Laura’s Law – Assisted Outpatient Treatment – Follow-Up

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 28, 2011

Well now, that was quite the number of impassioned comments. I did realize that by writing about Laura’s Law (Assisted Outpatient Treatment) there would be some contention, but I didn’t realize quite how much. Thanks to everyone who wrote in well clear, thoughtful comments. (For those whose comments weren’t of that ilk, please review the comment policy here at the Bipolar Burble.)

Due to the number of responses, I have been unable to address them each individually, but I would like to point a few things out in general.

Breaking Bipolar Reading Round-Up

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 23, 2011

Happy holidays all.

I’m a pretty busy gal right now, so not a lot of time to write new material. I promise I’ll try to get to something new next week.

However, while you’re waiting, have you caught up on all your Breaking Bipolar articles? No? I didn’t think so. Here’s a run-down on some of what I’ve been doing over at HealthyPlace:

Last Minute Holiday Tips for the Bipolar – just published today. Here are four things you should know before you get any deeper into the holidays.
What 2011 Taught us About Mental Illness – a wrap-up of the top ten things research taught us about mental illness last year including: bipolar misdiagnosis, bipolar treatment success predictor, mania treatment comparison and antipsychotic information. Part one and part two.
You’re Narcissistic! Getting Over Insults – How one reader got to me even though I knew they shouldn’t have.
Celebrating Mental Health News – on why we should celebrate the good moments in mental illness.
How to Choose a Good Psychiatrist – one I’ve touched on here but in more detail.
Bipolar Disorder Thought Types – have you ever considered the odd types of thoughts you have a person with a mental illness? I have.
The Importance of Self-Care in Bipolar Disorder – tips on self-care plus a video.
Sexual Health and Bipolar Disorder – the sexual concerns of people with mental illness.

Laura’s Law – Forced Treatment, Saved Lives

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 19, 2011

Some of you may have heard of Laura’s Law in California or Kendra’s Law (similar) in New York. These laws, and similar laws across 42 states, allow for court-ordered treatment of mental illness as a condition of community living.

In other words, they strong-arm people into treatment and this could be seen as treatment without consent. (It’s hard to argue consent when your ability to live outside a locked facility is in jeopardy.)

And this is a very good thing. It is saving lives (among other things).

Active Placebos, Depression Influencers and Depression Prognosis – 3 New Things

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 14, 2011

Time to learn another three new things about mental health. This week we have:

Further discussion on Antidepressant Effectiveness (vs. Placebos)
Infographic on influential depression information sources
Depression prognosis over 10 years

Drug Trials, Antidepressants and Placebo Effect – Is it Bad?

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 12, 2011

When drug trials are conducted, the gold standard (and requirement for FDA approval) is a double-blind placebo-controlled study. In this kind of drug study participants are randomly assigned to receive either the medication or an inert (does nothing) pill known as a placebo. Neither the doctor not the patient knows whether they are getting the placebo or the real drug.

The study then compares what happens to those who received the real drug versus those who received the placebo and determines the efficacy of the real drug.

The Placebo Effect

This is critical because of something known as the “placebo effect.” The placebo effect is this odd scenario where people get better just because you give them a pill, even if the pill does nothing. Doctors and scientists don’t understand the placebo effect but not only will people get better on a placebo, but they will even experience side effects – something that isn’t possible given that the placebo is inert. But the brain is a powerful thing and something we don’t fully understand.

And one of the problems with antidepressants (and many medications) is that sometimes they aren’t better than the placebo. Additionally, sometimes when they are better than the placebo, it’s only by a small margin. Drug companies have to prove that their drug is statistically significantly better than a placebo in order to get FDA approval but even this statistically significant amount can be very small.

However, this isn’t a piece about how effective are when antidepressants are compared to placebos. This is a piece about how effective antidepressants are compared to no treatment.

Personal Story of Medication Noncompliance

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 7, 2011

It is politically incorrect to say medication “noncompliance.” I suppose this is because it gives the idea that the person taking medication is “complying” to some authority figure and not consciously making the decision on their own.

I get that. But whether you call it medication noncompliance or medication non-adherence, the result is the same – the person is not taking their medications as prescribed by a doctor.

And medication noncompliance can lead to devastating consequences not only in the short-term but in the long-term as well. One reader shares her experience in her own words.

What’s up at the Bipolar Burble? Good News

Posted by Natasha Tracy | Dec 6, 2011

I don’t like to write too many self-referential posts because I’m pretty sure masturbatory navel-gazing isn’t why people come here. However, now and then people like to know what’s up.

And right now there are exciting things afoot at the Bipolar Burble and for me as well so I thought I’d let you know about them.