Welcome to the 66th edition of Mental Health Resources News - February 16, 2001
~ Keeping an Open Mind about Treatment
~ Ziprasidone Approved for Schizophrenia
~ New Newsletter Format on the Horizon
~ Right Side of Brain May be Key to Recognizing Yourself
~ Elsewhere on About: Narcotic Oxycontin: Savior or Killer?
~ Featured Forum Threads
---- Keeping an Open Mind about Treatment -----
People often seem to have their minds made-up in advance about how they need to be treated. Some want a pill and are very hesitant to seek therapy. Others don't like to take pills and will resist any suggestion that a medication might be helpful. Since both can be helpful, I'd recommend that you don't rule out either form of treatment.
http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/weekly/aa021201a.htm
----- Ziprasidone Approved for Schizophrenia -----
The FDA has approved a new atypical antipsychotic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia in the U.S. Ziprasidone is a serotonin and dopamine antagonist. It's maker, Pfizer, claims that it does not cause weight gain. The trade name for this medication has not been finalized, even though it is due out in March. Find out more information at:
http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/sci/0201/blpfiz201.htm
---- New Newsletter Format on the Horizon ----
About is updating the software that is used to send newsletters. Starting with an upcoming issue, the newsletter will be sent in multi-MIME format - which sends an HTML newsletter to those who can receive it that way, but sends a text-only version to those who can't read the HTML version. This change should be better for everyone, but I'll be here to receive your feedback on it.
---- Right Side of Brain May be Key to Recognizing Yourself ----
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston have found that the right side of the brain helps people recognize themselves in a picture. The study joins a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the right hemisphere plays an important role in self-awareness, which scientists believe is one aspect of human consciousness. The research is published in the Jan. 18 issue of the weekly journal Nature. Read more at:
http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/sci/0201/blbeth0201.htm
----- Narcotic Oxycontin: Savior or Killer? ----- from the Headaches Guide
Praised as a miracle drug for those with chronic pain, OxyContin is now being abused as a street drug, and people are dying. What's going on, and how will this affect those who NEED it?
http://headaches.about.com/library/weekly/aa021301a.htm
---------------- Featured Forum Threads --------------
Prejudice against Meds or Therapy
I think the reason that I didn't want to see a psychologist was first because I thought that my thinking would somehow be changed and I wouldn't really be me anymore. I had some weird perception that psychologists are just out to mess with your head and play head games but now from being in this forum and seeing how you deal with people and spending the two hours with this psychologist, my thoughts are changing about psychologists.
I have a serious problem with doctors who just prescribe drugs like antidepressants for depressed people. Why don't they find out what is making the person so sad (by talking) instead of just giving them drugs for it for months and months ??
http://forums.about.com/ab-mentalhealth/messages?msg=867.1
I received my first diagnosis of Paranoia during a brief hospital stay in Jun 98 at the age of 34. I ended up escaping the hospital in fear that my roommate might kill me. I refused to take medication at the time since I thought it was part of a plot to give me a heart attack. I ended up staying in a couple more hospitals before I finally was released without escaping.
http://forums.about.com/ab-mentalhealth/messages?msg=853.1
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Remember to start your mental health searches at Mental Health Search http://mentalhealth.about.com/library/blsearch.htm
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If you like my site, you should also check out these related About.com sites: http://depression.about.com; http://incestabuse.about.com; http://panicdisorder.about.com; http://alcoholism.about.com; http://psychology.about.com; http://add.about.com; http://eatingdisorders.about.com; and http://bipolar.about.com
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Leonard Holmes, Ph.D.