We have yet another study finding that the number of adults taking anti-depressants, anti-psychotics and Alzheimer’s drugs is rising. Pardon my sarcasm, but DUH!

This one was recently reported in the journal Health Affairs. This study found a 73 percent increase in the use of these drugs between 1996 and 2006. Experts said it shows that more doctors have become familiar with the drugs and are more comfortable prescribing them. Well, I don’t know about that. But I do know this: Critics argue that the numbers prove that Americans are overmedicated.

Undoubtedly, some are. What we don’t hear is that this decade saw the introduction of some of the most successful drugs for treating mental illness and Alzheimer’s: Lexapro 2002; Wellbutrin XL 2002; Lamictal for bipolar 2003; Celexa goes generic 2003; Cymbalta 2004; Aricept and Exelon for Alzheimer’s 2006.

No one mentions the hit-or-miss factor: Because no one knows how these drugs work, it can take months of trying different drug combinations before a doctor finds the right one or the right dose. How many of us have half empty prescription bill bottles for drugs that did not work?

And what about the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 which greatly expanded prescription drug coverage for the elderly? Could that account for some of the increase?

Obviously I am biased. I have been on antidepressants and a mood stabilizer since 2006. They not only saved my life, they made it much, much better. We often hear horror stories about overmedicated kids and zombie grandmothers. But we rarely hear the success stories because there is so much stigma about using these drugs.

I am not going to use these numbers to say we are overmedicated. I am not going to use these numbers to prove anything. Numbers always look impressive. But they can be twisted like a strand of DNA. They are just numbers. Period.

Wait! News flash! I see another story in the paper this morning about a study that says that antidepressant use among young people has fallen – since the drugs began carrying a “black box” warning. The study also found a DECREASE in the number of depression diagnosis! Holy cow! …

I am in awe of Dr. Helen Mayberg. Actually, I am in awe of anyone who can drill holes in someone’s head, insert some wires and bring that person out of the most hopeless depression.

It is called Deep Brain Stimulation and, yes, the “stimulation” part involves electricity. But DO NOT think of this as the old-fashioned kind of shock therapy. It is far from that. Mayberg, a professor of psychiatry and neurology at Emory University, along with her colleagues found a small region, deep in the brain, called Area 25. This region of the brain sits inside the anterior cingulate cortex (I have no idea where that is but for I am mentioning it for those really smart readers). 

The neural circuits in this area are very, very busy in people with depression. This is the area heavily involved in cortisol production, sleep, and serotonin and emotion regulation in the brain. It’s the place where get our motivation and drive. DBS has worked wonders for people with Parkinson’s. Mayberg figured why not try it for people who have tried everything but nothing has given them relief – not even what is commonly referred to as “shock therapy.” As Mayberg describes is, electroconvulsive therapy re-boots the brain, DBS just tinkers with it.

The procedure is as freaky as the effect. You drill two holes in a person’s head WHILE THEY ARE AWAKE!. With the help of an MRI, Mayberg guides two wires into Area 25. She must find the exact position or the treatment will not work. A little battery pack, which lasts up to four years, is implanted under the skin near the patient’s chest.

During her first attempt at this procedure in 2002, she slowly turned up the current to four volts. Within seconds the patient said, “Did you do something? I feel a sudden sense of calmness.” Not all her patients responded this way, but many did. Can you imagine being in an operating room and a patient who has been told there is nothing more they can do, that their case is hopeless, suddenly says they feel better? 

The amazing thing about Mayberg, besides the procedure, …

For four months every year – December through April – Palm Beach becomes ground zero for charity fundraising in the United States. Groups from all over the world descend on the island with hands open and pricey galas. We’re talking tiaras and couture gowns. Caviar and truffles. Private performances by members of Cirque du Soleil, Sheryl Crowe and James Taylor. Ticket prices: $500 plus. Venues: Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago and the historic Breakers Hotel.

Say what you want. It seems kind of weird when we are a frog’s hair from double-digit unemployment and Wall Street Armageddon. But if that’s what it takes to raise millions for mental health research – perennially at the bottom of the government-funded research food chain – so be it. 

During the last two weeks the big mental health groups came to town and brought with them a few celebs and the world’s top scientists. I get invited and I am honored to attend. It means so much to me to be out in public among people who do not doubt that depression is real. I love being able to talk about my illnesses without someone getting embarrassed or changing the subject.

I love listening to the scientists – even if I don’t understand what they are saying – and studying the brain scans they display on big screens. “Healthy brain on the right, depressed brain on the left.”  ”Healthy brain on the right, bipolar brain on the left.” “Healthy brain on the right, addict brain on the left.” I just want to shout – “See! It’s real! I’m not making this us! I am sick! Depression is real! Bi-polar is real! Alcoholism is real!” Except everyone in the ballroom knows that. It’s the folks outside that don’t know. 

I thought about writing just one blog about all these events. But there is too much – so much I want to say about each one, the speakers, the venues and the celebs. So, over the next few days I am going to share with you my experiences here in Palm Beach with the smartest, richest and most understanding people in mental health research and treatment. 

Have a great day …