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Tuesday, August 21, 2012


Madness or Misunderstanding


Setting:

2010, Onoway, Alberta on a three acre property in a ranch style bungalow

Characters:

Liz- 30 year old biologist and mother of 3. Liz is enjoying her last month of maternity leave before she returns to work. Liz has frizzled over processed hair and dark circles under her crystal blue eyes. Liz is a brilliant biologist and works with a team who are on the cusp of a major breakthrough in diabetes research.

Kayleigh- 11month old daughter with beautiful red hair, a bundle of joy.

Ricky- 3 year old son, go go go, non-stop, boys boy with dark hair and green eyes just like his dad.

Chantille- (nickname Little Shue) 6 year old daughter, very inquisitive, curly red hair and a smile to light up a room.

Gene- Scaffoldor Husband, handsome,  hardy and hard working.

The Voice- a voice Liz hears in her head,  menacing and cranky.

Dr. O’- World class psychiatrist. Tall and slim with flowing brown locks, she looks like she could be a model.

Dr. S.-Specialist in repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy. Very astute and gentlemanly.

Dr. J.- Occupational therapist. Athletic and charming.

Dr. B.- World class psychologist who believes that schizophrenia is just a misunderstanding and can be cured. Looks like a skinny Santa with snow white hair and beard.

Janice- Liz best friend, counselor at the local YWCA. Huggable,  chunky with laughing eyes.

Paul- Janice’s husband, scaffoldor who works with Gene in Fort McMurray. Paul has wonderful green laughing eyes and a crocked smile.



ACT 1- The Voice

Scene 1-         7am, Liz is in her daughter’s bedroom, brushing her hair
Chantille:      Mamma, when is Daddy coming home?
Liz:                 oh Shue, he just left 2 days ago, he will be gone another 18 days. Then he’ll be home for 4 days.
Chantille:      Mamma, will Daddy bring me to swimming lessons when he gets home?
Liz:                 Now, Little Shue you know how tired dad is when he comes home from Fort McMurray. We will just have to wait and see how he is feeling.
(Ricky busts into Chantille’s bedroom)
Ricky:             Mamma, can I watch TV? I know there are dinos on today.
Liz:                 Yes, go ahead but only until I finish Chantille’s hair then we have to eat breakfast.
(baby Kayleigh cries in the nursery)
Liz:                 There you go Shue. All done and you look beautiful. (Liz kisses Chantille on the forehead)
(Liz walks into nursery)
Liz:                 There, there sweaty, Mamma is here. (quick diaper change as Liz sings a soft lullabye)
(when Liz enters kitchen with Kayleigh on her hip,  Chantille is eating a bowl of Corn Popps® and you can hear the TV in the background.) 
Liz:                 Ricky, come get your breakfast, and turn off that TV.
Ricky:             (always a flurry of activity, runs into the room) Mamma, can I have Corn Flakes® and Corn Popps® and Cherioes®?
Liz:                 Pick one please and go turn off that TV.
Ricky:             (runs back to livingroom) Ok Mamma, I’ll have oatmeal.
Liz:                 good job, Ricky. Now sit down and eat your peaches and cream.
Chantille:      I have to catch the bus, Mamma.
Liz:                 Your backpack is in your cubby by the door. Love you, have a great day!
Chantille:      (Give Liz a huge hug) Love you too, Mamma. Bye Ricky, bye Kayleigh!
(Liz watches out the window while Chantille walks to the end of the driveway where the bus waits for her.)
Scene 2 -        mid afternoon, Liz is sitting at the table with her budget book
 (Liz looks up from her cheque book her eyes dart around the room, looking for something)
Liz:                 (mumbles to herself) you are imagining things again.
The Voice:     What do you think you are doing? Are you stupid or what? You can’t do that![1]
Liz:                 (shaking her head) stop that.
The Voice:     Where is Ricky, he is being a bad boy, you have to punish him.
Liz:                 No, I won’t do that, he is just playing with his toys.
The Voice:     Kayleigh, she is taking you away from your life’s work, she is the reason you can’t do your research.
Liz:                 stop it, I won’t listen to you.
The Voice:     Just put the pillow over her head, then you can go back to work.
Liz:                 (screams) I could never hurt my baby. I won’t do it! Leave me alone!
Ricky:             (runs into kitchen) Mamma who’s here? Who are you yelling at?
Liz:                 (grabs Ricky and hugs him really hard) It’s ok Baby everything is ok.
Ricky:             Mamma, your squishing me.
Liz:                 You go watch some TV, Baby. Mamma has to get back to her budget.
[strange noises can be heard, squeals of terror]
(Liz looks into livingroom and Ricky sits quietly in front of TV.)
Liz:                 Can’t he hear that?
The Voice:     He really is a stupid  boy you’d be better off without him.
 ( the bus pull up out front)
Liz:                 (to herself) pull it together, Shue is home.
Scene 3-         Liz is on the phone with Janice
Liz:                 Something is wrong.
Janice:                        What is it?
Liz:                 I feel funny.
Janice:                        Funny how?
Liz:                 I hear things.
Janice:            Do you need to have your ears checked?
Liz:                 No, I hear bad things. I hear a voice telling me to hurt the kids.
Janice:                        Have you told Gene?
Liz:                 No, He wouldn’t understand. He’ll think I’m crazy!
Janice:                        I am coming right over.
(Janice arrives 20 minutes later, having driven in from Edmonton.)
Liz:                 (gives her friend a hug) I just don’t know what to do.
Janice:                        I am here, I can help.
Liz:                 I appreciate that, I remember my grandfather telling me about the voices he heard but I thought he was kidding.
Janice:                        So you think there might be a family history?[2]
Liz:                 It could be, Mom just always said her father was a genius and very eccentric.
Janice:                        OK, I am going to take the kids and you are going to check yourself in at the GlenRose.
Liz:                 But what will people say?[3]
Janice:            Don’t worry about that, you just have to get better.
Act 2- The GlenRose
Scene 1-         Janice talks to her husband
Janice:                        Paul, I have Liz’ kids, you have to tell Gene to come home right away.
Paul:               Why do you have the kids, is something wrong?
Janice:                        Liz is at the GlenRose. She said she hears voices.
Paul:               That’s why I love you, always helping out.
Janice:            Go tell Gene to come home.
Scene 2-         Paul tells Gene
Paul:               Gene, something in wrong with Liz. She is at the GlenRose. Janice has the kids, they are fine.
Gene:              Shoot, what am I supposed to do, I have to work. We have 2 car payments, two mortgages and bills to pay. She is in the hospital that is the best place for her. As long as the kids are safe and Janice doesn’t mind taking care of them, I have to stay up here at least for 8 more days and finish a set so I have enough money for this month’s bills.
Paul:               OK, but get there as soon as you can. She needs you.
Scene 3-         meeting with Dr. O’
Dr. O’:            Hello Liz, how can I help you today?
Liz:                 I am worried, I hear voices that tell me to harm my children.
Dr.O’:             I will prescribe  Haldol but you will stay in hospital until we can get this under control.
Narrator:        While Liz is in hospital for 6 weeks[4], Gene does some research and he finds a clinic that has a device called “walk in their footsteps”[5] that allows the person to experience what it is like to have schizophrenia by wearing a virtual reality apparatus that simulates the visual and auditory hallucinations experienced by someone with schizophrenia.[6]
Liz:                 Dr. O, I don’t think the Haldol is working for me. I am still hearing voices.
Dr. O’:            We can try rTMS. I have a colleaugue at the hospital who is running a trial. I’ll call and get you in.
Liz:                 What is rTMS?
Dr. O’:            It stands for repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation[7]. It involves noninvasive stimulating of nerve cells in the brain.
Liz:                 Is that like Electro Convulsive Therapy?
Dr. O’:            It is based on similar principles but during the procedure an electric current passes through a figure 8 shaped wire coil which has been placed over the scalp. This current depolarizes the nerve cells resulting in disruption of brain activity.
Liz:                 You want to disrupt my brain, isn’t that dangerous?
Dr. O’:            rTMS focuses on the prefrontal cortex, a very specific part of the brain, the one that seems to be causing the voices that you hear.
Liz:                 I just want the voices gone, I’ll try anything.
Dr. O’:            I’ll book you in with Dr. S for tomorrow.
Scene 4-         Dr. S. Office
Narraotor:      It is 2 weeks later and Liz is sitting across from Dr. S.
Dr. S.:                        You have had ten sessions. How are you doing today,  Liz?
Liz:                 I am feeling good Dr. S. The voices don’t come so often now.
Dr. S.:                        We will continue with the treatment for 3 more weeks and see how you do.
Liz:                 Thank you Dr. S. I think this is going to work.
Narrator:        3 more weeks have gone by, Liz has had 15 more sessions
Liz:                 Dr. S. The voices are gone, I feel like my old self again.
Narrator:        Liz goes home to her family, she has been away from them for almost 3 months. Their reunion is short lived, within 3 weeks the voices return even stronger than before. Gene, now understanding what she must be going through rushes her back to see Dr.O’ at the GlenRose.
Dr. O’:            You have been unresponsive to both meds and rTMS, Liz. I am going to refer you to Dr. J. He is an occupational therapist.
Narrator:        After undergoing 12 months of occupational therapy[8] with Dr. J. Liz is still no better then she was after her first rTMS sessions. Dr. O’ refers her to her last hope, Dr. B, a
world famous psychologist who has a new and interesting way of dealing with the hallucinations.

Act 3- Fixing the Misunderstanding
Scene 1-         Meeting with Dr. B.
Liz:                 Hello Dr.B.
Dr.B.:             I have gone over your case file and it seems you have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia but have been unresponsive to the medication. rTMS seemed to work for a while and occupational therapy was not a success either.
Liz:                 That is correct, can you help me?
Dr. B.:             I can help you. I am going to examine each of your hallucinations and help you to understand them. There is a history and a purpose to everything you see and hear, we just have to explore it. Extreme states of mind are needed for transformation.[9]
Dr. B.:             Just like dreams are nighttime hallucinations, the voices you hear happen during wakefulness. We can analyse the voices the same as a dream.
Dr. B.:             You become schizophrenic based on your history[10] whether it be a history of drug use or abuse.
Liz:                 I don’t use drugs and I have never been abused.
Dr. B.:                        You can come through this, I am confident and I will work with you through your extreme state of mind.[11]
Narrator:        It is important for Dr B. to be comfortable and relaxed as he listens to Liz. He must be open and unafraid. [12]
Dr. B.:            Ok, let’s begin, How old are you?
Liz:                 I just turned 32.
Dr. B.:                        What level of education do you have?
Liz:                 I have my doctorate in biology. My team is on the cusp of a breakthrough in diabetic research.
Dr. B.:                        Can you describe what the Voice tells you?
Liz:                 The Voice says: What do you think you are doing? Are you stupid or what? You can’t do that![13]
Dr B.:             Where have you heard those words before? Has anyone else said those things to you?
Liz:                 Yes, my husband. He has trouble communicating so when he should be discussing things with me and I disagree he calls me stupid. (Liz begins to cry)
Dr. B.:                        It is ok to cry , Liz, your husband’s words really hurt you. 
Narrator :       A few minutes later, once Liz has calmed down, Dr B. asks Liz to describe another event where the Voice spoke to her.
Liz:                 The Voice always tells me to hurt my children. Things like “Where is Ricky, he is being a bad boy, you have to punish him.” Or “Kayleigh, she is taking you away from your life’s work, she is the reason you can’t do your research. Just put the pillow over her head, then you can go back to work.”
Dr. B.:                        Do you love your children?
Liz:                 very much.
Dr. B.:            But you love your work also and you want to get that validation back into your life. There is nothing wrong with that. We will examine all the voices and you will be able to go back to work.
Narrator:        Liz worked with Dr. B. for  6 more months and the voices disappeared. By dealing with the issues at hand the hallucinations become distinct and real and part of normal thought process.[14]  Dealing with hallucinations gives the power of psychotherapy to the patient and the problems becomes the means for the solution. These problems are then building blocks so the patient can learn and grow.[15]
Liz has been free of the voices for 5 years now and she is back doing the research she loves on diabetes.

The End
Playwrite’s note: The therapy’s described in this play are all valid and can be used to help with schizophrenia. Results vary dependant on patient and circumstances

[1]  http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz97sdLKkw
[2] Sadock, B.J., & Sadock, V.A. (2007). Kaplan & sadocks synopsis of psychiatry: behavioural sciences/clinical psychiatry (10th ed.) Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.pp. 470-471
[3] Vogel, David, L. (2007) Avoidance of counseling psychological factors that inhibit seeking help. Journal of Counselling and Development Volume:85. Issue 4. p.410-430
[4] Sadock, B.J., & Sadock, V.A. (2007). Kaplan & sadocks synopsis of psychiatry: behavioural sciences/clinical psychiatry (10th ed.) Philidelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.p. 489

[5] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moP_e-gx5hkfeature=related
[6] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPXkwYM9G-s&feature=related
[7] Fitzgerald, P.B. and Daskalakis, Z.J. (2008) A review of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation use in the treatment of schizophrenia. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Vol 53 no 9. pp. 567-576
[8] Cook, S. and Chambers, E. Coleman, J.H.(2009) Occupational therapy for people with psychotic conditions in community settings: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation. vol. 23 pp.40-52
[9] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1tMrwvbosw Hallucinations & Schizophrenia Extreme States of Mind- Part 1
[10] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqsMSYzzaSk Schizophrenia-Extreme States of Mind- Part 2
[11] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGgxjXq7j6Y&feature=channel Recovery: Schizophrenia& Mental Illness- Psychology
[12] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1tMrwvbosw Hallucinations & Schizophrenia Extreme States of Mind- Part 1

[13]  http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz97sdLKkw
[14] Karon, Bertram. (2007) The use of hallucinations in the treatment of psychotic patients. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 9. Num 3. Springer Publishing Company
[15] Karon, Bertram. (2007) The use of hallucinations in the treatment of psychotic patients. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, vol. 9. Num 3. Springer Publishing Company
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Live with Ophelia- BiPolar Disorder II

The following fictional talk show is loosely based on My Life with BiPolar Disorder. Names and circumstances have been altered to protect the innocent.

**Applause**

Ophelia:          (to audience) Welcome to our show. Today we will be examining a very serious mental health issue, Bipolar Disorder II, with our special guests Stacy and Dr. O’.
                        (To guests) Welcome.

Dr. O’:                        Thank you for having us.

Stacy:              Hello, Ophelia, it is nice to meet you.

Ophelia:          Dr O’ can you tell the audience what bipolar disorder II is?

Dr O’:             Certainly. According to the DSM- IV, bipolar disorder II is the presence of one or more depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic episode. We call it bipolar because it is a disorder of extremes, a sufferer can go from being depressed to being hypomanic.1

Ophelia:          What is hypomania, Dr. O’?

Dr. O’:                        Hypomania is a period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least 4 days but not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning. It also includes at least three of the following symptoms:
                        inflated self esteem
                        decreased need for sleep
                        pressure of speech
                        flight of ideas
                        distractibility
                        psychomotor agitation   2

Ophelia:          Stacy, can you tell us what bipolar disorder is for you?

Stacy:              Well, it is kind of like losing yourself. I didn’t know who I was anymore, I used to be a pretty happy person. Then, when I was in my twenties I began to go through very black periods of time when I just felt hopeless and thought it would be better to just end it all. Then I would seem to focus on something to get out of my mood and I would run with it until I could not run anymore and the darkness would take over yet again.

Ophelia:          How long did this go on?

Stacy:              I quit drinking in April of 1997 and my symptoms appeared almost immediately after that but I was only diagnosed in 1999.

Ophelia:          Dr. O’ is there a correlation between Stacy’s drinking and her bipolar?       

Dr. O’:                        Bizzarri’s study in 2007 showed that there was a high prevalence of those who had bipolar disorder and substance abuse. 96% of patients said that the substances they abused improved their mood.  Symptoms such as depression and racing thoughts are said to lessen with the substance use.3 Perhaps while Stacy had a drinking problem, this addiction to alcohol masked her bipolar symptoms and they became apparent only after she quit drinking.

Ophelia:          Stacy can you explain what happened to you prior to your diagnosis of Bipolar.

Stacy:              I had moved back home after completing my Psychology degree at Bishop’s University in 1995, I was working as a temporary supply teacher at my old elementary school and I was also supply teaching at two other local schools. If that was not enough to keep me busy, I took on teaching English as a Second language to the guards at the federal penitentiary in the evenings.

Ophelia:          You must have been exhausted.

Stacy:              You would think that but actually, I was not quite busy enough, I decided to get my life guard certification. I took my Bronze Cross and Bronze Medallion so that I could supervise my physical education class in the pool without having to pay for an extra lifeguard.

Ophelia:          Wow, that is a lot for one person to be doing.  We are going to take a short break and be right back with Stacy and Dr. O’.
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“Not sure where your life is going? Sad one day and excited the next? If you think you might have bipolar disorder, test with Psynomics and get the peace of mind that comes from having done all you can to manage your health.”
Note: this advertisement is paid for by Psynomics- Genomics for the new psychiatry and does not represent the view of this station or the current programing.4 (Satire)
******************************************************************************
Ophelia:          We are here, with Stacy and Dr .O’, discussing bipolar II disorder. Stacy, before the break you were telling us about all that you undertook in your life prior to being diagnosed as bipolar. I’d love for you to describe some of the behaviours that you experienced that you now recognize as red flags to the fact that something was “not quite right”.

Stacy:              When I was awake I had to constantly be moving, if I was not busy teaching, I would drive up and down the highway. Just driving without reason. If I knew I had to be at work in an hour, I’d drive for 30 minutes and then turn around and head back. Looking back , that should have been a sign for me. If I start driving aimlessly now I know something is wrong.

Ophelia:          Dr. O’, is bipolar disorder common?

Dr. O’:                        It seems that Bipolar Disorder II is more prevalent in women. It occurs in 0.5% -1% of the population.

Ophelia:          Stacy, my producers mentioned you had an interesting trip during all this upheaval, can you tell us about it?

Stacy:              I taught in my hometown for another year after that but someone suggested I go back to school and get an education degree. Not wanting to be “bumped” out of my job I enrolled in the University Of New Brunswick’s bachelor of Education program and began attending classes in the fall of 1997. While I was at UNB, I was given the opportunity to take an International Issues in Education class in Wallsall, England and teach part time in a British elementary school.
My family is not poor but my father spent lots of our money on alcohol and cigarettes. There was no way they could buy my ticket to England, so I had to figure out how to do this for myself.
I did not know it at the time but my mania helped get me to England.

Ophelia:          Dr. O’, can you remind us what mania is?

Dr. O’:                        Mania is an inflated feeling, where you are on top of the world and nothing can stop you. It is accompanied by racing thoughts and very specific goal-directed behaviour.5

Stacy:             I was goal-directed all right, I decided I could raise the $4,000 needed for the month long class by having fund raisers at the local pub. I hosted an open mike night once a week for 4 months. These were usually on Tuesdays from 9-11. I would not get home till midnight and I am usually up by 6am each day. I also decided that I could sell some items to raise more money so I sold off all my CDs and jewelry except my mother’s wedding ring. It did not matter what the cost, I was going to England.

Ophelia:         You sure worked hard to get to England, how was the trip?

Stacy:             It could have been a wonderful adventure with lots of fun side trips across Europe, but when I arrived I moved into a dorm room and I crashed, I was so exhausted I could barely get out of bed to get to class and I was teaching little ones who had so much energy, it tired me out.
Other students went on trips to Ireland and France but I just stayed in my room when I was not supposed to be in class or teaching. I had made only just enough money to get there and back but England is very expensive and I had little spending money so I just stayed home and slept from one day to the next. I would not even have money for lunches so my team teacher noticed and started bringing sandwiches for me. Ophelia, have you ever had a liver and onion sandwich?

Ophelia:         Can’t say that I have.

Stacy:             It was nice of my teacher, but they are gross! I don’t recommend them at all.

When the month was up, my accompanying professor made sure I was on the plane back to Canada. I was a mess. When I arrived home I stayed in bed for three days eating shortbread cookies I had picked up at the airport in the duty free shop and drinking water. On day four, I called my Mom and told her I was coming home. I went to a doctor in my home town but he diagnosed me as depressed and gave me antidepressants. I took them because I thought they would help, but now I know this was a terrible mistake.

Dr. O’:            When someone is bipolar and is given anti-depressants it can send them to the complete opposite extreme and they can become manic.

Stacy:             Here I was, just like a year earlier, manic as can be, with all kinds of fancy full ideas. I did very well at school because nothing stopped me, I’d stay up all night working on assignments. I would speak up in class and share whatever popped into my head. I often said if I could bottle what was giving me my “high” it would be worth a fortune. Now, I know that mania is not fun, I spent money I didn’t have, I completely disregarded people’s feelings and I used everyone I could, to get what I thought I needed. 

Ophelia:         We are going to head to a commercial break, but coming up, Stacy will tell us all about her manic adventures.

***********************************************************************
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Note: this advertisement is paid for by Empower Plus-Pig Fix Calgary and does not represent the view of this station or the current programming. 6 (Satire)
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Ophelia:          Can you tell us about something that you did then that, looking back, you really regret?
Stacy:              It was Easter 1999, I decided I was going to visit some friends in Montreal, I told my Mom I was going to visit children in the hospital, but I rented a car and drove from Fredericton, NB to Montreal. I just stopped in and saw everyone I knew, without warning, gave them a hug and said I had to go ‘cause I had lots of other people to see. 
The last person on my list was my friend Janice, she called my Mom when I arrived at her door unannounced ‘cause she was worried. My mother freaked out and told me to be sure to get back to school I had my last two weeks of practicum to complete.
Dr O’:             Another common symptom of Bipolar II is “excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences”7
Ophelia:          Did you make it back to school, Stacy?
Stacy:              Yes, but I needed gas to get there, so I traded my mother’s wedding ring in exchange for a full tank of gas. I also got a speeding ticket for going 120 in an 80 zone, but I’d have to figure out how to pay for that later.
Ophelia:          You mentioned you were completing your practicum, how did your bipolar affect that?
Stacy:              Well, I have to say, it had the most impact on my practicum. The Friday after my Easter- Montreal adventure, my cooperating teacher sat me down as she had every other week to go over my progress. She began speaking to me and I burst into tears, “why are you so hard on me?” I wailed.
Once I had calmed down, she asked me when I had last had a good nights sleep. I told her that would have been about 8 weeks ago when I started my practicum!
                        She excused herself and came back five minutes later with my coat and bag, she said she was bringing me to the hospital so I could get some rest. I was so mad at her. Here I was, five days away from completing my practicum and she was bringing me to the hospital.           
Dr. O’:            Stacy, was very lucky that her teacher recognized the signs of hypomania and brought her in.
Stacy:              Yes, looking back now, I can safely say she saved my life.              
Ophelia:          That was what you needed.
Stacy:              Yes, that was ten years ago. I am on mood stabilizers, Lithium and Gabapentin now and doing very well.
Dr O’:             Once a patient is stable on lithium it is very important to not go off their medication. 8 Stacy learned that valuable lesson in 2003 when she was doing very well and decided she didn’t need her medication anymore.
Stacy:              Yes, I bought a car and a house! Then after a few months of craziness I readmitted myself into hospital and after four weeks was all regulated again.
Ophelia:          Dr. O’, Stacy was very lucky, can you tell us about some recent breakthroughs that can be beneficial to people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder.        
Dr. O’:            The best thing for a person with bipolar disorder to do is learn as much as they can and take control of their life instead of letting their disorder control them. Black Dog Institute had developed an internet based bipolar education program which I recommend to all of my patients. It is a great way to stay informed and it takes away the stigma of mental illness.9
Ophelia:          here is the website: http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/bipolar/bep/index.cfm
*scrolls across the bottom of the TV screen
Dr. O’:            Stacy is all to familiar with the stigma of mental illness, Stacy can you share with us?
Stacy:              When I told my Mother that I was diagnosed as bipolar she wondered how to tell our family. She wondered what to say if anything.
I was upset by this but realized that this was all new for her too.
So I said, “If I had cancer, would you tell them?”
“Of course I would” Mom said .
 “Then tell them that I am sick and that I will be on medication to help me. If they have any other questions they can ask me directly.”
Ophelia:          That is our show for today, Thank you so much for joining us today, Stacy and Dr O’. God Bless and Good Health.

References

American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, D.C., pp. 332-363
 
Bizzarri, J.V. et al. (2007) The spectrum of substance abuse in bipolar disorder: reasons for use, sensation seeking and substance sensitivity. Bipolar Disorders 2007, Volume 9, 213-220. Bolzano, Italy.

Lawrence, H. Price, (2008) Editor’s commentary psychiatric gene testing: are we ready? Brown University, Psychopharmacology Update.

CBC television True Hope for Bipolar Patients retrieved from
            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV8Tb2ONjxU

Biel, M.G. et al. (2007) Continuation versus discontinuation of lithium in recurrent bipolar illness: a naturalistic study. Bipolar Disorders: 9:435-442. New York, New York.

Proudfoot, J. et al. (2007) Next generation of self management education: web based bipolar disorder program. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Journal of Psychiatry: 41:903-909. New South Wales, Australia.

           

1
 American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, D.C., pp. 359-363
2
 American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, D.C., pp. 335-338
3
 Bizzarri, J.V. et al. (2007) The spectrum of substance abuse in bipolar disorder: reasons for use, sensation seeking and substance sensitivity. Bipolar Disorders 2007, Volume 9, 213-220. Bolzano, Italy.
4
 Lawrence, H. Price, (2008) Editor’s commentary psychiatric gene testing: are we ready? Brown University, Psychopharmacology Update.
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  Empower plus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV8Tb2ONjxU
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 Biel, M.G. et al. (2007) Continuation versus discontinuation of lithium in recurrent bipolar illness: a naturalistic study. Bipolar Disorders: 9:435-442. New York, New York.
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 Proudfoot, J. Et al. (2007) Next generation of self management education: web based bipolar disorder program. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Journal of Psychiatry: 41:903-909. New South Wales, Australia.


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