Bipolar4LifeSupport

http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co

Risk factors are often confused with warning signs of suicide, and frequently suicide prevention materials mix the two into lists of “what to watch out for.” It is important to note, however, that factors identified as increasing risk are not factors that cause or predict a suicide attempt. Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that an individual will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. Protective factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.
Risk Factors for Suicide
•Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and certain personality disorders
•Alcohol and other substance use disorders
•Hopelessness
•Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
•History of trauma or abuse
•Major physical illnesses
•Previous suicide attempt
•Family history of suicide
•Job or financial loss
•Loss of relationship
•Easy access to lethal means
•Local clusters of suicide
•Lack of social support and sense of isolation
•Stigma associated with asking for help
•Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance abuse treatment
•Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
•Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and Internet)
Protective Factors for Suicide
•Effective clinical care for mental, physical and substance use disorders
•Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions
•Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
•Strong connections to family and community support
•Support through ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
•Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution and handling problems in a non-violent way
•Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
(This was adapted from “Understanding Risk and Protective Factors for Suicide” and “Risk and protective factors for suicide” by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.)

Company

Address
Medical Information
Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbot Park Rd.
Abbott Park, IL 60064
800-633-9110

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
PO Box 15437, DE 19850
800-236-9933

Barr Laboratories
Customer Service
400 Chestnut Ridge Rd Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
800-227-7522

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
900 Ridgebury Rd.
PO Box 368
Ridgefield, CT 06877-0368
800-542-6257

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Co.
PO Box 4500
Princeton, NJ 08543-4500
800-321-1335

Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly Corporate Center
Indianapolis, IN 46285
800-545-5979

Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
13600 Shoreline Drive St. Louis, MO 63045
800-678-1605

GlaxoSmithKline
One Franklin Plaza
PO Box 7929
Philadelphia, PA 19101
888-825-5249

Ivax Pharmaceuticals
Customer Service
4400 Biscayne Blvd. Miami, Florida 33137
800-327-4114

Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc.
1125 Trenton-Harbourton Rd.
PO Box 200
Titusville, NJ 08560-0200
800-526-7736

McNeil Consumer & Specialty Products
Consumer Relations Center
7050 Camp Hill Rd
Fort Washington, PA 19034-2210
800-962-5357

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
59 Route 10
East Hanover, NJ 07936
800-245-5356

Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1125 Trenton-Harbourton Rd.
PO Box 200
Titusville, NJ 08560-0200
800-526-7736

Pfizer, Inc.
235 East 42nd St.
New York, NY 10017-5755
800-438-1985

Roche Pharmaceuticals
340 Kingsland St.
Nutley, NJ 07110-1199
800-526-6367

Sanofi-Aventis
55 Corporate Drive
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
800-207-8049

Schering Plough Corporation
Consumer Relations
PO Box 377
Memphis, TN 38151-0001
800-842-4090

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
901 Sawyer Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062
800-354-0026

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
84 Waterford Drive
Marlborough, MA 01752
800-739-0565

Wyeth
PO Box 8299
Philadelphia, PA 19101
800-934-5556

http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co

Long term monitoring is valuable in monitoring is valuable in Bipolar Disorder to faciliate recognition of the vairiablity in the mood swings associated with the condition, including identification of symptom-free intervals.
Ongoing monitoring also provides an “early warning” system and a method to recognize any patterns of stressful life events that ,ay act as triggers.
Detailed documentation of medication and triggers provides information about adherence and the relationship of the medication and trigger type and schedule to the mood swings.
MOOD CHARTS:

Mood charting is a simplified patient self-report technique derived from the more extensive Life Chart approach. The participation of the patient in providing input to the daily documentation has been found to promote a more involved an d collaborative theraputic alliance with the clinician.
Patient participation serves to reinforce education and information about the condition and how to manage life style
(sleep habits, etc) and promotes active involvement in the management of the disorder

http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co

DSM-V New Revised EDITION “

“These changes that are going to happen by May, 2013′ are going to surprise you” Published ”Scientific American Mind”
Written by: Ferris Jabr:
The DSM ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ), has not been up dated for 30 years now. These changes just might surprise you. Stated on the cover of this Article “Redefining Mental Illness.” In 2010′ American Psychiatric Association debuted a draft of the new manual on their Web Site that has so far received 50 million hits from about 500,000 individuals, many of them critics.
The revised manual will very likely scrap Psychiatry staples such as “Asperger’s syndrome and paranoid personality disorder.
Additions to the diagnostic manual are likely to include an ailment for children marked by severe temper tantrums and for adults a type of sex addiction.
The DSM-5 framers are scrapping certain disorders, such as Asperger’s and adding brand – new ones including addiction to gambling.
Psychiatrists have long come under fire for over diagnosing certain aliments, especially in children, and doing out medications as freely as lollipops. Giving childhood Bipolar Disorder a new name and defining a syndrome of early psychosis may only intensify the problem.
To make its new diagnostic manual easier to use, the American Psychiatric Association organized the book’s contents chronologically, starting with diseases that most often appear in childhood and covering adult disorders toward the back.
Curators of the new book eliminated over a dozen less distinct disorders, sometimes merging them into larger categories.
Experts traditionally reserved the term “addiction” for drug related problems. Now they are recognizing other types of addictive behaviors. Food, sex, and gambling addictions are likely to make their debut in the latest edition of psychiatry’s diagnostic bible.
“The DSM has always been a primitive guide to the world of Psychological stress, but the categories have become more reliable and meaningful.”

http://www.bipolar4lifesupport.co

How can I get information about medications?

Many mental health consumers, as well as concerned family and friends, seek information to help them better understand the benefits of prescribed medications, potential side effects, and to help them in talking with their doctor about such matters.
Mental Health America encourages consumers to talk with their doctor regarding any medication-related questions or concerns and to inform him or her about all the medications being taken so that negative drug interactions can be avoided.
In addition to talking with their doctor, many consumers and their family members want to consult other information sources.
Medication Decisions

When you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused, it’s understandable that you might want to let others make medication decisions for you. But it’s becoming clearer to researchers, providers and mental health consumers themselves that being actively involved in your treatment can make a real difference in your recovery. Talking honestly with your doctor is a big part of that process. If you discuss your concerns and learn about your options, you are much more likely to come up with a plan that works well for you and for the life you want to create.
The following tips can help you decide about taking a medication:•Get information. Ask your provider how the medication is supposed to help with your specific concerns. Also find out about any possible side effects. You might consider taking notes, since it can be hard to remember a lot of information, especially when you aren’t feeling well. You also might ask a friend or relative to go with you for emotional support and to help keep track of important information. Use MHA’s Antipsychotic Medication Checklist to help with such discussions.
•Talk with others with similar experiences. Self-help groups and peer specialists-people with mental health conditions who are trained to help-can provide great first-hand information. Remember that every person is different, but you can learn from the experiences of others.
•Think about your priorities and goals. Is relief from symptoms extremely important? If not, maybe you’re willing to live with some symptoms to avoid side effects. What are your main life goals? How might medication help?
•Sometimes the only way to know if a medication is right for you is to try it. You may find that it helps you feel much better. If not, you can decide to stop later.
What should I ask about the medications that are prescribed for me?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that you ask the following questions:•What is the name of the medication and what is it supposed to do?
•How and when do I take it, and when do I stop taking it?
•What foods, drinks or other medications should I avoid while taking this medication?
•Should it be taken with food or on an empty stomach?
•Is it safe to drink alcohol while on this medication?
•What are the side effects, and what should I do if they occur?
•Is a Patient Package Insert for the medication available?
How can I tell if my medication is working?

Some people get relief from their symptoms immediately, others after a few days or weeks; for others, it may take even longer. After a short time on the medication, it’s important to share with your doctor or therapist how you are doing with the treatment. Together, you may need to find the right amount of medicine or combination of medicines.
It’s especially important to tell your doctor about any side effects you’re having from the medication. You may be able to make some changes in dosage or the time of day you take the medication to lessen or get rid of the side effects. There are also newer medications that have fewer side effects than older drugs, making it easier for people to stay on them. If after an extended period of time on a medication you are still not experiencing progress, you may need to talk with your doctor about trying another medication. Consult your doctor before making any changes in your medication.
How long you take medication really depends on your particular needs. Some people are able to discontinue medication when their symptoms have fully subsided and they have reached their treatment goals. Others may need to remain on medication for longer periods of time as part of a long-term recovery plan.
To talk with a knowledgeable professional, you can consult the following resources:
•Your local pharmacist is a valuable resource to answer medication-related questions. Pharmacies are required to provide written information about prescriptions they are dispensing.
•Pharmaceutical companies have staff that can respond to questions from the general public. View pharmaceutical company medical information telephone numbers below.
•In addition, many states have Drug Information Centers operated by area hospitals