The MoodGYM training program - Even Keel Support Association
Transcription
The MoodGYM training program - Even Keel Support Association
T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S Even Keel Our aim at Even Keel is to offer friendship, understanding, information and a sense of hope to people living with Bipolar or other disorders. A Quarterly Newsletter Editorial Support Groups Michael our newsletter editor asks the question “How much does nurture or nature impact on sufferers of bipolar?” Page 2 Want to know when and where our support groups meet? Here is our most up to date and comprehensive list of meetings and leader contacts Page 2 Winter 2012 How my black dog helps me beat the blues Bipolar sufferer tells of long struggle Act-Belong-Commit release an app for the iPhone Vanderbilt professor depicts son's bipolar disorder Chris Paine shares his journey battling with the black dog and some things his real life four legged friend Jethro has taught him about how to deal with it. Pages 4-5 Norma Jean Wilkes, of Winston-Salem, has lived for decades with bipolar disorder. Pages 6-7 Act Belong Commit App provides general information and guidance on how people can stay mentally healthy in their everyday lives Page 12 Charlotte Pierce-Baker, a Vanderbilt University professor, has written a book about her family's struggles with her son's bipolar disorder. Page 13 The MoodGYM training program • Knowing what makes you upset • Assertiveness and interpersonal skills training Want to get more out of life? Improve the way you handle What will I get from MoodGYM? relationships? Learn how to protect yourself from developing emotional problems? We would like to think that by the time you finish MoodGYM you will have: Feeling irritable? Worried, nervous or upset about little things? Having trouble organising your priorities? Then • An understanding of how emotions arise, and how MoodGYM might be just the program for you. they might be modified • Learned how to modify your thinking so that you MoodGYM goals are less prone to get upset • Picked up a few hints on managing stress MoodGYM aims to: • Learned a few things about what influences self• Help you identify and overcome problem emotions esteem • Show you how to develop good coping skills for • Developed a better understanding of relationships the future so that you can enjoy good mental health and how they might be handled • Developed some practical ways to help you cope What's in MoodGYM? with difficult events What you won't have learned MoodGYM is a free, fun, interactive program consisting of a • You won't have learned to suppress or deny your number of different modules. feelings. • You won't have become a robot. These are designed to be completed in order. • You won't have learned to be helped forever, you will need to keep up your mood exercises. The modules explore issues such as: • Why you feel the way you do • Changing the way you think • Changing 'warped' thoughts Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. Interested in trying MoodGYM? (It is free). Go to http://moodgym.anu.edu.au 1 T H FROM R O OUR U G H D I EDITOR Our Winter 2012 newsletter could be said to take as its theme the discussion of whether illness’s such as bipolar come down to nature or nurture. F F I C U L T I E S T EVEN KEEL BIPOLAR DISORDER SUPPORT ASSOCIATION INC In an article on page 3 we read in the words c/- June O'Connor Centre of Dr Swann, "the differing biological 2 Nicholson Rd Subiaco WA 6008 properties of unipolar and bipolar depression office@evenkeel.org.au suggest that treatments that were originally http://evenkeel.org.au/ intended for unipolar depression may not be http://forums.evenkeel.org.au/ optimal for bipolar depression." To put it (08) 9388 9869 another way Dr Swann is saying here that the different natures of the individuals Open Mondays and Fridays 9.30a– 3.30p requires different treatments for there We meet at: different disorders. SUBIACO Other articles in the issue make links with external nurture like substances such as June O’Connor Centre gluten (page 7), pollen and exercise (pages 2 Nicholson Rd, Subiaco WA 6008 Friday 10:30a-11:30a 10 & 11). Contact: The office on 9388 9869 But does it have to be a case of one or the PERTH CITY other? Could both nurture and nature lie at the heart of the illness? In the previously Senior Citizens CitiPlace mentioned article on gluten it does well to Perth Railway Platform (above Platform write:9) 11.30a-1.00p the last Wednesday of “The relationship between mental illness and nutrition is complex and not well understood. Mental disorders involve biological, psychological and environmental factors. Biological aspects include genetics, medical issues and nutrition. Psychological issues are related to childhood conflicts, developmental stages and internal motivations. Environment, like biology, often includes nutrition and other external occurrences. Thus, understanding bipolar disorder and gluten examines biological and environmental aspects of the disorder.” Whether bipolar comes down to nature or nurture what we need to keep at the forefront of our minds is that life throws up some things we can control and some things we can’t. Other articles in this issue give us the tools to be able to know the difference between the two (see the article on Moodgym page 1 and page 14) and remind us that we are not alone in this journey (see pages 4-7 & 13). each month Contact: Shirley on 9258 3241 RIVERTON (formerly O’Connor) Riverton McDonalds Restaurant 363 High Road, Riverton 6-8p, 2nd Tuesday of each month Contact : Lyn on 0404 022 902. YOKINE O T H E S T A R S CANNINGTON Masons Landing Marriamup St Cannington 1-3p last Saturday of each month Contact Shirley on 9258 3241 MANDURAH 1-3p, 3rd Wednesday of each month Contact: Glenys 0418 828 387 for location. ONLINE http://evenkeel.org.au/ Avail 24hrs 7days Contact: (08) 9388 9869 BUSSELTON Salvation Army 94 Kent Street Busselton PO Box 260 Busselton 6280 10.00am - 4.00pm, Every Wednesday General Support Group 12pm Specialized Groups 1.00pm - 3.00pm (Booking Required) Contact: Bob on 9751 5866 INPATIENT INFORMATION SESSION SIR CHARLES GAIRDNER HOSPITAL 10.30am First Tuesday (Bi-Monthly) Contact: Kate on 9388 9869 FREMANTLE HOSPITAL Alma St Centre, Ward 51 10.30am 2nd Tuesday (Tri-Monthly) Contact: Kate 9388 9869 ROYAL PERTH HOSPITAL Yokine Community Centre C287 McDonald Street, Yokine 1-2:30p, Ward 2K 3rd Saturday of Each Month Contact: Shirley 9258 3241 Contact: The office on 9388 9869 BENTLEY HOSPITAL ROCKINGHAM Mills Street June O’Connor Center 3rd Wednesday of each month 8 Baralda Court Contact: Shirley 9258 3241 Rockingham WA 6168 FRANKLAND CENTRE, GRAYLANDS 12p, 2nd Friday of Each Month Contact: Ingrid (8a-8p) on 0412 522 387 9.30a 1st Thursday of each month Contact: Office on 9388 9869 JOONDALUP 1/20 Mercer Lane, Joondalup 1p, 3rd Possibly the best thing we can conclude is Thursday of each month Contact: that supporting and encouraging as much Freddie on 0439 804 061 research as is possible on both nurture and MIDLAND nature’s role will go a long way towards helping us understand this complex disease. In recess till further notice PaRK Mental Health Service Rockingham General Hospital Elanora Dve Contact: Ingrid (8a-8p) on 0412 522 387 Michael Hunt 2 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L Jaine Edge appointed as Chairperson for Even Keel T I E S T O T H E S T A R S Three quarters of respondents said their role as caregivers had adversely affected their relationships with family and friends, and 57 per cent said their financial situation had deteriorated. Jaine Edge was recently appointed as Chairperson at our July The Wesley Mission's Dr Keith Garner says they were 20th AGM. We “held the presses” so she could share the shocked by the number of careers who are under the age of following with us: 16. To all our members and associates, I am very pleased to have been appointed at our recent AGM as the new Chairperson for Even Keel for the next year. In talking to Ingrid and other committee members, it sounds like both an interesting and exciting time for the Association. At this time, I’d like to extend a special thank you to Ingrid, who has done a fantastic job as Chairperson over the last 12 months, along with her many other contributions & talents. I am very pleased that Ingrid will be my Vice Chairperson and I am sure I will learn many things from her as we work together for the benefit of our community. "Many that begin under the age of 16, who are actually caring for parents, and we've used the term caring till it hurts, and many of them have exactly that experience, "he said. He says more effort needs to be made to identify young carers in the community. "It's not just about money, we've called them the unsung heroes of our community, but it's about people being aware of their situation and offering appropriate support," he said. "So we've called upon health services, GPs and schools to be more ready to identify the approach that might come to them I look forward to meeting many of you over the next year & from young people who are deeply affected by it." encourage you to attend meetings where you can, to contribute Dr Garner says the group is formulating an action plan to try thoughts for the newsletter or to make suggestions on how you’d and address the issues identified in the report. like to see improvements made. "We're recommending that it's mandatory for teachers to be provided with an understanding of the presenting issues for children and young people who may actually be caregivers," As part of the Carers WA Education & Training program, he said. Carers WA are holding a series of FREE workshops for family carers in Mundaring. These workshops will cover all aspects Dr Garner says many carers do not seek help and there needs of being in a caring role, from looking after yourself to to be more of an effort made to reach out to them. Free workshops for family carers communicating effectively. They are also a great opportunity "We're convinced that this Wesley report raises questions for you to meet other carers in your area while relaxing and about the effect upon families and the fact that this actually enjoying a delicious lunch on us! carries long term cost, not only to them, but to our community also," he said. Dates of workshops (all Thursdays): • 30 August "It's a really urgent call to action." • 20 September • 11 October • 8 November • 29 November For further information and to register for these workshops, please contact the Carers WA Events team on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377). Young mental health carers 'struggling to cope' Source: abc.net.au, May 14, 2012 A survey has found a high number of children under the age of 16 are caring for relatives with mental health problems, and many of them are struggling to cope with the burden. More than 1,000 Australians were interviewed for the Wesley Mission report, which found 90 per cent of relatives of people with a mental illness are suffering physically, mentally and financially. Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 3 T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S How my black dog helps me beat the blues This guy grappled with the black dog; heck he coined the phrase. And he did alright for himself. Spoiler alert: It's Winston Churchill Source: news.com.au, by Chris Paine, May 4, 2012 LET me tell you about my two black dogs: Jethro and Oscar. Jethro's an actual dog. Oscar is "the black dog". I'll start with Jethro. He's a cocker spaniel. He's six. His jet-black hair smells funky, he rocks a dome-shaped head, and every so often he eats poo. Like actual poo. More importantly, he's amazing. A happy, sweet, cuddle-bomb. He really is a man's best friend, my dad's, but I'd like to think I'm a close second. And he helps me beat the blues - but more on that later. Oscar is the other black dog. He's like an imaginary best friend, except that to me he's neither imaginary or a friend. I've known him for 12 years and, put simply, he's an @#*%^$*!. He follows me around. Everywhere. He makes me cry. He makes me doubt everything about everything. And he's turned me against the one person I need most: myself. Let's put it this way - he's no Jethro. If you pitted the two of them in a death match in the Cage of Awesome, J-ro would deliver victory with a fly-kick to Oscar's pants. I don't care that Oscar’s been de-sexed, or that he doesn't wear pants or that he’s only a metaphorical dog - that's how it's going to go down. Life with Jethro is simple, fun and carefree. Jethro is just Jethro. But Oscar isn't like that. Oscar isn't Oscar, Oscar is OCD. Not the glamorous As-Good As-It-Gets kind where you skip over cracks in a flight of whimsy and flirt with Helen Hunt. No, Oscar is the boring, in-your-head-27-hours-out-of-24 kind of OCD. I’m not saying one is better or worse than the other - but Howard Hughes wasn’t crazy and eccentric. He just had a disease no-one, least of all himself, understood: OCD. 4 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S I didn’t ask Oscar to come when I moved to Sydney last year, Time for that stroll. I think I can trust Oscar to behave himself. he just invited himself. Like I said: @#*%^$*!. Jethro’s still in Brisbane but he’s taught me many things. The most important? To get outside of my head and see life, in the moment, for what it is. And I have to say, it's not half bad. When I look at his oddly-formed face and his impossible smile, I'm taken away from Oscar and into that moment where I can just chase my own tail. Because it's my tail and I'll chase it if I damn well please. And at times like that, I'm reminded of the simple things we can all do to make our lives a little bit better. 'Everyone's different, but here are five things that help me deliver a Jethro-esque fly-kick to Oscar's pants between sunrise and sunset. And beyond, if there's a Scrubs marathon on Foxtel. 1. Don't go it alone. It can be hard but you need to tell someone you're suffering. The best day of my life was the day I bawled my way towards a diagnosis, drove home, and gave Jethro the longest hug of all time. Tell your Mum, tell your best friend, tell your GP. And please, if you're in crisis and feeling overwhelmed, speak to Lifeline. 2. Know your enemy. If the first step is getting help then the second is helping yourself. The only way I'm going to keep Oscar in the doghouse is by learning from the best. It's a continual process, so skill up. Google is your friend. So is your Kindle. Whatever it takes, get reading. Ask questions. Get involved. 3. Smile - inside and out. This isn't about putting on a mask. Sometimes you're just going to have a bad day. That's fine. Laughter might be the best medicine, it might not. But if I can catch up with friends for a cheap Saturday lunch or sit down to Q&A Family Guy after work, I'm going to be in good spirits. As for smiling inside? Meditate. It's not just for Buddhists and hipsters. It clears your mind, improves concentration and boosts energy. It's legit. Google 'Inner Smile Meditation' and it should explain why the tall ranga on the Bondi Junction service is sitting bolt upright with his eyes closed, wearing a smug grin. People with bipolar disorder may wait 13 years for diagnosis Survey shows many sufferers treated for other conditions, including depression, and are 20 times more likely to take their own lives Source: guardian.co.uk, by Denis Campbell, 27 June 2012 People with bipolar disorder wait for an average of 13.2 years before they are diagnosed, and often spend years receiving 4. Log off. I live my life online and it not only keeps me treatment for other conditions, a survey of sufferers has connected - it pays my bills. But if you're too wired in you found. will burn out. Try this: I have a "no devices" rule during meal times and episodes of Breaking Bad, much to the chagrin of Bipolar campaigners and psychiatrists say the delays are my multi-tasking girlfriend. If you can't switch off you'll miss "staggering" and are worrying because those with the illness out on what's happening around you. Take 30 minutes a day are 20 times more likely than the general population to take to get outside - of your house and your head. That Nyan Cat's their own lives. not going anywhere. In a survey of 706 people with bipolar, it emerged that the 5. Sweat it out. If I have to peel myself off the gym floor and average wait until someone was correctly diagnosed was 13.2 carry my pasty, pre-pubescent excuse for a torso home and years. While 15% of participants did get diagnosed promptly, collapse in a sweaty, broken heap, I call that a good start to the other 85% experienced difficulties in having their illness the day. Exercise is a profound anti-depressant. It gives you identified. energy, purpose, and even a little swagger. Maybe too much, to the point where you're busted checking yourself out in the Most of those were wrongly told they had depression. Among the 85% whose diagnosis was delayed, 71% said that their elevator after lunch. Awkward. symptoms had become worse as a result of receiving Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 5 T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S inappropriate treatment, such as antidepressants or sleeping prescribing for the symptoms on the day of the appointment", pills. she added. "A delay of this length has a significant impact for individuals and families, with sometimes devastating consequences, as bipolar has the highest rate of suicide of any psychiatric illness," said Suzanne Hudson, chief executive of Bipolar UK. It conducted the survey along with the Royal College of Norma Jean Wilkes, of Winston-Salem, has lived for decades Psychiatrists and Bipolar Scotland in order to highlight the with bipolar disorder. often lengthy delays in diagnosing the condition, to coincide Source: Winston Salem Journal, by Anna Keller, July 16, 2012 with Wednesday's first National Bipolar Awareness Day. For most, finding a group of people to identify with is a Bipolar disorder is one of the most common causes of lost comforting feeling. For Norma Jean Wilkes, it's vital to years of life and health in those aged 15 to 44, ahead of war, keeping her stable. Over the past couple of decades, the 55violence and schizophrenia, according to the World Health year-old Winston-Salem resident has suffered from bipolar Organisation. Research suggests that between 1% and 2% of disorder, swinging from animated, manic highs to paralyzing, the population become bipolar at some point. As many as 1 in depressing lows. 20 people is on the bipolar spectrum, Bipolar UK says. When in the throes of bipolar disorder, Wilkes experienced Doctors and patients are both to blame, Hudson added. "It euphoric mania that made her feel especially productive and could be GPs or psychiatrists that fail to diagnose when they creative, and those were times she enjoyed, though family can. But a lot of the time it's patients themselves not telling members felt frustrated by her hyper-energetic behavior. the doctor their full symptoms. If we're in a hypomanic state, coming out of a stable phase and starting to get high, we The depressions, however, left Wilkes feeling lethargic and rarely present to a GP then, which makes it more difficult," often suicidal. These lows were what eventually led Wilkes to seek help. she added. Bipolar sufferer tells of long struggle Alison Cairns, chief executive of Bipolar Scotland, said people Only in the past 4½ years has Wilkes' disease been stable, with the condition are more likely to visit a GP when they are thanks to the fact that she has finally discovered the right depressed and not reveal the full extent of their mood swings. combination of medications and is relying heavily on both professional help and the support of others dealing with the Participants usually began to experience their first symptoms disease. of bipolar disorder aged 23, while half said they first noticed Knowing firsthand how debilitating this disorder can be, signs of it when they were between 11 and 20. Wilkes now serves as a peer specialist, working with people Dr Danny Smith, a consultant psychiatrist, said that "getting who have less experience dealing with the effects of being the diagnosis right in the early stages of bipolar disorder can bipolar. be very challenging". Many survey participants felt that GPs and other medical professionals needed more help in She says being able to act as a source of support for newly diagnosed individuals has been satisfying, particularly identifying it correctly, he added. because she didn't have access to a mentorship relationship A separate survey of 460 mental-health professionals carried when she was at a similar point. out by the three organisations found that while 89% said they screened those with symptoms of depression for any history "It's a way to connect people dealing with the same issue or of mania as well, 43% never talked to a relative or carer to problem, and it's being there for someone who's still in a struggling place with their bipolar disorder," she said. "I never build up a full picture of the person's history. had a peer specialist work with me, because I didn't know One sufferer said: "I wasn't aware of bipolar until the age of about them when I could have used the support." 47, when a GP who was treating me for depression and a severe episode started to reconstruct a history of behaviour These days, her disease is more stable and she doesn't reach going back to my teens." Another said: "I hid my symptoms the extreme highs and lows anymore. However, Wilkes is from my GP. I never revealed the true extent of my illness, quick to share, just because her bipolar disorder is now under albeit I did not know what I was doing was necessarily part control doesn't mean it's not still affecting her life daily. She of being ill. My partner intervened and explained things to isn't able to work, concerned that the stress of a job might trigger an extreme mood swing. She is burdened with an my GP, which resulted in an assessment referral." extreme sense of anxiety. And, with her manic highs no longer One patient's partner said a doctor had wrongly taken her present, Wilkes often struggles with a lack of energy and partner's bipolar disorder to be a depressive disorder because creativity — as well as a worry that the disorder will rehe only visited his doctor when he felt suicidal. "If the doctor emerge. had asked about any periods of high moods, agitation, irritability and sleeping and eating habits, he would have had "There's the fear that the medication will stop working at a clearer picture of my partner's overall moods rather than some point, and that I'll go down that path again," she said. 6 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S "You do tend to get acclimated to medication to the point that Environment, like biology, often includes nutrition and other it won't work for you anymore, so I hope that by then there external occurrences. Thus, understanding bipolar disorder will be new drugs I can try." and gluten examines biological and environmental aspects of the disorder. And "that path" is a place Wilkes hopes to never travel again. Before she found medication that worked for her (she tried WHAT IS BIPOLAR I DISORDER? about 30 medications before finding a successful combination), her bipolar disorder was controlling her life The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-IV-TR, describes bipolar I disorder as the presence of and affecting those around her in a significant way. at least one manic or hypomanic episode. A manic episode Sharon Azar, a friend of Wilkes' since the women were consists of periods of grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, adolescents, became a rock for Wilkes during these years. She pressured speech, racing thoughts, excessive distractibility, checked in on Wilkes frequently — in person, when the increased spending or promiscuous behavior, and agitation. women both lived in Albuquerque, and then via phone calls A true manic episode will have at least four of these once Azar moved to Montana and Wilkes had moved to components. Hypomania is defined as, literally, "little mania," North Carolina. and consists of the above behaviors but to a less extreme degree. Bipolar disorder may also include periods of "The second Norma picked up the phone and said hello, I depression, but this is not a requirement for the disorder. could tell where she was and what phase of the cycle she was in," Azar recalled. "As time went on, it was the depression THE ROLE OF PROTEINS IN MENTAL ILLNESS that was really, really bad. I knew this was a serious disease, but for Norma I think there was a level of denial. After she'd Before exploring gluten intolerance and bipolar disorder, it is come out of the depression, she'd convince herself that it important to understand what gluten is and how proteins may play a role in mental illness. Gluten is defined as the hadn't been as bad as it actually had been." storage protein found in such grains as wheat, barley and rye. Azar began tracking her friend's shifting moods on her Researchers are interested in how proteins in general affect calendar, detecting a rhythm to the length of both the manic mental illness. In 2010, doctors in Australia at the Mental and the depressed stages. She also started educating herself Health Research Institute in Victoria looked at how proteins on the disease to best know how to communicate with Wilkes, are related to mental illness and published their findings in particularly when she was experiencing severe depression. the "Journal of Psychiatry Research." In exploring the way proteins interact at the cellular level in individuals with "I learned about her inner strength by watching her struggle schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, they found that there are with bipolar disorder," Azar said. "I think she has an amazing alterations in presynaptic proteins that may lead to alterations will to live. She's been a wonderful teacher to me about how in synaptic activity in both schizophrenia and bipolar to love. I learned how to love her when the real Norma wasn't disorder. Synaptic activity refers to the ways in which cells there." send messages throughout the brain and central nervous Wilkes, a former therapist focusing on eating disorders, has system. Given this data, the idea that gluten may play a role become involved in public speaking engagements to spread in bipolar disorder becomes viable. the word about what living with bipolar disorder is like. Her talks have garnered positive feedback from attendees, particularly family members of people with bipolar disease who say hearing Wilkes' story helped them comprehend their loved one's experience better. BIPOLAR AND GLUTEN The role of gluten intolerance has been researched in schizophrenia to some extent, but not as much in bipolar disorder. In 2011, scientists in Baltimore investigated gluten intolerance in individuals with bipolar disorder by comparing "It's really eye opening for people who haven't had the the level of sensitivity to people who do not have any history disease themselves, and they say they feel they understand it of mental illness. The findings they published in a medical more after hearing me speak," she said. "People can gain some journal dedicated to bipolar disorder were that individuals hope from the fact that I was able to find some stability." with bipolar disorder have increased levels of IgG antibodies to gliadin, which is indicative of gluten intolerance. However, the results were not significant enough to be conclusive and the authors state that more research is needed. GLUTEN INTOLERANCE AND BIPOLAR Source: livestrong.com. May 27, 2011 | By Nicolle Napier Ionascu CHILDREN WITH GLUTEN SENSITIVITY The relationship between mental illness and nutrition is complex and not well understood. Mental disorders involve biological, psychological and environmental factors. Biological aspects include genetics, medical issues and nutrition. Psychological issues are related to childhood conflicts, developmental stages and internal motivations. Children with bipolar disorder present unique challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Understanding nutritional issues in these pediatric patients may help with long-term care. Scientists at the Institute of Neurological Sciences in Catania, Italy studied a group of 835 children who tested positive for gluten sensitivity and published their findings in Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 7 T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L T I E S T O T H E S T A R S What Are Support Groups? Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. — Quisque Massa Worldwide, self-help groups are becoming increasingly Rarely are support group members surprised by what they popular. They are effective in providing mutual support and hear. You may hear other member’s relate experiences such are good resources for discovering information. as how they flew into a road rage, or went on a crazy shopping spree or had a relationship breakdown. Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange If only our illness were as simple as popping pills in our information. Support groups don’t work to a manual. They mouth! We know it’s not that simple, so we have to work on are not a pity party, nor are they treatment or therapy. winning back our lives in as many ways as we can. Attending Support groups can help us in our journey back to a fully a support group can be one of these ways. Fortunately, in the functional life. Meetings can be quite liberating, and no one course of living with the illness, many members have picked will say “You’re crazy” or “I’m going to increase your up a range of coping skills and tips that they are very happy Seroquel.” to share with the group. If only our illness were as simple as popping pills in our mouth! It’s often hard for people with bipolar disorder to get out that door to attend a support group meeting and join a group of strangers for the first time. But you won’t know until you’ve taken that difficult and courageous first step! At a support group meeting you will hear about experiences of others who are struggling with denial, medication, side effects and how they are generally coping with bipolar. Often this may be the first time someone has had to discuss their illness honestly amongst people who actually understand. 8 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L a 2008 issue of the "Journal of Pediatrics." They examined the group for neurological and psychological disorders and found that the prevalence of neurological and psychological illness in these children was low but slightly higher than that in the control group. As with adults, it seems that there may be some correlation between bipolar disorder and gluten intolerance, but more research is needed. Allergic reactions could worsen mental illnesses Source: dailyrx.com, June 27, 2012 T I E S T O T H E S T A R S 21st Century science is seeking to measure the precise ways that emotional experience, brain states, hormonal signaling, and immune system reactions are interrelated. Dr. Partam Manalai and colleagues set out to investigate how much of an effect that the high pollen season could have on bipolar depression. They examined 100 subjects experiencing either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder to learn how exposure to pollen might change emotional state. The team's data suggests that "the exacerbation of allergic symptoms correlated significantly with a worsening in the depression scores". Do allergic reactions affect bipolar depression? Could an immune reaction to pollen compromise one's mental health? Manalai and colleagues write that "the findings of the current A team of curious researchers has set out to find if there is a study suggest that worsening of depression in sensitized connection. individuals during peak pollen seasons is not related only to severity of physical symptoms in allergic reaction, and thus is There are a fair number of disorders and conditions unlikely to be a mere reaction to a physical illness". associated with depression already: obesity, alcoholism, stress, anxiety, diabetes, schizoaffective disorders and the like. While the study focused on the response of people with bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder to the high Pollen is not nearly so often suggested as a contributing pollen season, it is possible that people not suffering from element or risk factor. Many people hardly notice pollen at all. these particular conditions who are exposed to high pollen Consult with a ear-nose-throat specialist if your allergies act load could also experience more depression as well. up. These data are suggestive of a link between mood disorders Pollen is of course well known as sometimes interfering with and the allergic immune response. While the actual respiration. The itchiness and swelling and other symptoms mechanism by which breathing in pollen might make people of allergies should be understood as the body's way of coping coping with bipolar depression more depressed is not currently known, the emotional reactions to allergies may with an influx of foreign bodies in the lungs. turn out to be as important as the physical symptoms. The immune system becomes activated and produces chemical signaling, manifesting as symptoms such as sniffles While much remains to be learned, allergy sufferers would be well advised to monitor how their emotional states may vary and watery eyes to a feeling of reduced mental energy. relative to pollen-triggered immune reactions. While such reactions may be unpleasant, these symptoms represent the body's immune system sending waves of special molecules to recognize the invader as not part of the body, and to envelop it using different systems. In other words, the symptoms can be thought of as a sign of a healthy immune Source; livingstrong.com, By Erin Beck, September 2, 2010 response, though this can get out of hand and become dangerous. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder found in about 2.6 percent of the U.S. population, according to the National Why would respiratory and immune reactions be associated Institute of Mental Health. In most cases, bipolar disorder can with bipolar depression? be managed with medication and/or counseling. Exercise is To understand how feelings of sadness and low energy might another recommended strategy for treating many mood be related to breathing in airborne plant particles, it is worth disorders. EXERCISE & BIPOLAR MOOD DISORDER knowing how modern views of health have evolved. SYMPTOMS Scientists are still teasing out many of the fascinating details about the interactions of the immune system, the hormone and endocrine signaling molecules of the body, and the brain. An ambitious label for these would be "psycho-neuroimmunology", but the key point to remember is that mood and emotion and psychological state are now believed by many scientists and physicians to affect and be affected by immune system reactions, such as allergies. Bipolar disorder, or manic-depressive disorder, is characterized by mood changes ranging from depression to mania. Depressive symptoms can include loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in sleep and eating patterns and lack of energy. Mania symptoms include a sense of euphoria, heightened senses and increased energy. Bipolar disorder has been divided into two types. People with Bipolar I have at least one manic episode. People with Bipolar II experience hypomania rather than mania. In hypomania, Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 10 Phone: 9388 9869 Please contact the office for further details. Must book as limited places available. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L manic symptoms are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in normal functioning and do not create a need for hospitalization. T I E S T O T H E S T A R S Act-Belong-Commit now an app on iPhone IMPACT Exercise can help improve mood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Exercise can help motivate and energize you when you're tired, and calm you when you're tense or stressed. Exercise releases neurotransmitters and endorphins, brain chemicals that improve depression symptoms. It also reduces immune system chemicals that can worsen depression. Physical activity also increases body temperature, which may have relaxing effects. But most research on mood and exercise has not looked at the specific effects of exercise on bipolar depression and mania. RESEARCH A 2008 study published in the "International Journal of Social Psychiatry" followed a group of people with severe mental illnesses, such as bipolar or schizophrenia, and found that those with more physical activity experienced more positive mood.A 2007 study published by in the "Journal of Affective Disorders" followed a group of patients with bipolar disorder at a psychiatric unit and found that those who voluntarily participated in a walking program showed improved symptoms. Neither study proved that exercise caused improved symptoms. People who already display improved symptoms may exercise more. However, the studies did show The Act Belong Commit App provides general information that future studies should further investigate the role of and guidance on how people can stay mentally healthy in exercise in treatment of bipolar disorder. their everyday lives. MOOD CHARTS Keeping a mood chart is a helpful way for those with bipolar disorder to recognize mood patterns. People who keep mood charts monitor symptoms, sleep, medications, meals, stressful situations and exercise and try to determine what lifestyle changes contribute to symptoms. If you're trying to determine if exercise helps you manage bipolar symptoms, talk with your health care provider about keeping a mood chart. It provides background information on the campaign and includes interactive features that encourage the user to: Act – be mentally, physically and socially active Belong - to groups and clubs, keep up friendships and social networks Commit – to things that bring meaning and purpose to life. Support a good cause, volunteer to help others. RECOMMENDATIONS Users can take a self-assessment to rate their Act-BelongThe Mayo Clinic recommends that bipolar disorder sufferers Commit activity levels. get regular exercise to help control symptoms. Anecdotal For residents of Western Australia, the app provides the reports also suggest that it is beneficial. Those with bipolar Department of Sport & Recreation’s ‘Find a Club’ tool to find disorder should not attempt to use exercise as a sole form of local groups and clubs in their area to join. treatment, however. Exercise should be used in conjunction with other treatments, including medication and It also provides a refined search tool, based on the Actpsychological counseling, to effectively manage symptoms of Belong-Commit website, for users to find local events and activities to get involved in. bipolar disorder. Get started and be more mentally healthy today! To download the app, search for ‘Act Belong Commit’ in the iTunes App Store, or click on the link on the Act-BelongCommit website http://www.actbelongcommit.org.au/ 12 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L Vanderbilt professor depicts son's bipolar disorder Charlotte Pierce-Baker, a Vanderbilt University professor, has written a book about her family's struggles with her son's bipolar disorder. 'It is a lifelong disorder,' she says. 'It's cunning, and it reshapes your brain. It tells your brain what you must do.' Source: The Tennessean, by Terrance Dean, June 22, 2012 T I E S T O T H E S T A R S got in touch with my father, and he called us and left a message. When we got back I called my father and he informed me that something was wrong with Mark. When my son called back later that evening he said, “Mom, they’re watching me.” I said, “What do you mean?” And he said, “They’re all around and they’re watching me.” My husband and I said, well, maybe he’s been working too hard. But, in my gut, I knew something weird was going on. After your son was diagnosed as bipolar, were you or your son in denial? Q&A When I discovered that my son had a mental disorder, I said, Charlotte Pierce-Baker is a mother with a mission. She’s an “This can’t be.” I thought he was having a bad high because I advocate, an activist and an award-winning Vanderbilt knew he smoked marijuana. But, truth is, I think all of us University professor of women’s and gender studies and were in denial. Eventually I had to realize Mark’s illness was a reality, and it was on my plate. I had to tell my parents and English. She’s also an author. others in our family. Her newest book, This Fragile Life: A Mother’s Story of a Bipolar Son, is a moving and ultimately hopeful account of a What people should know is that bipolar disorder consumers family’s struggle to understand and accept their son’s bipolar are probably apt not to take their medications. They think that once they take them and they feel better, then it’s OK to stop disorder. taking them, or they drift off the medicine. There is no cure The Green Hills mother is stepping out of the shadows and for bipolar, and Mark was in denial about it because he felt giving voice to an oftentimes shielded conversation on mental that he could eventually kick it. But it is a lifelong disorder. health. Pierce-Baker’s world turned upside down one night It’s cunning, and it reshapes your brain. It tells your brain when her then 25-year-old son’s bipolar disorder truly began what you must do. to manifest itself. At the time, Mark was pursuing a Mental health is something rarely discussed within the postgraduate degree in film and living in California. African-American community. Do you think or feel that a Nothing prepared her for Mark’s unhinged emotional lot of people are not diagnosed and are being untreated? outbursts, the uncertain highs and the violent lows, calls from jail, pleas for money, drug relapses and continuous disputes I think in general people are being untreated and underabout how to live and not live. She documented the journey treated because we are not comfortable enough talking about it. Every now and then you may see a front-page article about in what ultimately became a memoir to help others. someone in the military dealing with it, and sometimes they Why did you decide to write this book? are about women with postpartum depression, but often the stories are titillating. There are people walking around with It didn’t start out as a book. It started out as note taking. Our mental illnesses who have jobs, and with families, and they son became very ill. We were blindsided by the illness. I was don’t say anything because of the stigma and being labeled. taking notes to understand what was going on and what was happening. We never heard of bipolar disorder. In the process It would be great if we could start groups within our of taking notes, we learned more and more, and also about communities, and say, “Yes, my son, uncle, brother, sister or the medicines to treat bipolar. I can’t pinpoint as to when I someone (has it)” without it being a stigma. We have to talk began writing a manuscript. I do remember saying that I have about what’s in our closet, the secrets and the things we’ve a series of stories here. been hiding. I think we will get a lot of support all around. We were alone in 1996 because we were so absorbed with I knew I was writing it for my son, Mark, so he would have a Mark on how to keep him alive, keep ourselves alive and our chronicle of what had happened to him, and so he would marriage. It would have made a difference if we had a know the good parts of himself. Bipolar can be very ugly. I community that was supportive. wanted people to see the sweet of him. In the African-American community we have been so beaten When did you know that something was not right, and that up that we don’t want people knowing the dirty laundry. he needed to see a therapist? And, if you are marginalized because of your color, then what We didn’t know Mark was ill. He had not lived at home since happens when you add mental illness? he was 18 years old. He went to college, and then he got a full-ride fellowship for postgraduate work to study film. He had been accepted to the University of Southern California. It was in California when he hit rock bottom. He was 25 years old. He called us, but we were out to dinner. He eventually Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 13 T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L Maintaining or Rebuilding Your Relationship Source: Melbourne Bipolar Support Group Newsletter, June 2012 T I E S T O T H E S T A R S Don Ritchie, Angel of The Gap who helped save 500 people from suicide - dies at 85 Bipolar disorder can challenge relationships and family life Source: news.com.au By Miles Godfrey May 14, 2012 and sometimes it takes a bit of time, patience and effort to • Don Ritchie helped save 500 souls from suicide maintain or rebuild them. • Died peacefully at home, aged 85 Once the person is not so ill, you may be able to: • MP: "One of our greatest Australians. RIP." • Share enjoyable experiences that have nothing to do with bipolar disorder. THE "Angel of The Gap", Sydney's Don Ritchie, has died aged 85. • Encourage giving and taking in your relationship. For example, providing the person is not severely ill ask them to help out at times and accept their support when it is offered. Relationships that involve even a little giving as well as taking can be less stressful and more rewarding for both people. Mr Ritchie spent 50 years coaxing desperate people back from The Gap, the notorious cliff at Watsons Bay where hundreds have died or thought about taking their lives. He helped save 500 despairing souls - usually with little more than compassion, a warm smile and a hot cuppa. "Those who knew him knew he was a very strong person and • Use good communication skills to help sort out difficulties a very capable person," Mr Ritchie's daughter Sue said today. in your bipolar relationship or in the family. • When trying to sort out difficult problems in bipolar relationships or in the family it can be useful to consult a health professional who knows a lot about bipolar disorder and counseling for relationships. Federal MP Malcolm Turnbull, whose electorate includes The Gap, added: "A true hero, one of our greatest Australians. RIP." Born in Vaucluse in 1926, Mr Ritchie died peacefully at home on Old South Head Road, Watsons Bay yesterday. • If you have a bipolar spouse or partner and they have lost interest in sex due to bipolar depression, offer The former navy seaman turned life insurance salesman was companionship and slowly start to rebuild an intimate never one to shout about his exploits. relationship once the depression has subsided. He helped because he could. Family members sometimes respond very differently to learning that there is bipolar in the family. Some people take Ms Ritchie said: "It was just something that he saw and that more time to accept that their loved one has bipolar and may he had to do something about." deny the illness or become angry. When possible it may help New South Wales Mental Health Minister Kevin Humphries to focus less on the illness and more on everyday family life recalled when Mr Ritchie was named a Local Hero in the 2011 and enjoying activities together. Australian of the Year Awards. When possible, encourage family members to relate to the "Upon accepting the award Mr Ritchie urged people to never person with bipolar in ways that emphasize what they have be afraid to speak to those most in need," he said. in common (e.g. interests or hobbies) and their respective roles ( e.g. parent and child, sister and brother). However, try "Always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping not to make bipolar disorder a taboo topic in the family. hand, a listening ear and a kind word." Informing family members about the illness, what different mood states look like, ways to deal with them and help out Mr Ritchie's family asked for donations to be made to the Black Dog Institute or to Lifeline. may be useful. 14 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. T H R O U G H D I F F I C U L Bipolar Depression by John McManamy Source: Melbourne Bipolar Support Group Newsletter, May 2012 "Bipolar depression has long been overlooked, but is more pervasive and disabling than mania." T I E S T O T H E S T A R S Notwithstanding these sad facts of life, Robert Post MD, head of the Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network, pointed out in a paper at the 2001 APA annual meeting that "[Bipolar depression] has received relatively little systemic study." The DSM-IV fails to distinguish between unipolar and bipolar depression, though there may be subtle but critical differences. Alan Swann MD of the University of Texas, Houston at the 2000 APA annual meeting observed that those with bipolar depression are more likely to manifest psychomotor retardation and have atypical features (such as excessive eating and sleeping) than patients with unipolar depression. According to Dr Swann, bipolar depressions are characterized by greater episode frequency, earlier onset, greater coAs Michael Thase MD of the University of Pittsburgh occurring substance abuse, and a more equal gender ratio. observed at the 2002 American Psychiatric Association annual meeting: "Although manic episodes are often more the Philip Mitchell MD of the University of New South Wales at emergent and notorious phase of bipolar affective disorder, the 2003 Fifth International Conference on Bipolar Disorder depressive episodes last longer, are typically harder to treat, cited a 2000 Australian study of 83 bipolar depressed and 904 unipolar depressed patients that found bipolar patients were and result in the high ultimate risk of suicide." more likely to be melancholic (69 vs 37 percent), and were Bipolar Depression - A Major Concern A 2003 significantly more likely to demonstrate psychomotor GlaxoSmithKline-funded study carried out by Robert disturbance and guilt. Hirschfeld MD of the University of Texas in Galveston found that those with bipolar disorder fared significantly worse in A 2001 study by Dr Mitchell of 270 depressed patients found their depressions than those with unipolar depression. those with bipolar were less tearful than those with unipolar According to the study, individuals with bipolar depression depression, but felt more worthless, exhibited greater loss of "were more likely to report that they did their work poorly, pleasure, and experienced more subjective restlessness, felt ashamed of their work, had arguments outside the home, leaden paralysis, and hypersomnia than their unipolar felt upset, and never found their work interesting compared counterparts. Significantly, in the words of Dr Swann, "the differing biological properties of unipolar and bipolar to those with unipolar depression. depression suggest that treatments that were originally The bipolar depression group also reported significantly more intended for unipolar depression may not be optimal for disruption in work, social and family functioning, and bipolar depression." These distinctions tend to be lost on the significantly more symptom days versus those with unipolar average clinician. depression." According to a Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network survey of 258 of its bipolar patients, this population A survey by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of was depressed three times more than they were manic, 400 of its members found that of those who reported having bipolar disorder, 60 percent disclosed that their initial despite being treated with an average of 4.1 medications. diagnosis was major depression. From a patient's perspective, A 2002 NIMH study found that bipolar I patients were the implications are enormous. According to a study by S depressed 32 percent of weeks over a 12.8 year period as Nassir Ghaemi MD of Harvard et al appearing in the October opposed to being manic or hypomanic for nine percent of 2000 Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, it took bipolar I patients weeks and mixed or cycling for six percent of weeks. For nearly six years and bipolar II patients 11.6 years from first bipolar II patients, the same study found depression present contact with the mental health system to achieve a correct in 50 percent of weeks over 13.4 years as opposed to one diagnosis. percent of weeks for mania or hypomania and 12 percent of Enter Homer Simpson. Close-up to the hand smacking the weeks for mixed or cycling. forehead a second time. The look on his face says it all. How The same set of studies also found that dysthymia (minor could I have been so stupid? Bipolar depression. Even the depression) and subsyndromal (not full-blown) depression experts can miss the obvious. dominated, with bipolar II patients more likely to have major depression and a more chronic course. Meanwhile, early data from STEP-BD's first 500 patients has found 80 percent of relapses were into depression. For bipolar II, Hagop Akiskal MD of the University of California, San Diego found this population spent an incredible 37 days for every one day hypomanic. Bipolar depression symptoms. Imagine for a second the psychiatric profession personified as Homer Simpson, with the trademark gesture of the hand smacking the forehead. The collective "Doh!" you hear is the seemingly overnight realization that depression rather than mania is the dominant partner in manic-depressive illness (bipolar disorder). Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. 15 Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc We meet at: Online http://www.evenkeel.org.au Forum: http://forums.evenkeel.org.au/ Avail 24hrs 7days Even Keel 2012 Membership Form Amount: Option Subiaco June O’Connor Centre 2 Nicholson Rd, Subiaco WA 6008 Support Group, 10.30am to 11.30am every Friday Contact: 9388 9869 Office Open Monday & Friday 9.30-3.30pm Contact: (08) 9388 9869 Perth City Senior Citizens CitiPlace Perth Railway Platform above Platform 9 11.30am to 1pm, last Wednesday of each month Contact: Shirley 9258 3241 O’Connor Busselton Caring Friends Support Group Salvation Army Hall, 94 Kent Street Busselton PO Box 260, Busselton 6280 Every Wednesday 10am-4pm. Individual support 10am-12pm Workshops and Group Meeting 1-3pm Office (Wednesday only): 9751 5866 OR Contact: Bob A/H: 9755 4021 Email: caringfriends@westnet.com.au INPATIENT INFORMATION SESSIONS Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Waged $20.00 Concession $10.00 Corporate $50.00 Make a donation $______ All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible Total: Name Address Ward D20 Cancelled Contact: Lyn 9356 3383 Fremantle Hospital Riverton Alma St Centre, Ward 51 McDonalds High Rd Riverton 6-8pm, 2nd Tues of each month Contact: Lyn 0404 022 902 Royal Perth Hospital Age: Ward 2K Email Yokine Mills Street C287 McDonald Street, Yokine 1-2pm, 3rd Saturday of each month Contact: 9388 9869 Rockingham For Details Contact: Ingrid 0412 522 387 Joondalup 1/20 Mercer Lane, Joondalup 1pm, 3rd Thursday of each month Contact: Freddie 0439 804 061 Midland In RECESS Fremantle Coming Soon! 35+ Method of Payment Receive Newsletter via Graylands Hospital Cheque Post Frankland Centre Cash Email Rockingham General Hospital PaRK Mental Health Service, Elanora Dve Invoice Me (Corporate) Carer or Friend’s Name:____________________________________ We aim to: • provide understanding, awareness and education for people diagnosed with a mental illness, their family/friends/carers, with a focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing • To promote awareness in the community in order to increase understanding and assist with the elimination of stigma • To provide an information centre comprising of literature obtained from national and international sources Mandurah 1pm-3pm, 3rd Wednesday of each month Contact: Glenys 0418 828 387 for location. 18-34 Mobile Bentley Hospital Cannington Masons Landing Marriamup St Cannington 1pm to 3pm, last Saturday of each month Contact: Shirley 9258 3241 Phone Number Membership Includes: • • Quarterly newsletter Access to library resources and borrowing facility Permission to Contact: Yes/No Phone No/Email: _________________________________________ Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Support Association Inc. C/O June O’Connor Centre 2 Nicholson Rd Subiaco WA 6008 Phone: (08) 9388 9869 Fax: (08) 9388 2298 E-mail: office@evenkeel.org.au Website: http://www.evenkeel.org.au