Social Defeat and the roots of Psychosis

For the last few days, whenever I can before closing my eyes for the day, I pick up this book called Our Most Troubling Madness, a fascinating collection of ethnographies from different parts of the world. It is a research in medical anthropology- with different researchers writing from different countries, including from India. My brother …

Pave the way or ask for directions?

alI am amused and surprised about the number of people who meet me and DO NOT ASK for directions. Of course nobody is an idiot to offer help without being asked for it! Certainly not me at 45 years! Yes, meeting someone who is recovered is an encouragement to most and they see, in person, …

‘Treatment’ for Bipolar

"my 19 years old older brother is suffering from bipolar disorder….we have already started his medication with psychiatrist…. …..mam can u suggest me some good treatment of this illness…." Since I have been repeatedly receiving queries of this sort, from someone with a loved one with a bipolar diagnosis, I am writing this post as …

SSRIs, Akathisia and Suicide Risk

If you suffer from either of the following-  depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). you may be prescribed a drug called Paxil, an SSRI. All explanations follow. Paxil is one of a class of antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI’s.  These have become …

Support in bipolar

There are may ways to support people with bipolar. One of the key things is to understand the relationship you are in with them. As well as your proximity. There can be two different outcomes from bipolar support- one which produces a recovery, and one which creates a life long dependence and disability. You have …

Understand the roots of your suffering

Several of the posts on this blog are going to be blog entries from my other blogs, which I have written in the past. Since this blog is meant to be a collective of all threads I have on the subject of mental illness, I intend re-posting them from wherever they are scattered in cyberspace, for …