Link Minds, Like Mine TV ad (WMV format)
We are featuring the second of three TV Ads developed in New Zealand by the Link Minds, Like Mine programme. This highly successful anti discrimination programme has been very effective in presenting to the people of New Zealand how mental health problems affect many of our neighbors and friends. You can see the first of the three ads about Lana on our IIMHL website. It may take sometime to download this file especially if you are not using a DSL line.
Monday, May 10, 2004
The Use of Dual-Action Antidepressants in the Treatment of Depression
Article at Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - " Since the late 1980s, with the introduction of fluoxetine, the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, the treatment of depression has become much more of a commonplace phenomenon. The SSRIs' efficacy, side-effect profile, and safety allowed the pharmacologic treatment of depression to take a huge leap. Because of the ease of prescribing these agents and their wide therapeutic index, nonpsychiatric practitioners increasingly began to utilize them in the treatment of depression in primary care settings. However, it quickly became apparent that the SSRIs were not a panacea for the treatment of depression. As much as 30% to 40% of patients did not respond to these agents, and many responders never did achieve full remission of their depressive symptoms. Onset of action continued to be slow, with at least 3-4 weeks needed to assess if the medication would be effective. SSRIs were not free of side effects, with sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal effects, and increased anxiety commonplace complaints from patients..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
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Article at Medscape Psychiatry & Mental Health - " Since the late 1980s, with the introduction of fluoxetine, the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, the treatment of depression has become much more of a commonplace phenomenon. The SSRIs' efficacy, side-effect profile, and safety allowed the pharmacologic treatment of depression to take a huge leap. Because of the ease of prescribing these agents and their wide therapeutic index, nonpsychiatric practitioners increasingly began to utilize them in the treatment of depression in primary care settings. However, it quickly became apparent that the SSRIs were not a panacea for the treatment of depression. As much as 30% to 40% of patients did not respond to these agents, and many responders never did achieve full remission of their depressive symptoms. Onset of action continued to be slow, with at least 3-4 weeks needed to assess if the medication would be effective. SSRIs were not free of side effects, with sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal effects, and increased anxiety commonplace complaints from patients..." [Viewing Medscape resources requires registration, which is free].
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One Drug Treats Both Sides of Bipolar Disorder
Health Day News story at Yahoo - "For the first time, doctors have found a single drug that can treat both the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The antipsychotic medication Seroquel currently is approved for short-term treatment of acute manic episodes. But findings presented May 5 at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in New York City show it also is effective in treating depressive episodes. The study involved a randomized trial of 542 patients with bipolar depression at 39 sites in the United States..."
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Health Day News story at Yahoo - "For the first time, doctors have found a single drug that can treat both the manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder. The antipsychotic medication Seroquel currently is approved for short-term treatment of acute manic episodes. But findings presented May 5 at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in New York City show it also is effective in treating depressive episodes. The study involved a randomized trial of 542 patients with bipolar depression at 39 sites in the United States..."
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The Disability Movement Turns to Brains
May 9 New York Times story - "As the number of Americans with brain disorders grows, so has skepticism toward the grab bag of syndromes they are being tagged with, from A.D.D. to Asperger's to bipolar I, II or III. But in a new kind of disabilities movement, many of those who deviate from the shrinking subset of neurologically "normal" want tolerance, not just of their diagnoses, but of their behavioral quirks. They say brain differences, like body differences, should be embraced, and argue for an acceptance of 'neurodiversity.' And as psychiatrists and neurologists uncover an ever-wider variety of brain wiring, the norm, many agree, may increasingly be deviance..." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
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May 9 New York Times story - "As the number of Americans with brain disorders grows, so has skepticism toward the grab bag of syndromes they are being tagged with, from A.D.D. to Asperger's to bipolar I, II or III. But in a new kind of disabilities movement, many of those who deviate from the shrinking subset of neurologically "normal" want tolerance, not just of their diagnoses, but of their behavioral quirks. They say brain differences, like body differences, should be embraced, and argue for an acceptance of 'neurodiversity.' And as psychiatrists and neurologists uncover an ever-wider variety of brain wiring, the norm, many agree, may increasingly be deviance..." [Viewing New York Times resources requires registration, which is free].
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GPs called on to treat mental health patients (New Zealand)
Christchurch Star story - "Christchurch GPs are being used in a pilot scheme to treat the mentally ill in a bid cut down on the amount of time specialists spend with patients. The scheme has been met with support by some in the medical profession, but others are urging caution and are worried it could simply be a cheaper way of treating mental patients. The scheme involves five general practices in the city involved in assessing, treating and discharging the mentally ill into the community. Four pilots started last August, with a combined budget of $150,000. They will report back next year. Mental health director Vince Barry said the Canterbury District Health Board needed to find ways to re-distribute mental health funds more efficiently. Early feed-back had shown at least one pilot was working extremely well, he said..."
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Christchurch Star story - "Christchurch GPs are being used in a pilot scheme to treat the mentally ill in a bid cut down on the amount of time specialists spend with patients. The scheme has been met with support by some in the medical profession, but others are urging caution and are worried it could simply be a cheaper way of treating mental patients. The scheme involves five general practices in the city involved in assessing, treating and discharging the mentally ill into the community. Four pilots started last August, with a combined budget of $150,000. They will report back next year. Mental health director Vince Barry said the Canterbury District Health Board needed to find ways to re-distribute mental health funds more efficiently. Early feed-back had shown at least one pilot was working extremely well, he said..."
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Mental health access dips despite more funds (New Zealand)
New Zealand Herald story - " Access to treatment for serious mental illnesses has grown slightly worse, despite more Government spending and plans for expansion. The Mental Health Commission found that in the six months to last June, 1.6 per cent of the population was seen by specialist mental health services. This was down from the 1.7 per cent seen in the first half of 2002 and the same as the 2001 figure. Based on British research, it is estimated that 3 per cent of New Zealanders have a severe mental illness. The Government's mental health blueprint assumes this part of the population will need treatment by specialist services in any six-month period..."
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New Zealand Herald story - " Access to treatment for serious mental illnesses has grown slightly worse, despite more Government spending and plans for expansion. The Mental Health Commission found that in the six months to last June, 1.6 per cent of the population was seen by specialist mental health services. This was down from the 1.7 per cent seen in the first half of 2002 and the same as the 2001 figure. Based on British research, it is estimated that 3 per cent of New Zealanders have a severe mental illness. The Government's mental health blueprint assumes this part of the population will need treatment by specialist services in any six-month period..."
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Copyright 2003 © Bill Davis.
IIMHL Update is a project done in collaboration with MHCA and the Centre for Community Change International. IIMHL Update is powered by Radio Userland.