BC Schizophrenia Society Newsletter:
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After Her Brain Broke
by Susan Inman
Psychiatrist and author E. Fuller Torrey describes Susan Inman's book as "a model for families." Dr. Daniel Kalla says "a must-read for families coping with mental illness and an eyeopener for those of us lucky enough not to have been affected."
After a two-year psychotic episode, Susan Inman's daughter had a grim prognosis. Some psychiatrists predicted she would have to be institutionalized for life.
Fortunately, Susan's ability to take unpaid leaves of absence and teach part time enabled her to assume responsibility for her daughter's recovery. Eventually, a new medication strategy freed her daughter, Molly, from a psychosis that she described as a living hell.
Susan says, "In my memoir, I share the complicated story of helping my daughter get her life back, in the hope that it will help others in a similar situation and give them some comfort."
No parent ever wants to see their child develop a chronic medical illness. But when it's one that is as misunderstood as schizophrenia, it's even more traumatic. Imagine how any parent would feel faced with this situation described in the book:
"We are driving down Main Street to the grocery store when Molly's attention is caught by a
homeless man in the corner of the parking lot who's rearranging the clutter in his shopping cart.
'Will I be getting a shopping cart?'
I park the car and will my voice to be convincingly certain as I take on this assumption that is said with a heartbreaking naivete.
'No, these are sick people who don't have a family to help them'.”
Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, former advisor to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Executive Director of the Stanley Medical Research Foundation, and best selling author of Surviving Schizophrenia says:
"This is one of the best accounts I have read of serious mental illness as told by a mother." He goes on to say, "Her attempts to educate herself and her support of her daughter as they wend their way through the schizoaffective maze provide a model for other families. Highly recommended."
Dr. Stephanie Engel, a Harvard psychiatrist said that this is "a much needed book about her experience as a mother..."
Dr. P Jane Milliken at the University of Victoria in BC states that "Susan's story is inspirational."
Dr. Jehannnine C.S. Austin of the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics at the University of British Columbia adds that this book is "important reading for both family members and mental health professionals alike."
Renea Mohammed, coordinator of Vancouver Community Mental Health's Peer Support Program says that Ms. Inman's book "demonstrates very aptly the difference that family can make and the importance of having a mental health system that works with them."
In his introduction to the book, Senator Michael Kirby, Chair of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, talks about "the work we still have to do to ensure that people with mental illness and their families get the same treatment....that individuals with physical illness receive.”
The work to be done is immense. It is just beginning........
After Her Brain Broke: Helping My Daughter Recover Her Sanity is published by Bridgeross Communications. ISBN 978-0-9810037-8-8 and distributed by Ingram Books. The book is available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapters/Indigo and in Kindle format.
Can Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Psychotic Disorders?
Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD
Omega-3 Fish Oils Tested as Preventative Approach to Schizophrenia, with Positive Results
While there has been research on the benefits of fish oil on preventing schizophrenia and minimizing some of the symptoms of the illness, most of it has been inconclusive (sometimes it seems to help, other times it doesn't show any effect). However, a new study conducted by Dr. Patrick McGorry in Australia examined the effects of fish oil in protecting against schizophrenia shows a significantly positive impact.
The study examined 81 at-risk youths (youths with a family history of schizophrenia) between the ages of 13 and 24. All participants had previously shown early signs of schizophrenia such as short hallucinations and delusions. Past research has shown that if left untreated, about one-third of the participants would go on to develop schizophrenia.
The researchers treated half of the participants with fish oil for three months, while the other half took a placebo that appeared to be fish oil. A year after prescribing fish oil or placebo, the researchers found that 3 percent of participants who had taken fish oil supplements developed schizophrenia. This compared with 28 percent of those who had taken the placebo.
Previous studies suggested that anti-psychotic drugs when used early in illness reduce the rate to about 12 percent. However, their use is controversial as they have serious side-effects like weight gain and increased risk of heart disease.
As one researcher stated, these findings provide us with non-medication based treatment option which seems beneficial for people at risk of developing schizophrenia. The findings also support the idea of the benefits of diagnosing and treating the illness sooner than later.
Studies looking for Participants
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Programs and Services
Upcoming Family Events
More Family Calendar Events | Monthly Support Group List | Events by Region
1 March:
Online Support Groups for Family / Supporters (all day)
2 March:
Vancouver - VCH - Connect Group for Parents of 13-18 Year Olds - Register Now
4 March:
Prince George - BCSS - The Role of Family Members in Recovery - Register Now (8 pm)
11 March:
Nelson - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Thursdays (7 pm)
Penticton - BCSS - Family Support Group - 2nd Thursdays (7 pm)
Victoria - BCSS - Family Support Group (7 pm)
15 March:
Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2 pm)
Fraser Lake - BCSS - Workshop on Depression (2 pm)
Fraser Health Region Family Focus Groups (6 pm)
Powell River - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Mondays (7 pm)
Vancouver - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 3rd Mondays (7 pm)
16 March:
Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10 am)
Vanderhoof - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (11 am)
Williams Lake and Area - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (6 pm)
Powell River - BCSS - Quarterly Branch Meeting (7 pm)
Campbell River - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (7 pm)
Squamish - NSSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesday of the month (7:30 pm)
Terrace - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Tuesdays (7:30 pm)
17 March:
Fort St. John - BCSS - Evening Support Group - 3rd Wednesday (7 pm)
Vancouver - IMH/UBC - Frames of Mind Movie Series (7 pm)
West Vancouver - NSSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Wednesdays (7:30 pm)
Delta - CHMA - Family Support Group - 1st & 3rd Weds. (7:30 pm)
Burnaby/New West - BCSS - Kids in Control - Registration open for winter 2010 course start (8 pm)
18 March:
Surrey / Whiterock - BCSS - Family Support Group - 3rd Thursdays (1:30 pm)
Vancouver - VCH - Children's Bereavement Support Group (ongoing) (4:30 pm)
Prince George - Strengthening Families Together (6:30 pm)
Prince George - BCSS - Lighten Up Family Support & Education Series (6:30 pm)
Abbotsford - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 1st and 3rd Thursdays (7 pm)
Vancouver - MDA - Education Evening: Stigma & Mental Illness (7 pm)
Burnaby/New West - BCSS - Kids in Control - Registration open for winter 2010 course start (8 pm)
20 March:
Victoria - BCSS - Family EPI Group - 3rd Saturdays (11:30 am)
Fraser Health Region Family Focus Groups (1:15 pm)
22 March:
Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2 pm)
Fraser Health Region Family Focus Groups (6:15 pm)
Vancouver - BCSS - Family Support Group - 4th Mondays (6:30 pm)
23 March:
Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10 am)
BC-wide - Kelty - Teleconference: Substance Use and Mental Health Issues in Youth (12 pm)
Vernon - BCSS - Family Support Group - 4th Tuesdays (evening) (7 pm)
24 March:
Ladner/Tsaw - MDA/CMHA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays (7 pm)
Langley - FH - Family Support Group (7 pm)
25 March:
Smithers - Consumer & Family Initiatives Committee - 4th Thursdays (12 pm)
Nanaimo - BCSS - Share & Care Family Support Group - last Thursday of the month (6:30 pm)
Vancouver - VCH - Family Caregiver Support Group (6:30 pm)
Salmon Arm - BCSS - Family Support Group - Last Thursdays (7 pm)
29 March:
Burns Lake - BCSS - Mental Illness Awareness & Education Workshops (2 pm)
Penticton - BCSS - Family Support - Mondays (2 pm)
Kitimat - BCSS - Family Support Group - last Mondays (7 pm)
30 March:
Summerland - BCSS - Family Support Tuesdays (10 am)
Abbotsford - BCSS - Family support group - Last Tuesdays (7 pm)
31 March:
Kamloops - BCSS - Support & Info Sessions - Wednesdays (4 pm)
McBride - BCSS - Family Support Group - last Wednesdays (7:30 pm)
1 April:
Northeast - Strengthening Families Course Accepting Registrations
Online Support Groups for Family / Supporters (all day)
Vancouver - VCH - Children's Bereavement Support Group (ongoing) (4:30 pm)
Tri-Cities - FORCE - Parents of Children Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)
Prince George - BCSS - Family Support Group - 1st Thursdays (6:30 pm)
Prince George - BCSS - Lighten Up Family Support & Education Series (6:30 pm)
Abbotsford - MDA - Mood Disorders Family Support Group - 1st and 3rd Thursdays (7 pm)
Kamloops - BCSS - Strengthening Families Together Course Accepting Registrations
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