Inspiration Through Empathy: Peer Support

A short documentary by a student filmmaker about a peer support group in Kelowna, BC, Canada. A group of mental health consumers meets weekly, views a presentation on a topic of their choice, then breaks into smaller groups to talk about their mental health issues and building wellness. Peer support is different than other support services (not a replacement, it’s complementary to professional services) because it’s a space for people to come together with others who truly understand what it’s like to live with a mental illness, providing empathy, reassurance, and connection that can’t be found any other way.

Exercise as a Preventive or Disease-Modifying Treatment of Dementia

A neurologist reports on the newly published article “Physical Exercise as a Preventive or Disease-Modifying Treatment of Dementia and Brain Aging,” Ahlskog et al, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2011. Their meta-analysis found that exercise affects brain health in animal models, and suggest it can modify cognitive outcomes with normal aging and perhaps reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease like dementia. Physical (as opposed to mental) exercise is recommended. Although the amount and type of exercise has not been completely assessed, patients are being counseled to practice regular vigorous exercise. DOI: 10.4016/33263.01.

Introduction to Peer-Run Crisis Respites

Two peer advocates describe the process they underwent to get peer-run crisis respite centers supported by funders in Massachusetts. A detailed and practical discussion about building community among stakeholders, elements of presentations, incorporating evidence and values, communicating a message, creating buzz, and how to present proposals to politicians. Peer-run respites (small comfortable settings for short-term psychiatric crisis peer support care, as an alternative to acute care hospitals) are growing in popularity but many people are still not sure what they are or why they have value. This very helpful video is accompanied by lots of information, research, and presentations to aid people in learning about and starting up respite centers where they live. See also: a 5 minute tour of a peer crisis respite center in New York.

Jeff Matovic

A person with severe tics from Tourette’s Syndrome receives a DBS implant and has dramatic, near-immediate relief of symptoms. Matovic was the first US patient to receive a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device for Tourette’s, in 2008. It’s an established practice for Parkinson’s, and is now being tried in other disorders.

BPD Expert Dr. Marsha Linehan at the National Institute of Mental Health

The pioneer of Dialectic Behavioural Therapy, a variation of CBT designed for suicidal people with Borderline Personality Disorder (now being applied to other mental health issues), talks about her research and challenges with treating BPD patients. Includes full transcript. See also: Learning From Suicide, another excellent lecture by Linehan on the ethics of research on suicidal people.

Horses are used for Therapy

Rescued/retired show horses live on a ranch “rescuing” people with mental health issues through equine assisted psychotherapy and equine assisted learning, at Horse Sense of the Carolinas. For more information about equine therapy, check out PsychCentral’s new blog Equine Therapy: Straight from the Horse’s Mouth.

Brain Development & Addiction with Gabor Mate

A Vancouver, BC doctor specializing in treating chronic substance use disorders talks about the early childhood neurodevelopment and environmental conditions that lead to addictions. He suggests a compassionate approach to healing that takes social and other factors into consideration. DVD is available for purchase.

Controversies Surrounding the Pediatric Bipolar Diagnosis & Treatment (Bioethics Briefs)

A research scholar at a bioethics center describes issues and controversies with children diagnosed with bipolar disorders or a newer diagnosis proposed for the DSM-V, temper dysregulation disorder with dysphoria (TDD), which would reclassify those who may have been given a bipolar label. Discusses some issues involved with changing diagnoses, and with the lack of effective treatments for either. Excellent, very informative commentary examining pros and cons.

Elyn Saks, Eric Kandel, and Kay Jamison Discuss the Importance of Psychodynamic Therapy

Clip from a panel discussion at the FPR-UCLA 2010 (Cultural and Biological Contexts of Psychiatric Disorder – Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment) conference hosted by the Foundation for Psychocultural Research. Experts who also live with mental health issues speak about their experience that the combination of therapy with meds is most effective.

Alzheimer’s Disease Care and Treatment: A New Paradigm

John Zeisel, author of I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy Of Alzheimer’s Care, explains how gardening, sunlight and art therapy benefit people with dementia living in a long-term care facility.