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Psychiatric meds and health problems

February 10th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Psychiatric meds and health problems)

People using psychiatric medications can experience greater physical health problems

Linda Chamberlain knows eight people with mental illness who have recently died and she says that medications and nutritional issues are to blame. “Some of these medications are giving people diabetes,” she recently told the Toronto Star newspaper. Ten years ago Linda was taking seven medications to deal with her own mental illness, was overweight, and had developed diabetes. Linda made changes in her life and she now leads workshops on exercise and healthy living at a community health centre in Toronto. (more…)

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On madness, myths and stereotypes

February 3rd, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on On madness, myths and stereotypes)

Mental illness hardly ever leads to violence, contrary to media distortions and general misunderstanding 

Mental illnesses can take many forms, just as physical illnesses do—and are common—but mental illnesses are still feared and misunderstood by many people. Debate on the tragedy in Tuscon, Arizona last month, for example, has covered the gamut of gun control, partisan politics, drug abuse and mental-health care.

Jared Loughner shot 20 people, killing six, including a nine-year-old girl. His actions provoked discussion about his sanity—and speculation about violence and the mentally ill. One U.S. columnist wrote that “amateur diagnoses…concluded that Loughner was not so much a political extremist as a man suffering from ‘paranoid schizophrenia’” and suggested that the media is too quick to use mental illness as an explanation for violence. (more…)

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Electroshock redux raises alarm

January 27th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Electroshock redux raises alarm)

Anti-psychiatry activists respond to reports that use of ECT therapy is increasing

U.S. regulators are meeting this week, considering whether to “downgrade the risk classification of electroshock devices, reinforcing what many psychiatrists consider a deepening acceptance of electroshock in modern therapy.”  Anti-shock advocates and survivors are speaking at the hearings of the FDA, providing their personal stories and experiences.

The Canadian Psychiatric Association last year issued its first position paper on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) since 1992, saying that ECT “should remain readily available as a treatment option.” (more…)

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Not criminally responsible

November 25th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Not criminally responsible)

Society’s response to those found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder

A number of Canadians have recently been found not criminally responsible for their crimes due to mental disorder. Recent high-profile—and shocking—cases include those of Vince Li in Manitoba, Rostislav Soukonnik in Alberta, Charlene Chambers and Adenir De Oliveira in Ontario, and Kimberly Ruth Noyes in B.C. Each killed while in the grip of mental illness and each was found not criminally responsible due to their mental condition at the time. (more…)

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Over the edge and back

November 25th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Over the edge and back)

How a father became delusional, killed his son, and now fights for awareness of the side effects of medications

“David Carmichael lives with loss, sorrow and stigma like no other. In 2004, he strangled his 11-year-old son, Ian. While severely depressed and taking Paxil, Carmichael became acutely psychotic and delusional—he thought Ian had suffered brain damage because of epileptic seizures and would harm others. Charged with first-degree murder, Carmichael was found not criminally responsible on account of a mental disorder.” [Source: Living with mental illness by Joanne Richard, in the Toronto Sun] (more…)

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‘One in Five’ set to raise awareness

October 14th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on ‘One in Five’ set to raise awareness)

Victoria art exhibition to include Parksville and Nanaimo artists inspired by struggles, recovery

A juried art exhibition called One in Five opens friday October 15th in Victoria. It features works by a diverse group of artists from Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, and elsewhere. With them comes the spirit of their creativity, which will be seen in the form of photography, found object sculpture, painting, drawing and digital media.

The exhibition is called “One in Five” because 1 in 5 Canadians will experience mental health problems in their lifetime. The ten artists in the exhibition have all at some point in their lives experienced mental health issues. The exhibition is considered an opportunity to open up discussion, raise awareness, and help others learn more about mental health. (more…)

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