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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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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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Dealing with holiday Grinches like stress, loneliness, and other challenges

December 16th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Dealing with holiday Grinches like stress, loneliness, and other challenges)

“‘Tis the season that provokes difficult emotions. This can be the maddest, saddest, most stressful time of the year. On the streets and in the malls, you can tell the holidays are approaching not only by the music and the decorations, but by the frustration and anxiety in the air.” [Source: Dr. Davidicus Wong, in BurnabyNow]

We speak with Frances Ferguson, a registered clinical counsellor. (more…)

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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My schizophrenic life

October 7th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on My schizophrenic life)

Sandra Yuen MacKay’s book is a true story about her journey of recovery

Sandra Yuen MacKay has written a book about her recovery from what she describes as an invisible disability—schizoaffective disorder—which includes a combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder. The true story about her journey of recovery from mental illness has just been published. My Schizophrenic Life: The Road to Recovery From Mental Illness begins with early memories from childhood and junior high school—and then follows Sandra as, in her own words, the gate slowly closes, separating her from normal existence. (more…)

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