Here, in this place--in your place--to be a "follower" is a sign of strength. Follow then, and learn, for you've nothing to lose except confusion.

Select Alternative Health Therapies

1. The St. John's Wort FAQ - By Camilla Cracchiolo, R.N. - This FAQ on the herb known as St. John's Wort is invaluable and a must read for those considering the use of the herb as an antidepressant/antianxiety medication.
   
   
2. Herb Research Foundation -- HRF provides an extremely comprehensive site for those interested in researching the medicinal herbs.
   
   
3. St. John's Wort: As Treatment for Depression-studies -- A concise summary of where science is at in studying the medicinal qualities of hypericin.
   
   
4. The Hypericum Home Page -- A site completely dedicated to St. John's Wort. If you want to know about this herb, then this is the place to go. You'll also find internet-distributors of hypericum. Want to know what the side-effects of this herb are? Go here first. Be sure you are buying that which is called "research grade" quality or the effect may not be as expected.
   
   

   Art Therapy   

1. American Art Therapy Association, Inc. - Governing body and central depository for information in America.
   
   
2. Art Therapy in Canada - A very nice and fairly complete Canadian site with the associated bulletin board below.
   
   
3. Art Therapy Newsgroup - This is primarily a question/answer resource for art therapists and is associated with Art Therapy in Canada above.
   
   
4. Applied and Interactive Theater Guide - Suny University sponsors this site that emphasizes the art form of drama as therapy.
   
   
5. South Texas Art Therapy Association - Some interesting stuff here.
   
   
6. AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION, INC. -- This is an interesting site with room for improvement. Of interest to US therapists for its effort to stay current on federal legislation. Of interest to others for the discussion of the ethical dimension in regards to art therapy.
   
   
7. Art Therapy On The Web - Really nice site; full of resources.
   
   
8. National Coalition for Arts Therapies Association - An excellent site, again, with many resources.
   
   

Patient/Doctor Relationship

1. The Best Psychiatrists for People with Mood Disorders - This is a US-centric list of physicians compiled by Dr. Ivan. NOTE: Send me a brief review of your psychiatrist and I'll keep a file of the good and the bad that will be available to anyone via email only.
   
   
2. MHIC: Mental Illness and the Family - Part II: Finding the Right Mental Health Care For You - Part 2 of the National Mental Health Association's helpful series on coping with mental illness.
   
   
3. CDT Privacy Website -- Advice on how to keep your health records secure & private when using electronic mailing systems.
   
   
4. Choosing A Mental Health Counselor Or Psychotherapist -- A nice article detailing some of the common pitfalls encountered in the therapist hunt.
   
   
5. How to get Better Care: - by D.J. Jaffe - A nice solid piece with some good advice for getting the best care possible for yourself. A must read article.
   
   

  The Bipolar Woman: Some Important Issues  

1. Lithium Use & Pregnancy: A brief exposition of the major drawbacks of lithium use by pregnant and/or nursing mothers.
   
   
2. New Type Of Antidepressant Safe For Pregnant Women - Research has confirmed that at least three of the most popular SSRI's are safe to use during pregnancy.
   
   
3. Medication, Pregnancy and Lactation -- an internet resource for health professionals and other interested people, this is an excellent overview of pharmacology as it affects the pregnant or lactating female.
   
   
4. Treating Pregnant Patients with Psychotropic Drugs -- Laura Miller, M.D. Some psychotropic drugs can result in increased numbers of miscarriages, fertility problems, and may affect the neurotransmitters of the developing fetus. Recommended. You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
   
   
5. Pregnancy & Mental Illness - From NAMI, a fact sheet on some of the psychotropic drugs that may be injurious to a developing fetus. Recommended
   
   
6. Tired? Depressed? Check Your Thyroid -- By Paula Dranov Condensed from American Health (May '94) - When This Gland Goes Haywire, Watch Out - and that's pretty much the truth of it. I am hypothyroid myself, and one of my most annoying problems is trying to determine which physical effect I'm suffering is due to the thyroid condition, the psychotropic drugs or a cold. This article may help you sort out whether your mood swings are at least partially due to a flakey thyroid gland.
   
   
7. Electroconvulsive Therapy and Pregnancy -- Some of us are opposed to ECT, but be that as it may, ECT is relatively safe as far as foetal development goes, unlike many psychotropic drugs. So, it's good that women know this treatment is an option if they are pregnant and in dire straits.
   
   
8. Bipolar Disorder and ERT (Estrogen Replacement Therapy) -- From Mental Health Sources "Ask The Expert" comes this interesting (and rare) discussion of bipolar and ERT.
   
   
9. Lithium, Pregnancy, & Birth Defects: Additional information for those expecting or considering childbirth.
   
   
10. Women with Bipolar Illness -- Article by Robert M. Smith, MD. A bit technical, but not too much so. Medscape Site Map -- Register here -- You must first register with Medscape before you can access the database. Registration is free.
    
    
11. American Thyroid Association (General Information) - Hypothyroidism is a condition particularly common to women and can be a side effect of lithium. It is wise to be aware of the symptoms of this disorder since they often mimic other pertinent symptomology for bipolar illness.
    
    
12. HYPOTHYROIDISM - From the MedicineNet site, this is an excellent introduction to the symptoms and effects of hypothyroidism. Not something anyone can afford to ignore, hypothyroidism can kill yet is easily treated.
    
    
13. Levothyroxine Products in the Treatment of Hypothyroidism - From the _Journal of the American Medical Association_ comes this recent article on some common thyroid treatment drugs. [Full text, Apr 16 JAMA. 1997;277:1205-1213] (c) AMA 1997.
    
    
14. Anorgasmia and Other Paroxetine/SSRI-Related Side-effects -- This is a selection of postings from one of the forums on the PharmInfoNet site. For women who have experienced the inability to achieve orgasm or a decrease in libido, there may be some answers here for you.
    
    
15. Lithium, Antidepressants, & Advice Discusses side effects of these drugs and contains a section devoted to pregnant women, the elderly & children.
    
    
16. Recognizing the Range of Mood Disorders in Women: A paper and talk given by Dr. Jennifer I. Downey, M.D. This article is a fairly comprehensive discussion of the effects of female cycles, aging processes, pregnancy and hormones on mood disorders.You must first register with Medscape before you can access this article. Register here. (Registration is free and one time only).
    
    
17. Female Gender and Mood Disorders: From the Mental Health Resources site, an historical perspective.
    
    

    
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