on my own notes; the notes I heard and wrote down myself from each and every lecture. Not only was I one of the wealthiest girls on campus as I was stashing all of the book money my parents were giving me each semester, but I was also probably the only student to be to be “Learning Disabled” and making the “Dean’s List” every semester. This was quite a feat for me in light of the fact that I was told by my high school guidance counselor to pursue vocational / “beauty” school. At the risk of sounding smug and arrogant, there is a point I am trying to make here. After college, I went on to Graduate School and became a certified school psychologist so that I could go on to diagnose and classify children properly and hopefully save them from third grade experiences and high school guidance counselors like mine.

Learning disabilities are genetic. They are usually inherited from previous family members who had them whether they knew it or not, as in my son’s case who inherited his exact learning disability from me. If they could have put my son’s precise learning disability or problematic learning areas into words thirty-seven years ago, they would have had me. While certain environmental factors may contribute, learning disabilities have a strong genetic component. Because we can’t change the genetic component, it is imperative that we, as parents, work really hard to change the environmental component. In addition to making sure that our learning disabled children get all of the proper academic and remedial services they require, it is our responsibility to create as positive an environment as possible for them so that they don’t end up feeling the way I felt as a child and throughout most of my adolescence---- stripped of all self-confidence!

The messages that you get from your household members as a child growing up and developing can most definitely form an imprint in your brain. This is the imprint which enables you to think confidently and refute all of your “irrational negative thoughts” the second that they pop up in your head and replace them with “rational positive thoughts” automatically and unconsciously. This is the adult outcome for children who are repeatedly told and reminded “how wonderful” they are and that there is nothing in this world that they cannot do. In my parents generation however, that really wasn’t emphasized the way it is today, and although I grew up always feeling very loved by my parents, I don’t think that they engaged in too much of that type of dialogue with us. They made sure we were fed; they made sure we were clean; they kept us safe, and they hugged and kissed us all the time. But, my parents’ generation wasn’t so psychologically
minded, or as “enlightened” as we are today, about the importance of praise and positive reinforcement for children. It’s just not how things were then. When I came home from school I wasn’t greeted with: “Hi honey, how was school? Tell me all about your day,” the way my son is, most of the time, today. I was lucky if I got through the door most days escaping the look of dissatisfaction for tracking mud on the kitchen floor. And, as I sincerely mean no offense to my parents, I guess it was just old school thinking to be greeted with, “TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!” before “How was school?” Maybe this is a good sign in terms of how our generation of children will grow up with all of today’s psychologically minded manners with which they are treated in both schools and most homes.


I tell my son that he is “wonderful” almost every day, and if not, then I find something positive to say to him before the end of each day. And believe me; this is not always easy on the days when he is really pushing the limits. I don’t always feel like telling him “how wonderful” he is when he leaves for school in the morning and his bed isn’t made, his clothes are scattered all over his room and his bathroom sink is filled with tooth paste. I don’t always feel like telling him “how wonderful” he is when he comes home from school and the second he walks in the door attempts the bargaining process with me over his two favorite topics: one, how long he could wait before starting his homework and two, if he could stay up later tonight because “there is a really good show on TV that he just has to see.” And I certainly don’t feel like telling him “how wonderful” he is when he is asking me for an increase in his allowance if he starts walking the dog, which is his pet to begin with. And after all of this, and him pushing the limits, and me, to the very edge, it is not all that easy to get those words out. But, after I am through screaming and yelling at him for all of the above, at some point before he goes to sleep, I do tell him just “how wonderful” he is. I do this because in spite of all those annoying things that he and all kids do, I still think that he is the most wonderful and incredible kid on this earth, and I think it is imperative that he hears that every single day and grows up truly believing that there is nothing in this world that he can’t accomplish. For a learning disabled child or any child, this will make all the difference in the world in their eagerness, their motivation to thrive, and their ability to be exceptional. All of our children are special and they should be made to feel that way. It is the key to their success; it is the key to their happiness!

Muddy shoes and all, my parents only wanted what was best for me, and other than just listening to the so called “professionals”, they didn’t quite know how to go about getting it for me back then.

Today we do.

Problems with Self Esteem
(Is It Too Boosted?)

By Michelle Longo-Bloom
November 3, 2008

Is there such a thing as too high a self-esteem? Current research says that kids today are far more self-centered and have a sense of “entitlement” that is far greater than ever before. (Current Events, 4.30.07, Issue 25, Volume 106). Look around you, observe other children while in stores with their parents and what they’re asking for, or shall I say, what they’re demanding. Think about your own children. As I do this, these findings do not surprise me in the least. The data further showed that kids born after 1982 are “the most narcissistic generation in history.” In a survey taken, eight out of ten kids said they wanted to be “rich”, half said “famous” and only three out of ten said they wanted to “help people” when they grow up. This does not fare well for our future. These kids turn into teenagers who possess a very strong sense of entitlement. With this comes young people in very powerful positions who are overly vain and self-absorbed (Jean Twenge, San Diego University). This presents for a highly compelling argument. Some say self-esteem is what leads kids to make a difference. It gives them the confidence to try new things and succeed. “The world would be a depressing place if everyone thought they were average” as stated by Laura Reeve in the University of California’s Daily Trojan paper. The study’s critics say that self-esteem is important for success and to label an entire generation as raging egomaniacs is unfair.

Interestingly enough, last year I myself was on the far latter side of this argument. I took a stance that every child should be told “they are wonderful” at the close of each day regardless of all behavior…it is what they should hear before they close their eyes and go to sleep. Here was my rational: “The messages that you get from your household members as a child growing up and developing can most definitely form an imprint in your brain. This is the imprint which enables you to think confidently and refute all of your “irrational negative thoughts” the second that they pop up in your head and replace them with “rational positive thoughts” automatically and unconsciously. This is the adult outcome for children who are repeatedly praised and reminded that, “there is nothing in this world that they cannot do.”  I felt that this would make all the difference in the world in a child’s eagerness to learn, their motivation to thrive, and their ability to be exceptional. All of our children are special and they should be made to feel that way. It is the key to their success; it is the key to their happiness!” And there you have it, in black and white, naivety at its best …before I began looking around, or at what I was doing to the handsome youngster right before my eyes. I am almost embarrassed at the extreme position I took and only a year and a half later I am harshly re-evaluating it.

Now, at the risk of appearing too common place or not really having a stance, I venture to state the following: “I think it’s safe to say that there must be a middle ground. Yes, I agree with those, like Twenge, who argue that, ‘kids today are rewarded not for their achievements, but simply for their existence.’ Like anything else, I believe it’s a matter of boundaries, use and quantity: knowing when to praise and how much praise to offer is the key.” As put so eloquently by Sheila Okin, the writing coordinator at The Windward School, (my son’s school), “By falsely praising my daughter and not allowing her to make mistakes, I was not doing my job as a parent… I helped her by encouraging her strengths and supporting her through her weaknesses. Her accomplishments became her rewards.

The phrase, “You’re special”, has lost its meaning. When a child sneezes and is told, “You’re special”, we’re headed for trouble…a world of narcissistic, egotistical, 1980 generation maniacs who will think they can rule everything and anything. That is something I am concerned about and fearful of! As told to MSNBC by Dr. Joshua D. Sparrow, Harvard Medical School, “The correct definition of self-esteem does not include boosting a child’s ego by over-praising or praising falsely.” Let’s hope that as parents, teachers, adult role models and those our children look up to and respect, we can find a “middle ground” when praising, rewarding or raising a youngster’s self esteem so that we don’t end up in that scary world of incredibly narcissistic and egotistical young people. Let’s hope that we can find that “middle ground” so that we can continue to be held in high regard in our young people’s eyes and continue to be respected by them! That’s the way it should be!

References:

1. Current Events  –     04.30.07, Issue 35, Vol. 106
2. Sheila Okin      –     10.30.08, The Windward School