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This week’s three new things include:
Maurya, a commenter, asked if I knew anything about l-theanine. Well, I didn’t. Every once in a while even I run across something of which I haven’t heard.
So, for those of you in my boat, here’s a bit about l-theanine:
As always, as this is a supplement it is not FDA-controlled and there is no guarantee as to what you will get in the bottle and you should never take any supplement without first checking with your doctor.
More studies on l-theanine can be found here.
2. What I Don’t Like – A Half-Assed Comparison Between Bipolar Disorder and the Financial MarketsI’m a writer so questionable metaphors irk me. And rapid cycling bipolar disorder as a metaphor for the financial marketplace? Really? That’s a whole new level of irk.
If you really want to make that comparison then the bulk of the article should be on the markets and not mental illness, and not the other way around like Lloyd I. Sederer M. D. did in Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder: In the Office and On ‘The Street.’
All this poorly-written article did was confuse people and elicit a bunch of anti-bipolar comments like:
“The foundation of the Bi-Polar epidemic is based in suppressed biochemistry, outdated understanding of genetics and a complete misunderstanding of our true spiritual nature.”
And,
“So how exactly is this different from saying some people dramatically over-react to external circumstances?
Sorry folks, but this one goes into the notebook for the next philosophical discussion of “medicalization” as a way of discussing deviance.”
Seems to me he just wanted to use mental illness as an eyeball-grabber, tricking readers onto a topic they would never otherwise read – with the extra bonus of eliciting remarks of stigma.
Gee, thanks.
As you might know, I’m not a fan of antipsychiatry folks. I have written a lot on this topic and I’m sure I will write much more in times to come. But I can across this article, Getting It From Both Sides: Foundational and Antifoundational Critiques of Psychiatry which has an interesting discussion of antipsychiatry viewpoints.
It astutely notes there are two sides of antipsychiatry – those who feel that nothing can be defined and thus no mental illness can be defined; and those who feel illness is rigidly defined and mental illness doesn’t meet that definition.
Both sides, as the author says,
“. . . have had the effect of discrediting and marginalizing psychiatry and of delegitimizing psychiatric diagnosis and nosology.”
It’s a very intelligent view of antipsychiatry criticism that is elevated far beyond what we normally see online. Check it out.
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer, speaker, advocate, and consultant from the Pacific Northwest. She has been living with bipolar disorder for 26 years and has written more than 2000 articles on the subject.
Find more of Natasha’s work in her acclaimed book: "Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar" on Amazon.
Connect with Natasha at the social media links below.
Shopping for someone with a mental illness can feel tricky—you want a gift that actually helps, not just more clutter. This guide walks you through 15 thoughtful, low-pressure mental health gifts that offer real comfort, reduce stress, and say, “I see you and I’m here,” during the holidays and all year.
I’m never going to call bipolar pain a “gift.” Most days, I just want it to stop. But emotional and even physical pain aren’t always random torture—they’re often trying to tell us something. This piece digs into what your pain might be saying, how to listen, and how that can make living with it just a little easier.
After 24 of 30 TMS sessions with no meaningful improvement, I wrote the guide I needed: why failed treatment hurts, how to get through the next 72 hours, and what to ask your clinician now.
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Hi Maurya,
Thanks.
Yes, sometimes they are antipsyhiatry people in sheep’s clothing. I’ve seen them. They seem all nice until they find out you’re ill and on medication, and then, well, not so nice.
Sorry about the sub-human feelings. You shouldn’t have to get that just because you have an illness you’re receiving treatment for. You don’t deserve that.
Interesting to hear that l-theanine is helpful for you. Thanks for that information. I’ll tuck it away.
Thank-you for your kind words. I always appreciate a fan. If you feel like it, perhaps you could share me with some of your friends. Or, you know, my site ;)
– Natasha Tracy
Hi Natasha. Great article, as always. I have to be careful about those anti-psychiatry people. Once in awhile I’ll accidently disclose to one of them and they have a way of making me feel sub-human for taking the medication I reuire to feel more like myself. I don’t have much affection for any sort of group that thinks they’re better than me just because they don’t need meds. And thanks for the bit about L-theanine… I haven’t researched it the way you have but I do know that it happens to put me in a fabulous mood. It cracks me up because although it’s a stimulant, apparently it can help you sleep too. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you do, educating and writing this blog, which I follow avidly. You really are helping people out there, keep up the good work. =)