bless me bloggers, for I have linked

It has been 16 days since my last link-session… Yup, I’m a recovering Catholic. Hi. And now, let us link.

Hot off the dePress:

USA: Cariprazine has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It’s an atypical antipsychotic and it’ll be pimped under the sexy name of Vraylar. Autocorrect suggested ‘vary largely’, which is a phrase I suspect we could apply to most, if not all of our meds and their effects. The efficacy is anyone’s guess, but here’s a headsup about the sighed effects.

Most common reactions reportedly caused by schizophrenic patients taking Vraylar were the triad of tremors, slurring of speech and involuntary muscle spasms collectively called extrapyramidal symptoms. For bipolar patients, common side effects were, aside from the extrapyramidal symptoms, indigestion, agitation and drowsiness. The combined number of participants for all trials was more than 2,700 volunteers. source

We take antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, tranquillisers, sleep meds… We never take anything with “bipolar disorder” on the box though, do we? The disorder varies too fucking largely.

Studies show medication adherence in bipolar disorder is only about 40% to 45%, but this dangerous, progressive disease has a high suicide rate. Adherence is complicated by the fact that patients may miss the mild “high” that many associate with periods of creativity, says Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD.  source

UK: What I’ve learned from my mother’s bipolar disorder is a truly lovely thing – and you should read it whether or not you’re a mother and/or daughter. Okay one of the things she learned is how to do a duckface, but that’s totally forgiven once the warmth and love shine through. Perfect for printing out and shoving in the face of anyone who ever gives you that whole “bipolar people shouldn’t have kids” bs – and for you too, when you’re agonising over it.

USA: A beautifully written piece about an unbeautiful subject next

Work hard, child. Internalize the figures of your mother, your father, your parents (one omnipotent double-gendered personage). Internalize The Race. Internalize both races. Then internalize the contradictions. Teach your psyche to adapt its solo life to a group obbligato. Or else let it abandon any impulse toward independence and hurtle toward a feverishly perfect presentation of your people. (Margo Jefferson) Growing Up Black and Female Meant Depression Was Forbidden

UK: A departure from the usual my little pony perspective from those whose bipolar is in remission (or whose bipolar was a mild version in the first place, perhaps), this dude gives a very honest account in a two part interview.

This brings us to the present day. I am still deeply mired in depression and suicidal ideation. As a result and after eight years I have lost my job. My wife and I have separated and I have had to move to cheaper accommodation. I am now swamped in benefits’ forms and continuing on the medication regime mentioned above, although I have requested a review with my psychiatrist as it clearly is not working. source

Perfect for printing and shoving in the faces of those who think that “bipolar is manageable” is the important part of all of those intro info articles. So isn’t it manageable? It is, there just needs to be a confluence of all or most of the following (I’m sure I’ve left out loads, please let me know).

Getting diagnosed, preferably earlier than the 10 year average.
Finding good treatment.
Being able to afford/access good treatment.
Finding the right meds.
Avoiding long and short term damage by the meds.
Not having a treatment resistant type of bipolar.
Having a safe place to live.
Having adequate money.
Having a good support network.
Avoiding being the target of jokes, cruelty and discrimination.

Nicer people than me might enjoy why I love being bipolar instead.

UK: I’ve always thought that Frank Bruno seemed like a decent bloke, and I thought the documentary about his daughter, him and bipolar was good. Poor dude’s been sucker punched by it again and is in hospital.

“This may well be the toughest fight of my life, but I’ll do all I can to win it.” Frank Bruno

Um. If an ex world champion boxer says bipolar is tough, could all the mugglefuckers who think that we can snort pollen and think positive to overcome bipolar please stand up so we can shoot you down again.

Scott Stapp has been having a rough time of it too (in a far more flamboyant way than Frank), but is now feeling good and asking for a Creed reunion.

Couple more shlebs bounded on to the bipolar bandwagon:

UK: DJ & former radio 1 host Benga has revealed he has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

I might as well explain it on here. My bipolar was brought on by drugs and the schizophrenia was the result of excessive touring. (from his Twitter feed)

USA: From Olympian To Vegas Escort: Suzy Favor Hamilton Opens Up About Her Struggle With Bipolar Disorder.

Favor Hamilton’s journey from Olympian to escort to mental health activist is singular. But her experience with bipolar disorder isn’t drastically different from that of the 6 million other American adults who live with the condition.

I love that quote, Amy Rushlow you’re my favourite journo today.

Australia: Well done for seeing that some justice is served, but two years is too little and I hope the asshole never practises again, he’s doing too good a job of proving the survival of the shittest theory.

Psychiatrist Alex Sharah, who compared lesbians to paedophiles, disqualified: One woman, known as Patient C, went to Mr Sharah for treatment of bipolar disorder. During a consultation in December 2012, he used holy water to draw the sign of the cross on her forehead, despite knowing she was a Muslim, and prayed while standing over her.

What we say:
Sleep: the other half of bipolar medication.
21 things you only know if you’re bipolar.

What they say:
Now what? Navigating the mental illness diagnosis maze.
Antipsychotic nonadherence may be more common in bipolar disorder, MDD than schizophrenia.
Still in the Dark: Unknown Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder and Circadian Cycles.
Dear parent, your child has had a psychotic break.