Treatment

Admitting You Need Help

What now?

Knowledge is Necessity. Knowing the fine points of meds and other treatments is vitally important in our recovery. What is more important is applying this knowledge in service of a successful treatment/recovery strategy. Your psychiatrist and other clinicians are the experts, but ultimately you are in charge.

The articles here are intended to help you make your own decisions, in partmership with your treating clinicians, but to get the most out of this section you need to be reading the articles in the Recovery section, as well. Also, it pays to be mindful of the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry and their inflated claims - those articles can be found in the Issues section.

Note that this section includes natural supplements and various "alternative" treatments. For the purposes of this Website, there is no distinction between mainstream medical and alternative treatments - in the medicine cabinet all pills look the same.

Knowledge is Necessity

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Antidepressants - An Introduction

There is no magic bullet.

When Your Second Antidepressant Fails

It may be time to rethink your options.

Bipolar Meds - An Introduction

How a common salt and other agents changed our lives.

Treating Bipolar Depression

We're depressed way more than we are manic. Now if psychiatry only knew how to treat us.

Treating Hypomania

Are psychiatrists overshooting their targets?

Cognitive Therapy

Can you actually THINK your way out of depression and mania?

Electroconvulsive Therapy - ECT

The treatment formerly known as shock therapy is making a comeback.

Natural Supplements

New studies are lending credence to manufacturers' claims, but it's still the wild west out there.

Good brain food?

"I think their tendency is to over-react, react as if it is the same as mania." - John Gartner PhD

Treating Hypomania

You and Your Antidepressant
Success may require being smarter than your doctor

When Your First Antidepressant Fails
Thinking of quitting? Think again.

Antidepressants for the Long Haul
Get used to your antidepressant. You may be taking it for some time.

The Mood Stablizers
The fine points.

Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are a first option, but is this what we want?

Long Haul Bipolar Treatment
Everything we know, which isn't much.

Depression Treatment FAQ
The deinitive cheat sheet

Bipolar Treatment FAQ
Another definitive cheat sheet.

Meds and Pregnancy
If you're a female or know someone who is, you need to be reading this.

What You Need to Know About Drug Metabolism
The difference between success or failure may be your liver.

Treating Substance Use
We're at 30,000 feet flying around in circles.

The Talking Therapy Turbocharge

Meds plus talking therapy may be more powerful than either alone.

Talking Therapy - The Evidence

We know it works. Now we are starting to learn when and why.

Long Term Talking Therapy
What is more likely for Tony Soprano?

Tickling the Brain
VNS, rTMS, and DBS.

SAM-e and St John's Wort
Too good to be true?

Acupuncture
Good for depression?

My Book

“The perfect book for those of us living with mood disorders.”

Sue Bergeson, president DBSA

Stay Informed: McMan's Report

Your Wisdom and Insight Matters.

Common Issues, Practical Solutions