What would it be like for people who suffer from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia to be able to go to the Dr once every three to six months to be injected with medicine than to take pills two to three times a day? Forgetting to take a pill, or not being able to take it because you got tied up some where and don't have enough on you for the duration is a common issue. Not taking one dose, or taking it late will mess you up emotionally and can sometimes lead to you not caring about the next dose. Being free from that responsibility for months at a time sounds revolutionary.
A new drug that is expected to go on the market in a few months called, NP202, needs to be implanted minimally once every three months. It's a biodegradable risperidone implant that has a continuous delivery system that can be taken out at any time. It can also be used to treat migraines and Parkinson's disease.
Who wouldn't want this new treatment espesially those who aren't good at taking medication as regularly as they should? This sounds like a miracle option. One problem is that it only works on just under half of patients. Just like all mental health drugs, there is not one pill for everyone. It will take time for all the side effects to be known and the known ones aren't published yet because the drug isn't approved so the company making it doesn't need to share that information publicly which helps them get needed financial funding. One thing that makes me uneasy about it is is what Jane Hollingsworth, the chief executive officer of NuPathe, the company making this drug, said. “There is a need for innovation, but the more innovation you have in your product, the more difficult it can be for [the regulators] to understand it, at least within the review cycle time line. By definition, innovation does not fit in a box or the mold for what has come before, and that can strain the regulatory system, particularly if it is a system that favors caution and safety over innovation.”
This statement makes me fear she may be more interested in some possible good outcomes without caring for adequate safety measures for the others.
This treatment is revolutionary while I wouldn't be the first in line to be a guinea pig.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Mentally ill, more likley to be violent?
A new study amongst developed countries show that adults who suffer from mental illness are 4 times more likely to experience violence and 1 in 4 people without a disability have experienced violence in the past year. Hm this sounds like people with mental illnesses are beating on people without.
Actually they are 4 times more likley to be victims of the violence than the perpetrators. This says a lot about out society and how they treat the mentally ill, as well as how people's mental illness affects them so that they live life putting themselves in harms way.
People who suffer from mental illness often are a target because of low self esteem, poor social behaviors, social stress and isolation, neurological impairment, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Media often portrays people with mental illnesses as the ones we should be fearful of, instead society should do a better job of protecting them because they are vulnerable to abuse from others.
How can you help change this trend for the positive? Don't make slide comments to homeless people on the street to find a job because they look physically fit enough to work, they may be suffering from a bigger problem than a broken knee or injured limbs. Engage yourself in a conversation, a kind word or relationship with someone who is different and may suffers from mental illness instead of awkwardly ignoring them. Be more aware of illnesses and stop others from derogatory comments at the least.
If you are mentally ill, acknowledge that your are more susceptible to being abused and you are worth more than that. Isolation is your biggest enemy and find something that gives you self worth whether it be in a job, volunteer work or being a good friend.
It takes all of us whether we are mentally ill, know some one who is or are just bi-standers among people for this violence to end. Every little word said or action done, makes a difference one way or another.
Actually they are 4 times more likley to be victims of the violence than the perpetrators. This says a lot about out society and how they treat the mentally ill, as well as how people's mental illness affects them so that they live life putting themselves in harms way.
People who suffer from mental illness often are a target because of low self esteem, poor social behaviors, social stress and isolation, neurological impairment, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Media often portrays people with mental illnesses as the ones we should be fearful of, instead society should do a better job of protecting them because they are vulnerable to abuse from others.
How can you help change this trend for the positive? Don't make slide comments to homeless people on the street to find a job because they look physically fit enough to work, they may be suffering from a bigger problem than a broken knee or injured limbs. Engage yourself in a conversation, a kind word or relationship with someone who is different and may suffers from mental illness instead of awkwardly ignoring them. Be more aware of illnesses and stop others from derogatory comments at the least.
If you are mentally ill, acknowledge that your are more susceptible to being abused and you are worth more than that. Isolation is your biggest enemy and find something that gives you self worth whether it be in a job, volunteer work or being a good friend.
It takes all of us whether we are mentally ill, know some one who is or are just bi-standers among people for this violence to end. Every little word said or action done, makes a difference one way or another.
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