Saphris Approved for Schizoprhenia and Bipolar 1

Saphris an an atypical anti-psychotic created by Schering-Plough which has just been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminitstration (FDA). I don't know if it's available in Canada or will be come available.

More Info is Available: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm177401.htm

[Guest Post] Mental Health Resources in California

*This post is by Sarah of Puss Reboots*

Parents of children (under the age of 18) with mental health issues should know about California's Mental Health Parity Law (AB 88).

Since July 2000, California health plans have been required by law to cover treatment for nine diagnoses of severe mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbance (SED) in children.

· Schizophrenia
· Schizoaffective Disorder
· Bipolar Disorder
· Major Depression
· Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
· Panic Disorder
· Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa)
· Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder
· Serious Emotional Disturbance in children and adolescents

The law is aimed at children under the age of eighteen and they must meet certain criteria listed on the SPD Bay Area site.

Regardless of age, there are a number of online resources for Californians suffering from mental health problems:

· NAMI California
· Depression Screening
· California Resource Guides at SAMHSA
· About.com California
· Bay Area Community Resources
· MHEWC
· Freedom From Fear
· MentalHelp.net
· California Department of Mental Health
· California Department of Education
· California Black Women's Health Project
· California Department of Managed Care

Knowing Your Diagnosis

Do you know what your diagnosis is? You should. Depression isn't really a diagnosis. It's usually something more indepth such as Clinical Depression or Treatment Resistant Depression. Knowing your diagnosis allows you to look it up, to find people who have the same problem as you and to ask intelligent questions.

Ask your doctor what your actual diagnosis is. If he/she is reluctant to tell you, I'd be wary. You have every right to know.

So what did the doctor say?

Major Depressive Disorder, Unipolar Depression or Clinical Depression?
Look here.

Treatment Resistant Depression?
Look here and here.

Dysthmic Disorder?
Look here.

Bipolar Disorder?
Look here.

Schizophrenia?
Look here.

Personality disorder? Any kind?
Look here.

Anxiety Disorder? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Post-Traumatic Disorder?
Look here.

Just do an online search to anything your doctor tells you.