Finding Care For Depression, Mental Episodes and Brain Disorders READER COMMENTS “Most health books can be divided into two major types: 1. Where the writer is a victim of one or more illnesses and describes in detail what happened, both negative and positive. 2. When the author is a physician or healer who describes one or more different types of therapy. A few books fit into a third category: determined patients who keep searching until they find quality care and learn how to become therapists for their own conditions. In the field of orthomolecular therapy, there have been several books of this third type, but more are appearing. This is the type of book written by Mr. Sealey. He describes his chronic depression, the failure of standard psychiatric treatment to provide him with restorative care, and how he recovered after he undertook a major responsibility to heal himself. He became a serious student of the literature of mood disorders, starting with psychiatry and psychology. Eventually, he read about orthomolecular medicine, and worked hard to apply its principles and practices to his own condition. He is now well. After decades of problems, he van- quished his depression and began to rebuild his life. I ask readers to consider his account seriously because [the author’s] illness might have left the patient forever incapacitated and a charge on his family and community. His anecdote repre- sents only one of thousands of stories about similar patients who recovered using orthomolecular treatment. The evidence has been published in many clinical accounts, standard and comple- mentary journals and many books. The evidence is there. It needs only to be studied and applied. Sealey developed a practical guide for patients, family and caregivers. I think that this book could be a model for anyone who is ill, especially for people who cannot find quality care or orthomolecular therapy. I recommend this book, even to medical students and psychiatrists in training.” Dr. Abram Hoffer Victoria, BC, Canada “Antidepressants and mood stabilizers only clouded Bob Sealey’s brain or gave him the type of nervous energy that made him want to jump out of his skin. Then there were the side effects. One professionally negligent psychiatrist did nothing as Bob’s condition deteriorated on the drug he prescribed. When Bob filed a complaint, the professional governing body refused to act (when have you ever heard of a psychiatrist being disci- plined for misconduct or incompetence?). Talk therapies proved similarly disappointing. After 20 years of struggling with bipolar II, Bob decided to take a different approach. He researched natural therapies, and through trial and error under the guidance of doc- tor [authors] he restored his mental health using a combination of low-cost plan extracts and a regimen of nutrients and minerals. Bob describes his journey to recovery … it eventually dawned on him that there were four options for diagnosis and treatment, three of them not good. Even psychiatry at its best [too often] relies on labels rather than a true diagnosis and pills and talk therapies instead of real treatment. A restorative approach, by contrast, is based on accurate diagnosis of the root causes of the illness and corresponding treatment to recover normal health without adverse side effects. This means that if you have say a vitamin B6 deficiency, you will be treated with vitamin B6. A chapter written by Dr. Abram Hoffer, the father of orthomolecular medicine, describes how he and a colleague first got started by successfully treating a schizophrenic patient with vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin C. A subsequent small double-blind study found the two-year recovery rate for first-time mentally ill [schizophrenic] patients using the vitamins was 75 percent. All this whets one’s appetite for more [information about] natural supplements and how they work on the brain – but the book is content to provide a lengthy list of references … it’s as if the author knows you’re cheating yourself if you try to get all your information out of one book. With precious few doctors out there committed to restorative medicine, the onus is on us to learn everything we can, from as many references as we can get our hands on. One day, perhaps, we can place our trust in the hands of a new generation of practitioners. Hopefully, the wait won’t be long.” John McManamy McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Weekly, CT, US “Your book is a beacon to those searching for an accurate diag- nosis and appropriate care … I applaud you for having the courage to bare your soul as you took the reader through the “roller coaster years” …” PB, RN, Toronto, ON “Congratulations on a job well done!” DG, BSc, Welland, ON “The book is well written and easy to follow and under- stand, not technical … It gives a good outline of what one can go through when suffering from depression, of how one can feel. One could do a self analysis by using the book. It also details the problems encountered in finding good care and [explains] how to assess the care given. Plenty of reference books are [listed] … to further increase knowledge of the ill- ness and its ramifications … very helpful reading for people with depression.” LS, PEng, Niagara Peninsula, ON “Your book is disturbing and reassuring at the same time. It is extremely informative to the person who hasn’t gone through what the rest of us have … 10 years of hit and miss treatment. I am a professional therapist [bipolar II] and so experienced far less damage than the average person and was far more fortunate than most in finding an excellent psychiatrist. However, I am interested in the alternative treatment of bipolar II disorder with vitamins and supplements specifically … You should be proud of your work, as it is so informative, a person can avoid all the pit- falls of bad and insufficient treatment no matter how shy you are about taking [the responsibility for finding effective] treatment into your own hands! Thank you!” DG, Therapist, NY, US Review – Reference Copies Were Submitted to • Mood Disorders Assoc. of Ontario • National Depression and Manic Depression Assoc., Chicago, US • Canadian Naturopathic College • Canadian Schizophrenia Foundation • Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine • Learning Disabilities Assoc. of Ontario • McMan’s Depression and Bipolar Weekly, CT, US • MindFreedom Journal (formerly Dendron News), OR, US • Nutrition and Mental Health, Toronto, ON • Open Minds Quarterly, Sudbury, ON • Psychiatrists, physicians and other health professionals Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto private practitioners, Toronto, ON and BC, US Sick Children’s Hospital, Toronto Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Centre, North York • Schizophrenia Digest, Ft. Erie, ON • Toronto public library • University of Toronto • Vitality, Toronto, ON • www.mentalhealthrecovery.com • www.alternativementalhealth.com Presented Canadian Authors Association, Toronto branch Word on the Street, Toronto, Sept. 2001 Canada’s National Book and Magazine Fair Canadian MoneySaver magazine conferences Burlington and North York, Oct. 2001 The book is available to mental health organizations. Contact SEAR Publications about possibilities for • fund-raising: ongoing efforts and events, presentations • educating consumers, survivors, callers and families • supporting members, patients and readers • attracting new members, donors and subscribers • resale by health professionals, publications and web sites Finding Care For Depression, Mental Episodes and Brain Disorders A Layman’s Guide by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA With a Chapter by Dr. Abram Hoffer How Orthomolecular Medicine Can Help Copyright © Robert Sealey, 2001 All rights reserved Notice to Readers The authors and publisher do not advocate the use of any particular health program but believe patients and families, caregivers and health professionals can use the information in this book to find quality care. Restorative mental healthcare can help people with depression, mental episodes and brain disorders. This book is based on the personal and clinical experiences, education, train- ing, reading and research of the authors. To the best of the authors’knowledge, the information is true and complete. To protect privacy, names in the teaching tales were either changed or omitted. This book is intended only as an educational guide for people who want to find care for mental health problems. It is not intended to replace, countermand or interfere with the advice given by physicians or other health professionals. Since each person and each situation is unique, the authors and publisher encourage people with depression, mental episodes or brain disorders to consult with qualified health professionals and think about their options for effective care. Readers are encouraged to focus on accurate diagnosis and effective treatments. As there is always some risk involved, the authors and publisher are not responsible for any problems, negatives, downsides or consequences resulting from any use of the information, tips, traps, tools, tales, poems, reviews or references in this book. ISBN 0-9686127-4-1 paperback 1. Depression 2. Mental illness 3. Mental health care 4. Orthomolecular medicine II. Title Cover Design, Interior Design, and Page Layout by Keith Boa Printed and bound in Canada First printing: August 2001 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Published by SEAR Publications 291 Princess Ave. North York, ON, Canada M2N 3S3 Internet web site: www.searpubl.ca Contents Dedication vi Acknowledgements vii Preface ix How to Use This Book x Introduction xi How Orthomolecular Medicine Can Help by Dr. Abram Hoffer xvii Part 1: The Trusting Patient 1 Chapter 1: After Years of Symptoms – Is It a Mental Disorder? 2 Chapter 2: Bob, a Depressed Patient, Trusted Dr. T.T. ShorCu 12 The Paradoxical Case of the Expert Psychiatrist 22 The Patient’s Medical File: Notes and Omissions 17 Chapter 3: Independent Depression Project 23 Chapter 4: Finding Care for Refractory Depression 26 Learning About and Following the Practice Guidelines of Psychiatry The Mental Status Examination Worksheet 32 Ten Steps for Effective Mental Healthcare Worksheet 34 Chapter 5: A Patient Can Find Quality Care 44 Part 2: Exploring the Mental Healthcare Maze 47 Chapter 6: Introduction – Exploring the Mental Healthcare Maze 48 Chapter 7: Charting the Healthcare System 51 Health System in Ontario, Canada 54 Chapter 8: Mapping the Maze of Depression Diagnoses and Treatments 56 Mental Healthcare Reality Check 59 The Maze of Depression Diagnoses and Treatments 60 Chapter 9: Investigating a Case of Care Gone Bad 62 FINDING CARE FOR DEPRESSION iii Chapter 10: Blowing the Whistle on Substandard Psychiatry 67 Thirteen Standard of Care Procedures Were Omitted 69 Chapter 11: Suggestions for Mental Patients and Caregivers 76 Chapter 12: The Psychology of Whistle-Blowing 78 Chapter 13: Risk Management with Suicidal Patients – Review 80 Negligence Checklists 83 Chapter 14: Psychiatric Survivors: Human Rights or a Reality of Wrongs? 86 Chapter 15: After Reviewing the System: Assessing the Mental Health Professional 89 Health Professional Assessment and Rating Forms 94 Chapter 16: Hard Lessons Learned Well 98 My Experience of Ontario’s Mental Health System 102 Twists and Turns Around and Through the Mental Healthcare Maze 101 Part 3: Tools for Finding Care 105 Chapter 17: Introduction – Tools for Finding Care 106 Chapter 18: Developing a Mental Healthcare Compass 107 Mental Healthcare Compass 113 Illustrations by Charles Sucsan 114 Chapter 19: Using the Mental Healthcare Compass to Find Care for Depression 116 Chapter 20: Twelve Steps for Coping with a Mood Disorder 127 Chapter 21: TAYO – The Healthcare Planner 129 Think About Your Options Introduction and How to Use the Planner 130 TAYO – Planning Diagrams 136 Chapter 22: Finding Advice about Money Matters 138 Helping a Retired Client and his Family Cope with Depression 143 Chapter 23: Conclusion – Tools for Finding Care 144 iv FINDING CARE FOR DEPRESSION Part 4: References for Restoring Mental Health 147 Chapter 24: Introduction – References for Restoring Mental Health 148 Chapter 25: References, Snapshot Reviews, Notes and Quotes 154 Reviews Active Treatment of Depression 162 Antidepressant Survival Program 155 Anxiety and Depression – The Best Resources to Help You Cope 157 Dealing with Depression Naturally 171 Handbook of Psychotropic Herbs 177 The Last Taboo 184 The Noonday Demon 190 Prozac Backlash 196 Worry 211 Chapter 26: Quick Pick Reference Lists for Common Conditions 214 Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) 214 Autism 214 Depression and Bipolar Disorder 215 Dyslexia 217 Epilepsy 217 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 218 Schizophrenia 218 Suicide 218 Chapter 27: Musings on the Curious Capabilities of the Disordered Brain 219 Chapter 28: Conclusion – Finding Care for Depression 223 Index 225 About the Authors 229 By the Authors 230 Appendix: 90 Day Plan For Finding Quality Care 233 Sear Publications Order Form 255 FINDING CARE FOR DEPRESSION v Dedication A65-year-old chap called while I was writing this book. He was depressed. He had been depressed for many years. He remembered being well for one year after he consulted with an orthomolecular physi- cian in Syracuse, NY. He was tested, diagnosed and advised. As instructed by the doctor, when the chap took his daily regimen of supplements: vita- mins, minerals, amino acids and co-factors, his depression soon lifted. He remained well for the year he used restorative medicine. After stopping his regimen, he relapsed. Local doctors put him on prescription medications. During several interviews, he shared his treatments – prescription medica- tions: barbiturates, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. He had 20 shock treatments. His depression resisted and he despaired about getting well. Sadly, he lost hope. He died in 1999, a suicide. A good friend ended her life at the age of 30, before she could try restorative care for her chronic degenerative condition. She also lost hope. A family friend ended her life at the age of 18. So young, so fun, and now she’s gone. Now that we know, you’re far away. We can remember you today. vi FINDING CARE FOR DEPRESSION