Richard Lemus interviewed the atrocious Psychiatrist, Dr. Scott Segal the owner of the Segal Institute for Clinical Research and has said:

Dr. Scott Segal, Psychiatrist, Segal Institute for Clinical Research: “It’s definitely making adults depressed, and therefore the children depressed, as well. However, they have less money to spend on treatments, and these days insurance companies have higher co-payments and it’s very difficult for people to come in.”

Even scarier, it’s hard for patients or their families to pay for the medications they so desperately need.

Dr. Scott Segal: “They get their visits and their evaluations and whatever is needed in the study for free, as well as medications. In fact, in research studies, the treatment is above the normal level of care.”

Patients will often try out new drugs that aren’t on the market yet and many times they can stay on that medication after the study is over.

Dr. Scott Segal: “In many studies, after the study is over, the pharmaceutical company will give them a compassionate care and allow them take the medications for a period of time.”

David is on a new medication and sees a doctor weekly. He and his mom have high hopes for the future.

What Richard Lemus and the Channel 7 News Fox WSVN-TV fail to revel to the public is that theirs other ways to defeat depression without the usage of the dangerous drugs. It’s called proper diet, exercise and proper outdoor activities like going to the beach or going to a park. In the whole segment of the story reported by Richard Lemus nowhere did it mention natural ways to deal with depression.

Transcript from this story can be seen on: URL: http://www.wsvn.com/features/articles/medicalreports/MI131332

a

Everyone will be hurting in the economic meltdown – that is, except mental health professionals.

They at least probably don’t have to worry about not having enough work.

Mental health experts worldwide are warning of a potential crisis, with financial insecurity fueling an increase in problems ranging from anxiety to lost self-esteem.

Months before the United States government started mulling corporate bailouts, the World Health Organization had issued a call for improved services to deal with a rise in mental health problems, linking a rise in suicides and the financial meltdowns.

“We should not be surprised or underestimate the turbulence and likely consequences of the current financial crisis,” WHO’s director-general, Margaret Chan, told a meeting of mental health experts in Geneva. “As it is, we are seeing a huge gap in taking care of people in great need.

“It should not come as a surprise that we continue to see more stresses, suicides and mental disorders.”

As the recession sets in and unemployment figures rise, health experts are bracing for a spike in a demand for services. Some are also predicting a rise in theft, drug use, alcohol, and even violence.

An American study has suggested that each percentage point rise in unemployment produces a seven-per-cent rise in non-psychotic mental health disorders.

Last week, high-profile German billionaire Adolf Merckle killed himself when his business empire collapsed.

Closer to home, a jobless, bankrupt and depressed Quebec couple forged a New Year’s Day resolution to end their financial problems. Their gruesome murder- suicide pact led to the death of their children – Joelle, 12, Marc-Ange, 7, and Louis-Philippe, 4. There funeral was on Saturday in Saguenay, Que.

Cathie Gauthier-Lachance, 36, who is recovering from self-inflicted knife wounds, was charged with triple infanticide, and helping her husband, Marc Laliberte, 46, to commit suicide.

Experts are quick to point out that at a rate of about 20 completed acts per 100,000 people, suicides are relatively rare events.

Michel Presseault, co-ordinator of Suicide Action Montreal, said history suggests the current meltdown will not affect the suicide rate.

“There were dramatic suicides in the Great Depression, but no increase in numbers,” Presseault said.

The Quebec couple’s murder-suicide was no ordinary depression, noted Montreal psychiatrist James Farquhar.

“It might have been that they were psychotic, thinking there was no way out, the world is going to end, ‘and I don’t want my children to live in this world. ‘ Survivors (of murder-suicides) tell us that’s what they were thinking,” Farquhar said.

A long series of troubles – mental illness, substance abuse, unemployment, failed romances – can cause money woes to be the last straw, said Beverly Beuermann-King of Toronto, a stress expert who runs the company Work Smart Live Smart. Her workshops are filled with people worried about their finances, including how to make ends meet or afford to send their kids to school.

The basic need to survive can put some people over the edge, she said. People complain of sleeplessness, eating or digestion disturbances, physical aches and concentration problems.

“It’s impacting their health … in severe cases we see them contemplating suicide.”

Some Montreal psychiatric clinics handled more anxiety disorders after the recent closing of a local factory, said the Douglas Mental Health University Institute’s Hani Iskandar, medical chief of emergency psychiatric intensive care unit.

“For sure it’s going to increase. We expect that we will see an increase in depression, anxiety and stress,” Iskandar said, recalling two unrelated layoffs just before Christmas.

Their wives brought them into psychiatric ER, anxious about “what they would do,” Iskandar said. “We’re seeing the severe cases; the others we don’t see.”

The Canadian Mental Health Association will be addressing the issue at its March conference in Vancouver titled, Bottom Line 2009. The subject: “What happens when work, family and mental illness collide, particularly in uncertain economic times?”

A crisis coupled with other woes can exacerbate an existing condition or overpower a person’s ability to cope, said psychiatrist Mimi Israel, head of psychiatry at Douglas Mental Health.

“People who are fragile for whatever reason – genetics, previous experiences – are more likely to fall prey to mental illness,” Israel said.

But not everyone breaks. It’s not one size fits all, Israel said. “Some curl up in bed, others decide to fight.”

Protective factors include family support, friends, belonging to a community, having spiritual or religious values, and a built-in optimism, she said.

“Crisis can represent threat, but it’s also an opportunity for change, for new directions, new solutions. And maybe you’ll end up in a better place,” Israel said.

Seek help, she added. “It’s difficult to see a solution when you are feeling hopeless and depressed.”

URL: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Economic+crisis+takes+toll+mental+health/1165722/story.html

a

Right after its number one pill, the Purple Performer Nexium?

Can anyone say disease mongering?

For years, AstraZeneca has tried to convince depressed people they are really bipolar and need to take the atypical antipsychotic Seroquel (quetiapine fumarate) which is only approved for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

“Is It Really Depression or Could It Be Bipolar Disorder?”  trumpet the ads, urging unaware victims to take a Symptom Quiz and find out how sick they really are.

Full color spreads run in general interest magazines showing a rampaging woman her mouth contorted – think female Dark Knight – asking readers is this you?

“Are there periods of time when you have racing thoughts? Fly off the handle at little things? Spend out of control? Need less sleep? Feel irritable? You may need treatment for bipolar disorder.”

Now the FDA says AstraZeneca can not – repeat not – market Seroquel for depression.

In December the FDA denied approval of Seroquel for major depressive disorder and asked the company instead for more information in a complete response letter (CRL).

Oops.

Of course to be AstraZeneca’s number two pill, Seroquel must be used by more than the nation’s schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients who number only 8 million.

Almost half of Seroquel’s 2006 sales were for off label uses says Bloomberg news including depression, autism and hyperactivity in adolescents and dementia, insomnia and Alzheimer’s disease in the elderly.

Which wouldn’t be so bad if Seroquel were safe.

But AstraZeneca faces nine thousand lawsuits – 15,026 plaintiffs – alleging the company failed to adequately warn patients about Seroquel side effects like severe weight gain, diabetes and pancreatitis.

Even as AstraZeneca vowed to defend the suits on their merits and not capitulate like Lilly with its $1.48 billion settlement with 32 states over similar drug Zyprexa this year, more bad ink spilled.

Documents surfaced in December that showed AstraZeneca knew as far back as 2000 about Seroquel’s dangerous side effects at a pretrial hearing in a Tampa, Florida federal court for an upcoming Seroquel trial.

There was “reasonable evidence to suggest Seroquel therapy can cause” diabetes and related conditions documents show Wayne Geller, AstraZeneca’s Global Safety Officer wrote after analyzing available studies and internal trials says Bloomberg news.

Created in 1988 and approved for schizophrenia in 1997, Seroquel had an “efficient” journey from R&D to sales.

But in 2005 an article in the New England Journal of Medicine found Seroquel and other atypical antipsychotics except one had no advantage over the older antipsychotics like Haldol and Thorazine. Including the reduction in rigidity and tremors which was sold as their advantage over the old drugs!

The same year, an article in the British Medical Journal found Seroquel and a similar atypical antipsychotic were ineffective in reducing agitation among Alzheimer’s patients and actually made cognitive functioning worse.

And in AstraZeneca’s own clinical trials, 2.4 percent of people who began treatment with normal blood sugar became technically diabetic after 52 weeks on Seroquel plaintiff lawyer Paul Pennock testified at the Tampa pretrial hearing – almost a 70 percent increase over those not taking the drug.

Nor can AstraZeneca claim it has marketed Seroquel legally and for approved uses only.

On Thursday, January 3, 2008, an AstraZeneca sales rep “made an unsolicited sales call to a physician at his office” and “stated that Seroquel was approved for treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD),” charges a letter sent to James L. Gaskil, Pharm.D., Director of AstraZeneca’s Promotional Regulatory Affairs from FDA Regulatory Review Officer Amy Toscano, Pharm.D. in December.

When the physician asked for written information, the rep sent a mailing with “information about Seroquel and Seroquel XR’s use for MDD, and included summaries of eight clinical trials with referenced citations. This mailing was not the result of an unsolicited request by the physician, but rather was prompted by the sales representative’s statements,” charges the FDA.

AstraZeneca reps were even coached to sell product using the Winnie the Pooh figures Tigger – bipolar! – and Eeyore – depressed! – reports the pharma site Pharmalot.

The characterizations could come in handy.

In December AstraZeneca sought approval from the FDA for its ulcer drug Nexium for the “overlooked GERD population” of “patients ages 0 to 1 year old.”

Yes, infants!

“While some reflux and regurgitation are normal in infants and may not require medical treatment,” says Marta Illueca, MD, AstraZeneca’s Nexium Brand Medical Director, “Close medical supervision is key in the appropriate diagnosis and choice of treatment for these infants.”

They may have bipolar disorder too.

Martha Rosenberg is a columnist and cartoonist, who writes about public health

To comment on this story, email to comment@newsblaze.com

a

Fish oil is commonly known as Omega-3. It contains EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid and DHA or docosahexaenoic acid. The key stabilizing element in fish oil is EPA. Taking fish oil in supplement form may be healthier than consuming it through fish because all of the toxins of a fish are taken away when the fish oil liquid or capsules are created. Many people don´t eat enough fish or like it so supplementation is preferred.

If you decide to take a daily supplement of fish oil capsules or tablets then you should know how much is okay to take. Just like any other vitamin, if you take too much of it then you won´t receive a benefit from the supplement but it could cause problems. It is recommended that people take 1.5 to 3.5 grams of Omega-3 daily. You should take it with food also. Higher amounts of fish oil have shown to cause oxidative stress. Some doctors also recommend taking vitamin C and E along with Omega-3 to balance the benefits.

Through extensive research and studies, fish oil may be used to treat people suffering from disorders like bipolar, depression, diabetes, allergies, macular degeneration, and as a mood stabilizer. Omega-3 has may even help to have dramatic results for people suffering from severe depression.

In countries along coastlines where fish is primarily consumed it is proven they have lower rates of depression than places who don´t consume much fish at all. People suffering from disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar have also benefited from taking Omega-3 to help stabilize their moods and normalize them.

The primary reason the fish oil works so well with stabilizing the mood is because it is a fatty acid that the brain needs. The brain is primarily made up of fats and it needs the fatty acids to properly function. When the brain doesn´t have the appropriate fatty acids and vitamins it needs then things like depression and disorders occur in the brain. Omega-3 may help the brain function properly because it is believed it provides a stabilizing effect.

Fish oil through vitamins or eating plenty of fish and seafood is healthy for you. These supplements help create a stable mood and uplift your attitude and the way that you feel. People suffering from depression and other mood disorders may benefit from taking a daily dosage of fish oil. However, everyone should be sure they have the appropriate amount of fatty acids for normalizing the brain function.

Fish consumption and supplementation had become popular in recent years because of the research and even doctors recommending it.

Another positive benefit that may result in consuming omega 3´s is on ADHD/ADD to assist in concentration. It has been said that kids and adults suffering from this disorder may have less essential fatty acids than normal.

It is advised to always to work with your doctor about the appropriate medicine or alternative approach.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit omega 3 fish oil supplements for more information.

URL: http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/63631

a

Peter Edwards Staff Reporter | Thestar.com
URL: http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/422309
Thornhill gynecologist Dr. Joseph Roncaioli may try to kill himself if he is sent to prison for poisoning his wife, court heard.

Theirs a saying that If you can’t do the time, DON’T do the crime! It’s simple that even a child in kindergarten would know this. This guy who’s supposedly have an outstanding education would know this by now. I guess he skipped class that day when his teacher was discussing about capital crimes.

“Dr. Roncaioli has made a previous suicide attempt,” Dr. Kenneth Balderson told a Newmarket court presentencing hearing yesterday.

Trying to escape justice huh?

Roncaioli was found guilty of manslaughter in February for poisoning his wife, Ibi, in their Thornhill mansion on July 20, 2003.

Why wasn’t it murder in the first degree? A doctor should know that by poisoning someone would lead to a possible death.

Balderson, Roncaioli’s psychiatrist, said the previous suicide attempt happened after Ibi’s death.

Yeah because he knows hes in serious trouble and want to take the easy way out and escape the wrath of our justice system.

Roncaioli, 72, suffers from depression, which is aggravated by his loss of employment, social status, his family home and his long-time spouse, the psychiatrist said.

“All of these things increase his suicide risk,” the psychiatrist said.

Was he severely depressed to the point of having homicidal intentions? What’s his excuses of taking someones life away?

Crown attorney Martin Dionne questioned the psychiatrist’s statement that widows and widowers often suffer from depression.

When a husband or wife loses a spouse they will indeed suffer from depression, it’s called bereavement and it’s normal human reaction. I don’t believe for a second that a spouse who murdered their partner would suffer depression, only if he/she knows that they’re going to be facing justice.

“Isn’t that meant for people who aren’t the agent of their own widowing?” Dionne asked.

“It refers to people who miss their spouse,” Balderson said, adding Roncaioli takes four types of medication for depression and insomnia.

Geeze we wonder why this guy wants to take his own life? because not only he doesn’t want to go to prison but this psychiatrist who’s supposedly treating him is giving him Anti-depressants, which are known for increase suicidal intentions! Maybe we should lay off of the Anti-depressants eh? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to prescribe someone anti-depressants (known for suicidal thoughts) who are severely depressed to the point of thinking about suicide.

Defence lawyer J. David Hobson presented three doctor colleagues who spoke glowingly of Roncaioli’s professionalism and character.

Sentencing is set for May 27.

a