nudge nudge link link

I suppose that one of the benefits of bipolar being such a popular disorder *eyes rolling mightily* is that there’s a sizeable flow of content pouring into cyberspace every single day. As a result, my brain is a little fuller and my linkdumps are as long as a… idk. I should probably start splitting them, or just plain shortening them. I shall ponder.

Spotlight on…

The acronym formerly known as co-morbid disorders…

Researchers identify new spectrum disorder called ALPIM syndrome.
A = Anxiety disorder (mostly panic disorder);
L = Ligamentous laxity (joint hypermobility syndrome, scoliosis, double-jointedness, mitral valve prolapse, easy bruising);
P = Pain (fibromyalgia, migraine and chronic daily headache, irritable bowel syndrome, prostatitis/cystitis);
I = Immune disorders (hypothyroidism, asthma, nasal allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome); and
M = Mood disorders (major depression, Bipolar II and Bipolar III disorder, tachyphylaxis. Two thirds of patients in the study with mood disorder had diagnosable bipolar disorder and most of those patients had lost response to antidepressants).

(Bipolar III? Whut?)

Controversial…

“… between 2 and 3 per cent of the 1,924 people who died last year by euthanasia were psychiatric patients. Bipolar disorder was the majority diagnosis.” What happens when you euthanase the mentally ill?
Belgium euthanases one person with psychological issues per week.

Are you feeling bipolarlingual?

/Q/ In your opinion, what is the Hispanic community’s attitude towards mental illness such as bipolar disorder and depression?
A// There’s more tolerance and knowledge but there’s also still a lot of work to be done. Lot’s of stigma, little support. A Spanglish Q&A With Penelope Kirk – Latina Writer & Blogger

I have no idea whether French band Bipolar Gang use bipolar in a negative, neutral or positive way, but I do like the sound of this…

Mamaaaaa

3 tips for navigating pregnancy with bipolar disorder.

Research roundup…

“Robert Burton the neurologist calls for a new “quantum theory” of sorts for our study of the mind. In his view, the brain scientists, psychologists looking at the mind, and even the rare Szasz follower are failing to see an overall structure and function that perhaps, like quantum physics, goes beyond structure and function. And, like in quantum mechanics, the first step is knowing that you have no idea what you’re looking at.” Brain confusion: Why it’s so difficult to find cures for mental disorders
The Psychiatric Dangers of New Designer Drug ‘Flakka’
Smoking could cause mental illness.
Fluctuating capacity and advance decision-making in Bipolar Affective Disorder — Self-binding directives and self-determination.

More culture than yoghurt…

Loneliness of mental illness leads to ambitious plan to set 100 statues on Anchorage mudflats.
UK: the music industry needs to wake up and support artists with mental health problems.

Questions, answers…

For bipolar II we experience hypomania, which I like to call mania-light. All the crazy with half the impairment. (Natasha Tracy) The definitive explanation is here, it’s well worth reading.
Why do women have higher rates of ptsd than men?
Can smoking cause psychosis?

Change needed…

“Researchers are now discovering more about what puts someone at risk of developing schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Some of it has to do with people’s circumstances, such as where and how they live. Combined with cognitive tests and family medical histories, such information should make it possible to intervene earlier. John Kane of Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine in New York has shown that people who receive proper treatment as soon as their symptoms appear recover more quickly and have a less fraught relationship with their doctors. And they can be treated with far lower doses of antipsychotic medicine than traditionally prescribed. That matters because some of these drugs have unpleasant side-effects, including weight gain, that discourage people from taking them.” Making cruel unusual: The treatment of severe mental illness used to be barbaric. Sometimes it still is.
India: An endless road to reintegration for mental health patients
Racial Disparity in Mental Illness: Advice for Clinicians (video and transcript)

Who you gonna call? Stigmabusters!

“… to help reduce the stigmatization and discrimination surrounding mental health, I have only one solution to propose which is to STOP BEING IGNORANT ALREADY!” Addressing Global Stigmatization of Mental Health, Time for a New Face for MentalHealth.
New Mental Health Television PSAs: NAMI Launches “Hope Starts with You” Campaign
Semicolon movement wants to bring mental illness out of the shadows.
Stigma Towards Mental Health: Stigma Impacts Vocation
Open Minds Quarterly is calling for writing submissions, after the 1st of August 2015. We are seeking submissions that are insightful, intelligent and creative, because we know that’s what mental health consumers are. Our mission is to eliminate stigma by showcasing the work of mental health consumers. Your writing needn’t cover mental health issues if you are submitting poetry or fiction; however, first-person accounts, essays, reviews and open letters should relate to your experience with mental illness.
No shame in mental health problems.
From athlete to activist – WNBA star shares her struggle with bipolar disorder in new documentary.

Celebrities: sense and nonsensibility…

Catherine Zeta Jones Mini Dress Stuns At Michael Douglas ‘Ant-Man’ Film As She Talks Fitness & Bipolar (zomg mini dress! PS bipolar.)“In addition to working out at the gym, Zeta-Jones loves to hula-hoop and swim. “I’m obsessed with Hula-Hooping,” confessed Catherine. “I do it 20 minutes a day. I don’t use the old-fashioned hollow plastic kind we had when we were kids, but I discovered a new one at Danskin that’s smaller and weighted.”” WOW! Srs bsns!
UK: Tell the boss or not? Ruby waxes lyrical (but misguided) on mental health disclosure.
Another reaction: Should you tell your boss about mental illness? Absolutely.