by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA
A Guide for Patients, Families & Caregivers
Contents
Reading, Recovery, Writing & Coaching 2
36 Recovery Stories – by patients 2
A Promise of Hope 2
W.R.A.P – Wellness Recovery Action Plan 3
The Way Up From Down 3
Masks of Madness: Science of Healing 3
Canadian Researchers Developed Orthomolecular Medicine 3
Adventures in Psychiatry
Conventional Psychiatrists Prescribe Meds and more Meds 3
D.S.M. label – then medicate
Do NOT Stop Your Meds Without Medical Supervision 4
Finding Restorative Care in Toronto 5
Cdn College of Naturopathic Medicine
Depression Coach Available in Toronto 5
Caution to reader 6
Summary – 6
Orthomolecular Recoveries x36
A Short Reading List 7
More Books for Patients, Families and Caregivers 8
Bibliotherapy, reading about restorative care 8
Reading, Recovery, Writing, Coaching
At www.searpubl.ca you will learn how orthomolecular medicine restored my mental health. I work in Toronto as a consultant. A third of my clients have brain conditions. During their episodes of depression or anxiety, I coach and monitor their progress. I write the SEAR series of articles, books and reviews to help people avoid problems, misdiagnoses and mistreatments. Finding Care for Depression, Mental Episodes & Brain Disorders and The 90-Day Plan for Finding Quality Care come with a healthcare compass, a planner and many references.
For 28 years, I suffered with a bipolar II mood disorder. Psychiatrists and psychologists never mentioned restorative care. I trusted standard treatments but got worse. Doctors watched the deterioration. Desperate for help,I updated my degree in biological and medical sciences by reading psychiatry and psychology books. I learned about mental illnesses and hoped to find restorative care. During interviews with >150 people, many of them shared similar problems.
Eventually, books explained how some health professionals use nutrients to heal. Their scientific research and medical discoveries led to orthomolecular medicine. After 50 years of research, development, progress and success, with thousands of patients helped, why does restorative care remain little-known? Why keep it secret? Orthomolecular Recoveries x36, a short reading list, shares 36 stories written by people who recovered from depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. (See pg. 7 for 36 antidotes to secrecy.) Recommended reading!
Autumn Stringam, from Calgary, wrote A Promise of Hope after her recovery from a bipolar mood disorder. Her mother’s suicide, while struggling with a bipolar illness, left several children who were also bipolar. Autumn’s desperate father found a chap who knew that nutritional supplements could calm stroppy pigs. Even though Autumn was reluctant to stop taking her antidepressants and other medications, the ‘pig pills’ helped her recover. These same supplements have since helped many people with bipolar disorders.
The first medical researchers to test the regimen noticed that nutritional supplements helped some bipolar patients; the scientists recommended further studies. Health Canada tried to stop this treatment, pending drug-number approval. An Alberta court found in favour of using supplements to help bipolar patients, while research continues. Autumn wrote a superb account of her experiences with bipolar disorder and her astonishing recovery but her book does not explain how supplements can restore brain chemistry. Fortunately, many other books have that information.
I recovered after reading fascinating books by physicians who use nutritional supplements to restore normal brain function. Based on each patient’s diagnosis and biochemical individuality, orthomolecular doctors recommend optimal doses of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy and enzyme co-factors, antioxidants or methylation modifiers, and they consider how diet can affect brain function. W.R.A.P. by Vermont psychologist Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD suggests self-care and action planning for wellness recovery. The Way Up From Down by Dr. Priscilla Slagle, a California psychiatrist, taught me how to take supplements. (One at a time; start with a low dose; go slowly; continue taking vitamins which help.)
In 1998, I appeared in Masks of Madness:Science of Healing, a documentary about orthomolecular medicine, featuring Margot Kidder as host and narrator. She used nutritional supplements to recover from her bipolar disorder. In the film,2 bipolar and 6 schizophrenic patients report their progress and 6 health professionals explain orthomolecular care. You can order the Masks film from the International Schizophrenia Foundation (416) 733-2117.
Canadian Researchers Developed Orthomolecular Medicine
While researching schizophrenia, biochemist and psychiatrist Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) discovered that nutritional supplements can restore mental health. Adventures in Psychiatry: The Scientific Memoirs of Dr. Abram Hoffer shares his life’s work and lists his published books and articles.
We can learn a lot from Dr. Hoffer. Forty years after he co-founded orthomolecular medicine (in the 1950s) he appeared in the Masks film.Hoffer and his team of health professionals (physicians, biochemists, psychiatrists and nurses) researched and developed restorative regimens, networked and helped thousands of patients. Abram Hoffer wrote more than thirty books and six hundred medical journal articles to share his research, discoveries and recoveries. For decades, he spoke to health professionals, patients and families at meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars and lectures.
Dr. Hoffer established a worldwide network of orthomolecular doctors who treat patients restoratively. You can meet them at annual conferences where people gather from around the world to discuss orthomolecular research, development, progress and success with health professionals, recovered patients and families! On April 22, 2007 (at the 36th conference in Toronto), I spoke after Margot Kidder at the Mental Health Regained workshop.
After 30 books, double-blind experiments, 600 journal articles, many talks and the Masks film, the secret is out — orthomolecular medicine works! If so, why don’t conventional psychiatrists study the references and offer restorative care?
Conventional Psychiatrists Prescribe Meds and more Meds
Modern psychiatrists are busy. With full practices, they label patients and prescribe medications, apparently too busy to learn how supplements can help. Where does this leave sick patients and trusting families? Wandering the mental healthcare maze, hoping for quality care but getting labeled and medicated. “The D.S.M. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual lists many labels for patients with brain problems. After psychiatrists pick a diagnostic label, they prescribe one or more medications. Label and medicate – quick and easy. Efficient, but does this heal? Medications help but what if a bipolar patient gets an antipsychotic (such as olanzapine) along with an SSRI antidepressant (such as sertraline)? Two meds combine their effects (beneficial as well as problematic). Some patients have problems after drug-induced side attacks. e.g. akathesia with hypomania.
Bipolar patients often get several prescription medications. Do not question the psychiatrist before you study the medications. You will be surprised what you can learn, by reading books and guidelines. e.g. SSRI antidepressants may not help a bipolar disorder unless given with a mood stabilizer. According to psychiatrist Dr. David Healy, antidepressants were developed in Europe after World War II when chemical companies turned left-over rocket fuels into brain pills!
Bipolar patients typically get 2, 3 or even 4 meds. Psychiatrists, who regularly lecture at the Mood Disorders Assoc. of Ontario, admit to not knowing how these medications work. Why would psychiatrists treat sick patients with pills whose effectsthey cannot explain? Why give a bipolar patient the pill for another illness i.e. an antipsychotic for schizophrenia? Why shortcut the practice guidelines of psychiatry which recommend testing and diagnosing before prescribing? Why mix meds without trying to identify the root cause(s) of brain symptoms? Who benefits by rushing, drugging and mixing meds? Ask your doctor to show you any scientific and medical research supporting multiple meds. What if he can’t?
What happens if busy psychiatrists label sick patients and prescribe medications before doing diagnostic work-ups? Do their patients get ‘quality’ care? After experiencing substandard shortcuts, I found journal articles which report that psychiatrists often do not follow practice guidelines with bipolar outpatients. Why not offer guideline-quality care? The experts don’t say. If this happens to you, do not panic. Do not complainor your psychiatrist might prescribe more pills to treat your oppositional defiant disorder! Instead the patient / family caregiver / advocate can remain calm and learn (by reading). The SEAR site suggests books so you can study the standard treatments and restorative care.
Do NOT Stop Your Medications Without Medical Supervision
Some patients want to stop taking pills after they experience bad side effects. That might not be a realistic goal. Please do NOT try it without supervision. The practice guidelines of psychiatry (written for health professionals and for laymen) recommend medical testingto determine which of 50 (or more) medical conditions might cause or contribute to mental symptoms. e.g. hypothyroid
Modest doses of medications help many patients, after diagnostic tests and medical treatments.
Each patient responds differently so it makes sense to learn the side effects. Do NOT go off meds UNTIL you get properly diagnosed and treated for underlying medical or metabolic conditions and stabilized on a restorative program. Even then, many patients still need to take pills to keep well. A supplement regimen can complement meds thereby allowing a patient to benefit from prescription drugs, cooperate with talk therapy and recover using restorative treatments. On lower doses, patients have fewer problems with side ‘attacks’ than they do while taking high doses of medications or mixing pills.
Perhaps you have already been tested, but even so, it makes sense to update your medical tests and re-check your hormones, thyroid gland and blood sugar to see whether lingering metabolic or other medical problems might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. Patients can ask for tests, see the test results, track their progress, and request copies of their medical files.
Finding Restorative Care in Toronto
Few psychiatristsin Toronto use complementary treatments. This area has a population of 5,000,000. Most psychiatrists here give labels and prescribe meds. If that does not help, sick patients can get worse. Orthomolecular doctors offer complementary restorative care, consistent with the practice guidelines of psychiatry. The International Society of Orthomolecular Medicine(16 Florence Ave, Toronto) recommends books and articles and publishes the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. Free book list at www.orthomed.org
Jonathan Prousky, Chief Medical Officer of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, knows about orthomolecular medicine. He sees patients at the CCNM clinic (Leslie and Sheppard, Toronto). You can call Dr. Prousky at the college. Tell him who referred you. Ask about his books and articles. e.g. Anxiety: Orthomolecular Diagnosis & Treatment and Naturopathic Nutrition.
One person moved to Toronto from another city where she had consulted many doctors and taken psychiatric medications. Bad side effects made her worse. Supposedly bipolar, she had pernicious anemia (an underlying medical problem, a deficiency of vitamin B12). Her doctors knew about her p-anemia diagnosis but they did not know that it caused her ‘bipolar’ symptoms or how to treat her restoratively. She soon recovered when Jonathan Prousky treated her with a vitamin B12 supplement (without fillers).
During the first meeting, Jonathan listens carefully and gets to know each patient. After diagnosing, he recommends complementary nutritional supplements and suggests an appropriate diet. As the patient recovers, he gradually adjusts the regimen. A qualified health professional and a medical college instructor, Dr. Prousky practices restorative care and teaches orthomolecular methods.
Another referral involved a young lady, diagnosed with a bipolar disorder, who also had problems taking medications. She improved taking the True Hope regimen, and supplements which Dr. Prousky recommended. He communicated with her psychiatrist. So far, her progress has been very good as long as she takes her treatments every day. Her regimen includes vitamins, minerals and amino acids. These supplements, also called Empower Plus, have helped many patients with bipolar disorder but not as many with schizophrenia or autism.
Depression Coach in Toronto
If you live in Toronto, you can e-mail sealey@sympatico.ca to schedule an appointment. Obviously, as a recovered patient, author and consultant, I do not diagnose or treat or give medical advice. I suggest books, discuss how patients can search for better quality care and coach as people navigate the mental healthcare maze. My books explain how you can find restorative care. Free excepts at www.searpubl.ca
Most people who call have been through a tough time with their illnesses. Unfortunately, medications can make some sick people worse. That happened to me! Misdiagnosis and mistreatments nearly cost me my life. Please note – I am not opposed to psychiatry or medications or talk therapy. Obviously they help. However, if substandard short cuts make sick patients WORSE, I encourage them to seek second opinions and ask for guideline-quality care.
Caution to Reader
Suicidal thoughts are often a symptom of the lowest point of a mood disorder; even though you feel bad, do NOT hurt yourself!Instead consider restorative treatments which researchers tested and found safe and effective.
Summary – You Can Find Restorative Care for Mental Illness – even in Toronto!
Mental disorders are painful. After more than 40 years with my bipolar brain, I know! If I could recover after years of episodes, bad moods and other problems, you can too. Just because you read one book, do not assume you know it all. Instead, you can study several books and ask your health professionals to test you carefully and diagnose the root cause(s) of your symptoms; then you can ask them to recommend safe and effective treatments, discuss the risks and benefits and get your informed consent for treatments, especially medications.
After years of illness, many patients despair. Some get so sick that they find it hard to act in their best interests. Eventually patients reach their lowest point; some take their own lives; but others still hope for quality care. Obviously they want to recover. Even the sickest patients can be helped, restoratively, but someone has to mention that orthomolecular care can complement their pills.
If you read about orthomolecular medicine, you will learn about safe, effective and restorative care. With an accurate diagnosis and guideline-quality medical care, you can recover. You can find and consult health professionals who complement brain pills with nutritional supplements.
Recovery after years of mental illness does not happen overnight. Within 90 days on a restorativeprogram, many patients feel better. Maybe they do not become perfect, but recovered patients can restore their health to the point that they can finish their educations, resume their jobs and fulfill their destinies.
I look forward to meeting you, discussing books and sharing information.
PS – don’t keep secrets! Tell your friends about restorative care. You can copy Orthomolecular Recoveries x36, the short reading list, and pass it on.
by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA SEAR Publications www.searpubl.ca
Orthomolecular Recoveries x36
A Short Reading List compiled by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA
Finding Care for Depression, Mental Episodes & Brain Disorders
by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA, Toronto, SEAR Publications, 2002 www.searpubl.ca
> One patient’s orthomolecular recovery story with tips and traps, tools and references –
- the practice guidelines of psychiatry – summarized into 10 steps
- a mental healthcare compass, TAYO, a healthcare planner – Think About Your Options
- references rated from standard to restorative with snapshot reviews
Healing Depression & Bipolar Disorder Without Drugs – 14 Inspiring Stories of Restoring Mental Health Through Natural Therapies
by Gracelyn Guyol; Walker & Co, NY, 2006
- written by a patient who shared her recovery story and 13 others
- informative, helpful and hopeful, suitable for patients, families and caregivers
Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder – What your doctor doesn’t tell you . . . that you need to know
by John McManamy; Harper Collins, NY, 2006 www.mcmanweb.com
- author, a recovered patient, applied his legal training and became a mood disorder journalist
- concise, clear, and comprehensive – useful for patients, families and caregivers
Mental Health Regained, 18 Personal Stories of Recovery
edited by Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD; Toronto, ISF, 2007 www.orthomed.org
- 18 personal stories of recovery from schizophrenia, psychosis and bipolar disorder
- regimens of vitamins and other supplements restored mental health – the orthomolecular way
Nutrients Quiet the Unquiet Brain, A Four Generation Bipolar Odyssey
by David Moyer, LCSW, CA, Nu-Tune Press, 2003
- exploring a bewildering range of possible diagnoses and available treatments
- father David Moyer, a social worker, searched for help and found True Hope
A Promise of Hope: The Astonishing True Story of a Woman with Bipolar Disorder
by Autumn Stringam, Harper Collins Publishers, Toronto, 2007
- her mother’s suicide left several bipolar children; her father heard about ‘pig pills’
- Autumn agreed to try a regimen of vitamins, minerals & amino acids; True Hope recovery #1
Treating Autism: [31] Parent Stories of Hope and Success
ed by S. Edelson, PhD & B. Rimland, PhD, Autism Research Inst., San Diego, 2003
>Restorative care using one or more biomedical treatments for autism or Aspergers
The Secrets to Recovery
by Linda Santini, MEd; (in progress)
- shrinks and shortcuts, pills and more pills; 2 boys got sicker
- their mother hoped for better care; by reading, she found restorative regimens
- surviving, recovering and healing, writing to help other families
More Books for Patients, Families and Caregivers
Adventures in Psychiatry – The Scientific Memoirs of Dr. Abram Hoffer
by Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, Toronto, KOS Publishing, 2006
Could it Be B12? an Epidemic of Misdiagnoses [involving a deficiency of vitamin B12]
Feel Better and Live Longer with Vitamin B-3
Nutrient Deficiency and Dependency
How Doctor’s Think [or don’t think when they misdiagnose and mistreat]
90-day Plan for Finding Quality Care excerpts at www.searpubl.ca
Bibliotherapy, reading about restorative care
The concept: a few good books can help you find restorative care for depression and other brain disorders.
Most people suffer during episodes of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. With doctors overloaded and the healthcare system focused on saving time and money, patients risk shortcuts and substandard care. Misdiagnosed and mistreated, patients can get sicker. If you get worse, do not despair or give up. You can choose to take control of your health issues and set up a self-study program. Diane Dawber wrote Reading to Heal in which she explained how the right books can teach you about diagnosis and treatments, encourage your progress and guide your recovery.
You can use this short reading list to help yourself or a loved one. Even if you have symptoms and side attacks during episodes of depression or a serious mental illness, you can still read, find help and renew your hope. You can learn a lot from books written by patients who recovered and you can also learn from books written by health professionals who diagnose and treat patients – restoratively.
Even if you are not well, you can still read and take steps:
1. find helpful books;
2. focus on reading;
3. study standard procedures for diagnosis and treatment;
4. learn how researchers developed restorative programs;
5. look for physicians and specialists who have the knowledge and experience to treat mental illness – restoratively.
6. ask for integrated care which
combines standard treatments with complementary healing regimens.
7. if necessary, 2nd consult with doctors, nutritionists and naturopaths who offer restorative care, including nutritional supplements.
For book reviews, see Open Minds Quarterly (NISA), Nutrition & Mental Health (ISF), Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine (ISO M). www.searpubl.ca www.orthomed.org www.amazon.com
We would like to expand this list. If you can suggest other titles written by patients or family members, please let us know. E-mail your favourites to – sealey@sympatico.ca
www.searpubl.ca
Mary Ellen Copeland, PhD, developed Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) with a group of people with lived experience who were attending a mental health recovery workshop in 1997. She is the original author of the WRAP Red Book, as well as dozens of other WRAP books and materials. She has dedicated the last 30 years of her life to learning from people who have mental health issues; discovering the simple, safe, non-invasive ways they get well, stay well, and move forward in their lives; and then sharing what she has learned with others through keynote addresses, trainings, and the development of books, curriculums, and other resources. Now that she is retired, and that, as she intended, others are continuing to share what she has learned, she continues to learn from those who have mental health issues and those who support them. She is a frequent contributor to this site.
