May 16, 2012

Depakote Birth Injury Resources Evaluating Abbott Laboratories for Potential Lawsuits Related to Birth Defects From Depakote Use


(PRWEB) January 7, 2011

The most popular prescription drug currently on the market for treating both epilepsy and the manic phase of bipolar disorder is the branded pharmaceutical Depakote. Following a 2009 FDA warning about the possible birth defects associated with Depakote use during pregnancy, Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Depakote, is coming under increased scrutiny about the dangerous side effects of the drug. Depakote Birth Injury Resources (DBIR) are currently evaluating Abbott Laboratories for potential lawsuits regarding a correlation between Depakote taken during pregnancy and a heightened chance of severe birth injury (Source: “The Teratogenicity of Anticonvulsant Drugs”, New England Journal of Medicine, April 2001).

Depakote is estimated to have been used by over 2 million people since its first FDA approval in 1983 and is known by a host of other brand and generic names, including Depacon (valproate sodium), Depakote CP, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles (dilvalproex sodium), Stavzor (valproic acid) and Depakene (valproic acid), among others. Depakote is indicated for the treatment of mania associated with bipolar disorder, and as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in the treatment of patients with complex partial seizures. Depakote is also indicated for the prevention of migraine headaches in adults.

Depakote is produced by Abbott Laboratories, a pharmaceutical corporation whose headquarters are based in Abbott Park, North Chicago, Illinois. Abbott Laboratories was established by the physician Dr. Wallace Calvin Abbott in 1888 and currently has over 72,000 employees and operates in 130 countries worldwide. In 2008, Abbott had over $ 29 billion in revenue. The companys drug portfolio includes HUMIRA (treatment for various forms of arthritis, Crohns Disease and severe psoriasis), Norvir (an HIV treatment), Depakote (anticonvulsant drug) and Synthroid (a synthetic thyroid hormone). Depakote was once one of Abbott’s best-selling drugs, generating nearly $ 1.4 billion in sales for 2008, although sales have recently declined due to generic competition. Abbott also produces a broad range of medical devices and nutritional products, including most notably the meal-replacement shake Ensure, and EAS, a system of nutritional supplements.

In December of 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to health care professionals and patients about the potential increased risk of birth injuries and birth defects when valproate sodium and related products are used by mothers during pregnancy. The FDA warning centers around the risk of neural tube defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord) and other major birth defects, such as craniofacial defects (cleft palate or abnormally formed face and skull) and cardiovascular malformations (abnormally formed heart or blood vessels) in babies exposed to valproate sodium and related products during pregnancy (Source: “Birth Defects Related to Depakote and Similar Drugs”, Dec 2009, http://www.fda.gov)

Attorneys from Depakote Birth Injury Resources (DepakoteBirthInjury.com) are currently evaluating Abbott Laboratories for potential lawsuits related to birth defects. With data showing a strong link between Depakote and increase risk for birth defects, any person who is currently taking Depakote or who took Depakote during pregnancy and experienced side effects or birth defects and injury in their child is advised to seek consultation (Source: “The Teratogenicity of Anticonvulsant Drugs”, New England Journal of Medicine, April 2001). For more information about the Depakote side effects, birth defects associated with Depakote use or Depakote birth defect resources, visit DBIR at DepakoteBirthInjury.com

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May 13, 2012

New Video about Unawareness of Mental Illness Released to Mark Mental Health Awareness Month


Arlington, VA (PRWEB) May 04, 2012

A new four-minute video featuring dramatic footage from an interview with a mentally ill man who killed two U.S. Capitol police officers while trying to protect the nation from cannibals has been released by the Treatment Advocacy Center to mark the annual observance of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Unawareness of ones own mental illness clinically known as anosognosia is the leading reason that people with brain diseases such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder dont take the medications that could stabilize them, said Doris A. Fuller, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center.

Until policy makers and the public recognize that affected individuals are medically unable to seek care voluntarily, these people will continue to suffer, and society will continue to pay for the homelessness, arrests, incarcerations, hospitalizations, victimization and violent acts that result from non-treatment

E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., executive director of the Stanley Medical Research Institute and narrator of the video entitled Anosognosia, reports that approximately 50% of those with schizophrenia and 40% of those with bipolar experience anosognosia, a syndrome that is widely acknowledged in connection with other medical conditions.

We recognize it for Alzheimers disease, but we seem to have trouble recognizing that this is common for people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Torrey explains in the video.

The video provides a rare glimpse of what active anosognosia looks like. In it, Capitol Hill shooter [Russell Weston details his cannibalism and other delusional thinking but insists he is not mentally ill. Weston was never tried for the 1998 killings and remains hospitalized for paranoid schizophrenia.

The Treatment Advocacy Center is the only national nonprofit focused exclusively on eliminating legal and other barriers to treatment for people with the most severe mental illnesses. Among those barriers are laws and policies that pose obstacles to court-ordered treatment as a means of stabilizing individuals too ill to seek treatment before tragedies occur.







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May 7, 2012

Sunset Bay Academy Describes How Teen Bipolar Disorder Can Impact School Performance, Jobs and Relationships, and Disrupt Daily Life


San Diego, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) March 01, 2011

Recognizing the problem in teens is the first step to getting it under control.

As parents often believe that the teens mood swings are due to hormonal changes, which their bodies are facing during their adolescent period; little do we know that Bipolar Disorder (BD) has been seriously affecting adolescents and their families. Teen Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that causes extreme mood swings and often its grouped in teen mania and Teen Depression.

Teens experiencing mania often show erratic behavior, feeling overly energetic, impulsive and irritable. Depression is a mood state that is generally characterized by pessimism, sadness, inadequacy and decrease in activity or reactivity. Bipolar Disorder is an illness, although scientists have not grasped a full understanding of this illness in teens, they believe that it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Scientists have not yet found a cure, but with the right medications and proper psychotherapy it can be controlled. When someone is suffering from an undiagnosed Teen Bipolar Disorder, their families are also suffering the consequences of these intense mood swings. Episodes of rapid change between depression and mania are present, whether mild to moderate or moderate to extreme, these are moreover altered by external factors, such as stress, medications, and environmental aspects that can trigger severe out of control events. As parents we need to provide the proper therapy and environment to help our teens.

What are the most commons signs of mania and depression we need to identify in our teens?

Mania: Extreme motor activity, erratic behavior, impulsiveness, irritability, violent outbursts, inappropriate elation, inability to focus, lack of judgment, insomnia, sexual obsession, excessively rapid thought and speech, an unrealistic sense of one’s abilities, talents and skills.

Depression[i]: Sense of inadequacy, feelings of hopelessness, prolonged sadness or boredom, a feeling of emptiness, loss of interest or energy, headaches and body aches, alterations in sleeping or eating habits, excessive tiredness, pessimism, feeling anxious, discouraging, or blameworthy, suicidal thoughts and/or behavior.

Teens showing behaviors of Bipolar Disorder should seek professional aid. Therapeutic Boarding Schools offer a more monitored and safer treatment to properly assist the teens needs.

The origins of Bipolar Disorder are still unknown, so far it seems to have a genetic component, and therefore teens whose close relatives suffer from this disorder are more likely to develop this illness. Scientists are still trying to understand Teen BD. The number of teens who are affected is still uncertain, but what they do know is that about ten million Americans have BD and in most cases, symptoms were present in their late teenage years. Although, researchers believe that it may begin much younger in some individuals. Parenting teens is challenging, let alone an undiagnosed or diagnosed Bipolar Disorder teenager, often because in our home environment we lack of tools and resources to help our teens to be successful.

If your child is showing associated behavior of Bipolar Disorder, your family will get the help needed at Sunset Bay Academy while keeping your teen in a safe and secure environment.

[i] Note that many psychiatrists regard anhedonia, a general lack of interest in the pleasures of life, as a defining characteristic of depression.

About Sunset Bay Academy

A Full Service Co-ed Therapeutic Boarding School, helping troubled teens ages 12-17 appreciate their second chance at a new life with strong family values in a structured and supportive environment.

Website: http://www.sunsetbayacademy.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SunsetBayAcademy

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sbatweets

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May 5, 2012

Forest Laboratories, Inc. to Present Cariprazine and Levomilnacipran Results …

Forest Laboratories, Inc. to Present Cariprazine and Levomilnacipran Results …
Data on cariprazine, an investigational antipsychotic agent, includes additional details from a Phase III trial for acute mania in bipolar I disorder and results from an open-label extension study in schizophrenia. Separately, data on levomilnacipran, …
Read more on MarketWatch (press release)

APA Announces New Changes to Drafts of the DSM-5, Psychiatry's New “Bible”
… period (or less if successfully treated): Throughout the book, similarly organized lists of symptoms follow the names of every officially recognized mental disorder—bipolar disorder, autistic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and so on.
Read more on Scientific American (blog)

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April 29, 2012

Bipolar In Order – Bipolar In Order


Bipolar In Order – Bipolar In Order

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April 26, 2012

CME Outfitters Demonstrates Best in Class at the 37th Annual Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions Conference

Powell, OH (PRWEB) April 25, 2012

CME Outfitters (CMEO), a leading international provider for continuing medical education, is proud to announce findings of demonstrated excellence in a feedback survey among many stakeholders at the annual meeting of the Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions (ACEHP). CME Outfitters authored and produced two poster presentations for this four-day conference. These posters were displayed in the halls of the conference center, allowing conference participants to browse during session breaks.

A compelling poster presented an in-depth look at outcomes data from a recent CMEO activity and the resultant outcomes article entitled “A Simplified Model for Educational Outcomes Measurements (EOMs): Change in Serum Lipid Monitoring Rates in Patients with Bipolar Disorder.” These data demonstrated direct level five performance-based outcomes; the results rose to statistical significance regarding change in clinicians behavior for serum lipid monitoring in a population at risk for cardiometabolic syndrome. For example, the percentages of patients monitored by clinicians nationwide (in U.S.) who participated in the CME activity increased by 17.8% over 1 year from baseline (p = .00001). Gross, median monitoring rates in the national study group increased from 30% to 80%, and all clinicians at or above the 75th percentile of monitoring rates monitored 100% of their patients after participating. Monitoring rate increases for clinicians in the nationwide learner group were greater among clinicians with higher patient counts. The local study group at the Lindner Center of HOPE increased gross monitoring by 28.0% (from 27.5% to 55.5%), or a 102% increase over baseline rates. The co-sponsors, USF Health and CME Outfitters gratefully acknowledge support from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., administered by Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, and Lilly USA, LLC, for the Change in Serum Lipid Monitoring Rates in Patients with Bipolar Disorder educational research study and the foundational educational activities upon which the article was based.

CMEO displayed another poster that detailed educational effectiveness and advanced outcomes data. This poster demonstrated that the CME Outfitters 2010 Annual Chair Summit meeting had a statistically significant impact on positive patient health outcomes. The poster was entitled “Ask the Expert Meets Peer-to-Peer: Outcomes from the 3rd Annual Chair Summit Master Class for Neuroscience Professional Development. During the outcomes studies, participants were asked if they changed their clinical decision-making processes or any direct patient care as a result of participating in the 3.5-day Chair Summit conference. The responses were overwhelming, with 62% of respondents saying, Yes. USF Health and CME Outfitters also acknowledges support from AstraZeneca, Cephalon, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., administered by Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC, Lilly USA, LLC, Pfizer, Inc. and Sepracor, Inc. for the Outcomes from the 3rd Annual Chair Summit Master Class for Neuroscience Professional Development educational research study and the educational activity upon which it was based.

CMEO received an overwhelmingly positive response from the meetings attendees. Participants enjoyed the informative display and congratulated CMEO on their exceptional outcomes analyses, a core competence at the company. Joy Bartnett Leffler, CMEOs Senior Medical Program Director and Director of Educational Research & Outcomes remarked, It is exciting to share such compelling data with our colleagues in the CME community. At CMEO, we work every day to demonstrate that well-designed and thoughtfully executed educational activities can make a difference in the lives of patients. Our collaborators helped us to achieve these significant results. CMEO continues to set the pace for educational outcomes that improve clinical practiceone change at a time.

CME Outfitters was proud to be accepted as a presenter at the ACEHP this year as well. CMEO Managing Partner, Shari Tordoff, CCMEP, presented during a breakout session on day two of the conference. Ms. Tordoff worked alongside Karen Roy and Dr. Thomas Roth, from University of Michigan on an educational session detailing: Publications in CME: Disseminating the Data to Multiple Audiences. Objectives of this presentation were to allow learners to identify publications opportunities for their own CME program, implement a strategic publications plan targeting both education and medical literature, engage faculty in publications development and harness CME publications for internal CME advocacy. Positive buzz was created around this session as participants were tweeting their approval of Dr. Thomas Roth joining the live presentation via Skype. Participants were impressed not only by the content of the session, but also by the successful fluidity of the presentation with use of modern technology.

CMEOs leadership in the CME community continued to be highly visible at the annual meeting of the National Association of Medical Education Companies (NAMEC). In addition to receiving the award for Best Practices in Collaboration Among CME Stakeholders and the 2012 Brian P. Russell Exemplary CME Professional, CMEO Managing Partner, Jan Perez, CCMEP who serves as the Chair of the NAMEC Program Committee, facilitated a highly interactive session entitled Developing a Funding Strategy When Multisupport Falls Short. The town hall style discussion was very unique bringing together competitors to share ideas and brainstorm strategies related to managing funding shortfalls for multisupport grants, which is a universal challenge facing medical education companies today. We were a little hesitant about the session and concerned that no one would want to give away their secrets, but were overwhelmed by the groups willingness to share and work together to tackle one of our biggest challenges, stated Perez.

About CME Outfitters, LLC

CME Outfitters develops and distributes live, recorded, and web-based evidence-based educational activities to thousands of clinicians each year and offers expert accreditation and outcome services for non-accredited organizations. For a complete list of certified activities and more information, visit http://www.cmeoutfitters.com or call 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).

About neuroscienceCME

neuroscienceCME.com is an award-winning web portal serving clinicians, educators, and researchers in the neurosciences. Launched in October 2006, neuroscienceCME.com fills an identified gap in online resources for professionals around the world who practice in areas related to psychiatry, sleep disorders, pain, and neurology. The site’s primary mission is to be a central forum for accessing, debating, synthesizing, and implementing the latest findings and best practices in the neurosciences. Visit http://www.neuroscienceCME.com to learn more.

Improving Clinical Behavior One Change at a Time







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April 23, 2012

Sinead O'Connor Forced to Cancel Tour Due to Bipolar Disorder

Sinead O'Connor Forced to Cancel Tour Due to Bipolar Disorder
"With enormous regret I must announce that I have to cancel all touring for the year as I am very unwell due to bipolar disorder," the 45-year-old Irish singer penned on her blog. "As you all know I had a very serious breakdown between December and …
Read more on Us Magazine

Children with bipolar disorder: Maybe true, definitely troubling
The diagnosis of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (PBD) did increase that much from 1994 to 2003, and is still on the rise. There is more buzz in the media about it the past few years, and research has been (and continues being) done.
Read more on Washington Times

Bipolar Disorder & Asperger's Syndrome: Two public mental health concerns …
The voices gradually gets louder and louder until I find myself banging my head to a wall just to make them stop,” shares Christina, a professional and was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. Mental Health experts share that bipolar disorders are …
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April 21, 2012

Theatre Review: 'Next to Normal' is a moving, meaningful musical

Theatre Review: 'Next to Normal' is a moving, meaningful musical
By R. Scott Reedy, correspondent A middle-aged woman's struggle with bipolar disorder and the toll it takes on her family may seem like an unlikely subject for a musical. Now being given a splendid production by Boston's SpeakEasy Stage, …
Read more on MetroWest Daily News

From Nymphomania to Hypersexuality
… are consistent with the manic states of bipolar disorder, among many other pathologies. In fact, in those days, women run the risk of being treated for nymphomania if they bore children out of wedlock or were discovered masturbating.
Read more on Brain Blogger (blog)

First Contact: Early Intervention Key in Diagnosis and Treatment of Serious …
This is possible because mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have very similar biological profiles, so the symptoms can be the same. When warning signs appear, diagnosis is not necessary to begin early treatment that is very low …
Read more on TribLocal

Florence charity race grows from one family's tragedy
Lynn Bulloch started the Jonathan C. Smith Foundation in honor of her late son to help teens and families struggling with bipolar disorder. She said that now when she looks at photos of him, she can't get over how beautiful he is to her.
Read more on SCNow

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April 18, 2012

Student who jumped at stadium had bipolar disorder

Student who jumped at stadium had bipolar disorder
By Chad Smith Michael R. Edmonds Jr., the 26-year-old University of Florida student who jumped to his death Sunday from a stairwell at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2009 but seemed to have found balance in …
Read more on Gainesville Sun

County Aims to Stop Mental Health Stigma
Like many others, she faces stigma on a daily basis and in most areas of her life: in parenting, in finding work, in dealing with law enforcement and in seeking treatment for bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Nearly half of the adults in a national …
Read more on healthycal.org

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April 12, 2012

The Shape of Behavior Honors Autism Awareness Month by Providing Community Autism Spectrum Disorder Screenings


Houston, Texas (PRWEB) April 10, 2012

To raise awareness for the fastest growing developmental disability in the world, The Shape of Behavior clinic is providing the community with complementary Autism screenings throughout April.

The community outreach program is being hosted in honor of National Autism Awareness Month, which has been sponsored by the Autism Society since the 1970s in order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that autism now affects one in every 88 American children, and boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed with one of the five neurological Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). For every child identified with autism, there are likely three more who have some symptoms but do not meet the criteria for a formal diagnosis.

The good news is that symptoms of ASD can be eliminated, reduced or managed through intensive behavioral therapies. Provided at each of The Shapes seven locations in Texas, the autism screening test consists of a short interview and observation time with a certified behavior analyst.

Early intervention is critical, says Dr. Domonique Randall, founder of The Shape, a leading provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Texas. Our hope for Autism Awareness Month is to teach the community about evidence based treatment approaches for autism. By raising awareness, at-risk individuals will get the help they need sooner.

Dr. Randall advises parents to stay alert to any developmental changes in their children between the ages of three and six, which is when the early signs of autism begin to appear. Indicators of autism include language delay, social skill deficits, and behavioral excesses or rigidity, ritualized, repetitive behaviors, such as lining up objects or hand flapping, as well as weak social skills, such as making eye contact and forging friendships. Significant delays in reaching developmental milestones or a sudden, severe regression or loss of language at any age are also red flags that something may be wrong.

At The Shape, we deliver an evidence-based ABA treatment program that addresses the underlying causes of the behavioral disorder to promote independence and a better quality of life. ABA therapy has been recognized as the treatment of choice for autism with several hundred peer reviewed studies demonstrating its effectiveness. Dr. Randall says. The Shape has provided advanced services for more than 200 infants, toddlers, children and teens who have developmental disabilities, including Autism, Aspergers, ADD/ADHD, and Bipolar disorder.

Individuals enrolled at The Shape participate in intensive Day Treatment Therapy programs that address the unique needs of those living with autism. Compassionate ABA specialists, who have a combined work experience of more than 100 years, develop individualized strategies that address each childs specific deficits. Because autism affects the entire family, parents and siblings also participate in training sessions that help them understand why specific behaviors occur and that provide tools to help them recognize the uniqueness of a child with special needs.

For more information or to schedule an appointment for a free screening, visit The Shape of Behavior at http://www.ShapeofBehavior.com

1-866-437-2165

info(at)shapeofbehavior(dot)com





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