Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with psychiatry

Happy happy happy all the time shock treatment, I'm doing fine

simbiotic — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:54:23 -0800

I found an antique electro-therapeutic apparatus at a thrift shop. Now what? I haven't been able to find any real information from googling. I brought it to an antique shop but they had no information about value or resources for finding a buyer. They estimated the date to turn of the century by looking at the hinges and the dovetails of the box and the cotton insulation and fine copper wiring. I have no idea if this is accurate.

It's kind of creepy to have sitting around but I am not sure if I want to sell it. I'd like to know the value or if a museum would be interested. At this point I don't have money to invest in an appraisal. Since we do live in LA, of course the apparatus already has a movie offer. I'd like to know if it should be insured and for how much.

There are pictures at the flickr link in my profile. I've also transcribed the instructions from the inside label. Maybe the language would be helpful is dating it?

Lexapro/bupropion: light at the end, or just a really long tunnel?

anthom — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:53:17 -0800

Without going into whole life stories/clinical history, I just want to know - does the exaggerated anxiety that appears as a side effect of Wellbutrin subside after a while? My wife was prescribed Wellbutrin (actually, generic bupropion) to augment her current antidepressant (Lexapro) Wednesday. Over the past week, she had been anxious, but able to function. Yesterday, after taking the bupropion, the anxiety became too much, she felt "fidgety" all day, and broke down into several panic attacks. She said she couldn't control her thoughts, or get out of her own way enough to do anything. Today, she's ever so slightly better (no major crying/panic attacks), but the crippling anxiety and fidgety-ness still seem to be there.

She's suffered from depression and anxiety for years, so naturally I'm curious as to why her psychiatrist would prescribe her something that lists anxiety and agitation among its first few side effects, but IANAD, so I'd assume he knows what he's doing. After talking to him yesterday, he also prescribed her some Xanax or something similar in an attempt to take the edge off. Understandably, she only wants to take them as a last resort, since they basically knock her out.

Of course, YA also NAD. That being said, is there reason to believe this will pass (or at least lessen in severity), or do we wait out the weekend and call her psych Monday to say "this isn't working"?

Doctor or Doctorate? To-may-to, To-mah-to?

Eudaimonia — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:39:05 -0800

What does it take to be a doctor (MD)? And what does it take to be a doctor (PhD)? Torn about what path to pursue, Background: studied psyc in college, am currently finishing up in public health. Obviously, I need a third degree.

My first reading for pleasure books were psychiatric non-fiction. I love psychology. I love psychiatry. I have, at various times, dreamt of being a neurologist, a psychiatrist, a psychologist (clinical, neuro-, or research). I’ve finally figured out that what truly fascinates me is elucidating mental processes by way of studying those with deficits or diseases – we’ve learned a whole lot about memory, for example, from Alzheimer’s patients.

I love people. Really, I do. I love learning, too. I want to find out more about why we do what we do and tell the world. I want to be the next Oliver Sacks. And yes, of course, I want to heal and help (though issues of self efficacy and fear of having someone’s life and/or mental health in my hands are a bit frightening)

Currently am torn between pursuing pre-med studies and doing more research (which I’m not keen on honestly, but that’s another post), trying to decide between clinical psyc. PhD or MD. I have perused the studentdoctor forums but am looking for the opinions of seasoned MDs and PhDs – what place does your profession have for a person like me?

Everybody wants prosthetic foreheads on their real heads

holdkris99 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:34:24 -0800

Where can a 21 year old girl go in the Dallas area for free or low cost psychiatric help besides JPS and Parkland? I am not looking for faith based counseling programs or the like.

You spin me right round baby right round like an anxiety disorder right round round round

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:14:40 -0800

You're not my psychiatrist, and I'm not your patient. But I need some help evaluating my feelings and setting my dosage within the limits my psychiatrist has prescribed. I'm on Citalopram (generic of Celexa, predecessor to Lexapro) and have been for well over a year. Recently, I've been feeling great, but have been having some sexual side effects and general 'laziness'. I haven't been exercising, so I've gotten fat. I've got about 100 hours of consulting work to do in the next few weeks plus my day job, and I need a little bit more nervous energy and 'edge' to get myself back in the gym and doing the work I need to do. I asked my psychiatrist during my last appointment if I could reduce the dose just a tad, and she wrote the prescription to allow for between 30mg and 40mg. I began the new dose on Saturday night.

Now, I realize that this is a midrange dose, and since the half-life is 36 hours, it's not completely settled down to my new dosage yet. Additionally, it should take a little longer for me to see the effect.

But back on the other hand, I've been beyond jittery and stuck on fast forward all day today. I've been focused and mission-oriented, and I've gotten TONS done, but ... sheesh! My girlfriend asked me at dinner tonight if I had been smoking crack, so it's an obvious behviour change to others. Back on the bright side, the sexual side effects (inability to ejaculate) are already gone.

I'm trying to make sure these aren't withdrawal symptoms and I'll settle back out if I just give it another week. But I'm "spinning" -- that's the word I use to describe when my anxiety disorder blows things out of proportions and leads the monkey on my back to jump to hasty conclusions. A good example: My GF isn't online, which must mean that she was put off by my hyperactivity at dinner, and is going to dump me. Illogical -- I know. But that ol' monkey's whispering it in my ear...

My main worry over the next week is showing signs of 'instability' to coworkers and consulting clients. My life has been stellar since I went on the drugs... the drugs let me channel a little bit of the 'zen' I've been seeking my entire life. Not so much that I act like a pot smoker, but enough that I'm able to let life flow around me and dip into precisely the parts I want to. I'm mostly anxious (go figure) about the effects an increase in hyperactivity will have on my work and love relationships.

So. Grit my teeth and stick it out at the lower dosage and just work myself to exhaustion the next few nights till things settle back out ... or go back on the safety blanket dosage that I'm comfortable with?

I'll obviously call my psychiatrist tomorrow, but I'm interested in the hive mind's opinion in the meantime.

Citations or reporting for psychaitric diagnosis in the military?

OmieWise — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:06:47 -0800

I'm looking for citations (including reporting) regarding psychiatric diagnosis in the military over the past several years. Asking for a friend: During some extensive reporting last year on military and veteran health care, NPR reported high rates of diagnosis of personality disorders in the military since the Iraq war began. Because personality disorders might be said to be "pre-existing conditions," the military doesn't extend health care benefits to soldiers so diagnosed. However, there is fairly active debate in mental health circles about whether or not PTSD sometimes presents looking like a personality DO.

Does anyone know of any other sources for this information? Books, newspaper, magazine and journal articles would all be great. Anecdotes would be interesting but wouldn't really contribute to solidifying this as citable information.

(I've already searched PubMed.)

our dad needs some help

jalebi — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:16:00 -0800

My siblings and I are trying to find kinds of therapy for my dad, in dealing with the death of our mom/his spouse 17 years ago. He's still very very emotional about any discussion of her, and has never talked to a "professional" about it. Ideas suggestions for types of therapy, and recommendations in the Washington DC area. Our mom died seventeen years ago, and while everybody is entitled to their moments, my dad is extremely emotional and his behavior is often very volatile. He's always had a temper, but now he has tempter tantrums and gets angry/jealous after spending time with people who have been happily and healthily together for some time. He breaks down at any mention of our mom.

After my siblings and I suggesting therapy for quite some time, and leaving the issue at rest after his dismissal, he's finally brought up the idea himself. We're hoping that he may follow through and accept the help that he needs.

Specific issues we're dealing with: him being a caretaker of her with cancer, twice. Cultural issues, familial conflict (together, with our mom's side of the family), prolonged grief/bereavement. Someone located in the Northern VA/DC area.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. My siblings and I want to get him help, but don't know where to begin.

Thanks much.

Pschologist or Psychiatrist in Columbus, O?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:46:06 -0800

Anyone know a good psychologist or psychiatrist in Columbus, O? In fact, which might be better? Dealing with some anxiety and OCD. Had a bout of this in college, concerns about sexuality and some of the other very typical OCD worries. I managed, with little knowledge of this stuff, to get over it, although only after a busparin prescription calmed me down a little. No therapy really, to speak of, just the prescription from school psychiatrist. Anway, it has returned lately. In a wonderful relationship heading toward marriage, and low and behold, relationship substantiation OCD kicks in. It sucks. i'm thinking of starting with a psychologist, don't want to take drugs if i don't have to. I'm a little scared though, I want someone good. Anyone know of anyone in Columbus, ohio?

clonazepam and me, sitting in a tree

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:21:43 -0800

Clonazepam is my go-to workhorse drug. But am I setting myself up for addiction? I have problems with overwhelming anxiety at times, a condition which my psychiatrist prescribed me clonazepam. I love the stuff. I take .5 to 1mg a day whenever I feel panicky (along with a mt dew to offset drowsiness). A typical day of usage is a dose in the morning to confront the workday and sometimes a dose at night if i can't sleep.

I love the drug and it works wonders, making me productive and helping me reach my potential.

BUT, I have concerns regarding addiction. I have read that clonazepam is supposed to be less addicting than other anxiety medications, but that it is not without risks. I have also read that it can be accompanied with some serious withdrawal symptoms. As a test, I did slowly decrease my dosage and then go off of it for a month and noticed no withdrawal, but I found my anxiety problems unmanageable.

The bottom line is: Is it safe for me to continue using clonazepam in the manner which I do for a long period of time, perhaps the rest of my life?

treatment of social anxiety disorder in or around Boston, MA

lucky mollusk — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:49:09 -0800

Recommendations for treatment of social anxiety disorder in or around Boston or Cambridge, MA? Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, or witch doctors. Tell me about any good experience you've had (or your friend, whatever). Who helped you, how did you find them, and what would you do differently with the benefit of hindsight?

MBTA accessibility is a big plus.

I'm already working the PCP referral angle, and I've got a list of 343 names from my insurance provider who I'll call randomly if I have to (the first step in curing your phone phobia is curing your phone phobia). I feel like I'm playing the mental health lottery. Any tips from past winners?

Why is psychoanlaysis still around?

decoherence — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:22:57 -0800

Freud and his followers have been thoroughly discredited for quite a while now. Our scientific understanding of the brain has grown by leaps and bounds since their heyday, and we now have treatment methods that are cheaper, quicker, and more effective than anything psychoanalysis had to offer. So why is psychoanalysis still practiced? Paraphrasing Peter Watson, when all is said and done, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that Freud, et al. simply "made everything up." So why are there still practicing psychoanalysts, many of whom hold academic positions on the medical faculties at places like Columbia and Yale? Why are there still psychoanalytic training institutes? And above all, why do people continue to subject themselves to psychoanalysis, in light of the fact that it's expensive, time-consuming, and ineffective?

I'm just curious how this pseudo-science has managed to stick around for so long when everything I know about it seems to indicate that it should be about as commonly practiced as alchemy these days. I realize that it's not exactly thriving, but I find its continuing presence in the major cities, among the intelligentsia, and it's refusal to completely disappear from psychiatry a bit strange.

Can anyone who knows more about it and the present state of psychiatry and psychology help me out here?

How to find a Chicago-area psychiatrist?

I, Lamy — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:59:30 -0800

I'm looking for a respected, progressive psychiatrist in Chicagoland and am having a hard time finding a database of rankings or respected professionals. Any suggestions? I've used both Castle Connelly and Yelp. Is there any publication or other resource that I'm missing?

See, I'm trying to transition from my current shrink -- who doesn't think he can help me but who has taken a very conservative approach with medication -- to someone who's highly regarded in the field (anxiety/mood disorders) and is aggressive and innovative with treatment. I'm in my early 20s but I've had these problems for years.

I know word-of-mouth is generally how this information is disseminated, but that's how I ended up with the doc I've got now (in fact, he came on recommendation of my therapist who also takes a skeptical approach to medicine).

So, aside from asking friends or using the aforementioned publication and website, where should I look?

Medication for Panic Attacks?

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:06:11 -0800

Anxiety medication for panic attacks? What should I look out for / expect. I have panic attacks a few times a month. They used to be really bad as a teenager and young adult, but through meditation(not medication)/relaxation techniques and exercise I've got most of the physical symptoms under control these last 5 years. The problem is that it still mentally wipes me out for a couple days when it happens - unable to focus or deal with work very effectively. My work now doesn't offer much latitude for screwing up deadlines, and of course they always happen at the worse time, when I'm stressed by deadlines or really busy.

I'm looking to hear from people who are or where in similar situations and started taking medication, to learn if it helps or not and what the side effects might be. I'm hoping that I'll just need to take something during the attacks (we'll see after I meet with the doctor - appointment is scheduled already)? I know that psychiatric drugs aren't ideal but I'm at a loss otherwise.

How to help teenager with depression?

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 21:41:27 -0800

An adolescent relative in her senior year of high school is suffering depression, and recently spoke to a psychiatrist about suicide, which resulted in her near-hospitalization. She's taken Zoloft, and done some therapy -- what now? She became depressed over a year ago, and it looks to have been at least partly situational, with various family pressures to succeed and so on perhaps combining with some kind of genetic tendency towards depression.

This past summer she suffered a kind of nervous breakdown that caused her to briefly not complete a summer internship, and then she seemed better for a while. Now she told her psychiatrist she felt suicidal, and was nearly hospitalized.

She's been taking Zoloft for a year now, though she stopped for a month or something a few months ago. She's been in therapy with this psychiatrist for a month and a half, and feels a mild rapport with him.

She is otherwise quite functional: good grades, extracurriculars, etc. She claims not to know the cause of her depression, and she also claims that she knows it is irrational. She nevertheless maintains that there is a "black hole in her heart," and at various previous times has wanted: 1) to be away from everybody in some far away, anonymous place (though her internship was in such a place and did not help...though there *were* other people her age there), 2) to take a year off before college, 3) to have what she thinks is a more fit body (she feels that she is fat, and she probably is objectively overweight).

This is a random bunch of facts, but the question is: what else can we do to help her or she do to help herself?

Perhaps cognitive-behavioral therapy as opposed to the more traditional psychodynamic kind she's undergoing now?

An isolation yoga retreat (she likes yoga)? A trip around the world?

Some kind of major volunteer activity that would expose her to the plight of poor people elsewhere and enlarge her perspective?

The year off from college is no problem at this point, but what can she do now to better her depression and hopefully graduate from high school?

throwing people into an Iowa asylum

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:05:21 -0800

Iowa & mental health: What can someone do if they're threatened with being admitted for psychiatric reasons against their will? What happens? Does it really only take two other people signing a document? Is threatening someone with this a crime? The "two other people" thing might be totally wrong. I can't find the relevant laws. I would like to know
a) what does it take to get someone admitted against their will?
b) is it automatic? if you protest, and point out that you're not (e.g.) insane, they must not just lock you up anyway... right?
c) if it really does just take two people signing a document (I doubt this, but just in case), if two people threaten to conspire to get you thrown in a psychiatric ward, is that a criminal act?
d) this sucks.

Two many doctors?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 15:53:35 -0800

Do I need a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist? A few years ago I was going through some personal crises. Being generally of a depressed and morbid personality anyway, I decided that I had better see a therapist. While I was seeing him, I was also referred to a psychiatrist, who put be on 20mg of Prozac. Well, to make a long story short, I made it through the problems, went off the medication, stopped seeing the therapist.

Fast-forward to today. I'm again having some problems, and also realizing that I perhaps need therapy on a slightly more long-term basis in order to really address some more serious & recurring issues I have. I started seeing a clinical psychologist. I attempted to get an appointment for a psychiatrist as well, but the earliest appointment that I could get is 3 months from now. I asked a friend's father, who is an MD, to write me a prescription for Prozac 20mg since it had seemed to help in conjunction with the therapy previously. He did so, and I'm currently taking the meds w/ no side effects (note, I've been on the generic prozac for about 2 1/2 weeks).

So, my question is, do I need a psychiatrist as well as a psychologist? Or just one or the other? Will a psychiatrist who specializes in my problems give me the same kind of therapy as a clinical psychologist, or are they primarily concerned with the medical & neurological aspects? For long term, do I need one person to deal with the therapy, and one with the meds, or can one person (the psychiatrist) do it all? My previous therapy experience was very brief, only a few months, so I'm not sure what its like being a psychiatric patient long-term. Is it better safe than sorry to see a psychiatrist in case I need to change or go off my medication? The guy who prescribed the meds for me is not my physician, and in fact lives in another state. While he wouldn't have a problem continuing to prescribe them, I'm wondering about ethical issues as well as what's best for me.

And of course, the clincher is that my insurance only covers 20 behavioral health appointments per year, and I can't really afford to pay a lot of out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Advice? If you wish to email me directly, you can write to spotlitekid@gmail.com

I want to save the world ... with my pills.

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:07:06 -0800

Will the Peace Corps disqualify me if I have to keep taking my antidepressant during my assignment? I have completed the interview process, received a nomination, and have now moved onto the medical clearance stage.

I have recently begun treating a persistent, low-level depression with 10 mg of Lexapro. My prescribing physician is a psychiatrist, and he does not believe therapy is necessary (in me, the depression manifested itself as a kind of "emotional numbness" rather than sadness and feelings of worthlessness--now that I'm on the Lexapro, I feel much more engaged and take more pleasure in things). I feel great and am confident that my psychiatrist will clear me for service.

Lexapro is approved and available in the part of the world where I have been nominated, although I don't know if it's available in every country in that region.

Mefites, what are my odds?

Is compulsive lying linked with any recognised mental disorders?

UbuRoivas — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 18:27:47 -0800

Is compulsive lying linked with any recognised mental disorders? Over the years, I've known at least half a dozen people who seemed to be 'compulsive liars'. The flavour of lying that I am talking about is not exactly the kind of compulsive lying that I've been finding described on the internet, where people lie constantly about minor things like what they had for lunch. I'm talking about big-ticket & usually self-aggrandising personal histories.

Some examples, culled from various people:

I used to own a card trading shop in Tokyo.

I used to work in a motorcycle repair shop at age 14 & was so good that I was recruited into a pro racing team.

I was brought up in a lesbian squatter commune in East LA.

I was picked for the Australian rock climbing team. It was supposed to be for a pro competition, but they wanted me so much they overlooked by amateur status.

I travelled around the country for years as part of a youth circus.

I grew up in a mission in West Africa.

I used to run international kite-flying competitions.

...and so on. After some time listening to these colourful histories, it eventually becomes clear that there are significant conflicts between the stories, such that the person in question could not possibly have done all those things in their time so far on earth. In some cases, there are a number of totally different stories that account for childhood & teenage years. There are also other apparent contradictions, such that if they had the resources, discipline or skills required to pull off the described feats, then they probably wouldn't be in the somewhat lowly position that they find themselves today.

My working theory is that these things are said in order to cover up a history of abuse, and that the people involved might even have swayed into pathological lying, in which they actually believe their own stories to be true. However, I've been unable so far to find much written about this kind of link (there's a lot of noise out there).

It seems that compulsive/pathological lying is not itself in the DSM-IV, but does anybody know if it is linked with any recognised disorders, or if the child abuse angle is recognised anywhere in the psychiatric / psychological literature?

St. Louis psychiatrist recommendation?

gd779 — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:33:36 -0800

St. Louis psychiatrist referral: I need a referral to an excellent St. Louis-area psychiatrist who specializes in depression and anxiety. A friend of mine is finally interested in going to a psychiatrist to help her deal with her depression and/or anxiety. But she'd like a referral from someone, or else she won't feel comfortable making the first appointment. I'd appreciate any suggestions you can give.

If you need any more detailed information, just ask. Thanks!

How long does a psychiatrist need to diagnose a disorder?

giggleknickers — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:43:36 -0800

Can a psychiatrist diagnose a disorder in five minutes? I've been depressed and anxious all my life, or so I thought. I'm in my twenties, and I finally went to a doctor about it. He spent about five minutes with me, then diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. He told me I'm not depressed because I don't have a low appetite and because I sleep too much instead of too little. I certainly feel depressed, but he said that without those physical symptoms, I'm not.

Is it normal to get a diagnosis this quickly or is something off? A second opinion can get expensive, so I'm trying to work out if it's necessary.

My head's not been shrunk well!

jammer — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 07:11:59 -0800

Can someone recommend a good psychiatrist in the north suburbs of Chicago? Someone near my job in Libertyville with a good understanding of bipolar disorder would be ideal. I'm just not getting along with my current doctor. Email's in my profile if you'd rather respond privately. Thanks.

How do healthcare professionals balance empathy with detachment?

granted — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:19:16 -0800

Doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, health professionals of any and all flavors: how do you dissociate yourselves from the misery, suffering, and death of your patients or clients? I'm seriously contemplating going to medical school to become a psychiatrist. Without going into too much autobiographical detail, the prospect fits in a way no other prospects ever have - the best way I can describe it is that it seems a natural outcome of the way I'd like to live my life anyway, in an ideal world, if that makes any sense at all. I've thought carefully about it, and having the M.D. is very important to me - medical training combined with training in psychotherapy is exactly what I want in graduate study and in a profession.

My biggest concern, though, is that I'm overwhelmingly, almost pathologically, empathetic. Like the most overly sensitive emo bitch you ever saw. Like sobbing uncontrollably when my sister and I stopped the car one time to remove a dead cat from the middle of the road (we hadn't hit it - i can only imagine the hysterics if we had). Like not being able to watch game shows because I feel too bad for the losers. Like still getting spine-chills while remembering mean things I said to people in grade school. Even if I learn to tone this down through therapy or whatever, I'm always going to be a very sensitive person, prone to taking on others' problems as my own.

Obviously, I think empathy is essential in any healthcare profession, but it seems like there needs to be a delicate balance between this and detachment, so that the suffering you face daily does not overwhelm you. And I'm sure the thrill of helping people heal does counterbalance this, but still: how do you deal with this? Does it require extensive psychological acrobatics, or does detachment come naturally over time? How do you avoid ending up a sour, burnt-out alcoholic?

(My own squeamishness is another possibly related concern, but I suspect I'll get over that a couple weeks into my first-year residency, if not sooner, yes?)

How do I talk to my friend, productively, about his drug use and mental state?

LobsterMitten — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 19:22:59 -0800

Friend in trouble: bipolar, taking Zoloft, smoking huge amount of marijuana which exacerbates his mania. He's acting crazy. I'm far away -- how can I help? Especially, how can I support his girlfriend, and convince him to accept treatment and quit the pot? Other advice about treatment for bipolar disorder? I recently saw a good friend for the first time in years -- call him Andy. He was acting amped-up and strange: talking nonstop, repetitively, and often inappropriately; running around; bursting into tears; driving recklessly, etc. He looked exhausted and hadn't slept in days, but kept insisting he was better than he has been in years. I adore Andy and the good parts of his personality are still there, but were masked by this nutso behavior.

Now his longtime girlfriend -- call her Sara -- tells me he is "pre-disposed to bipolar" but is not medicated for that; he's taking Zoloft; and smokes marijuana every other day, or more recently, a couple of times a day. When I saw him he couldn't stop talking about marijuana, even with people who clearly weren't interested or would disapprove (eg older people in the church). She says his no-sleep nonstop-chat behavior has been going for a couple of weeks.

Sara has finally snapped, and insisted that Andy get some psychiatric care. He still insists he doesn't need it, and when he comes back from the doctor, he quotes the doctor as saying things like "Andy doesn't need meds. And pot is completely safe, so Andy should be able to smoke as often as he wants." Uh huh.

I've gotten some quite paranoid and angry emails from him about how everyone is blaming the pot and interfering in his life, and how we should all leave him alone, and if we don't like pot it's just because we don't see how good it is. Even saying something like "I'm worried about you because you seem really overtired" gets an angry and defiant response. So telling him directly how his behavior looks seems like a doomed approach.

I'm worried because if he doesn't get treatment and stays manic I think he will not be able to keep his job, and his very nice girlfriend (whose apartment he lives in) is understandably at the end of her rope. I would hate to see them break up -- because they're a good match, and also because if they broke up there wouldn't be a stable, sane person looking after him.

I live far away. How can I help? How should I talk to him about this? (Esp about how his behavior looks to me, or about quitting the pot.) What advice or resources can I give her? What do you know about manic behavior, or the combination of bipolar disorder and marijuana, or how to snap out of a dependence on marijuana?

For the record: I'm not against pot in general, but it seems to be doing Andy in particular a world of bad. And I know that I can't make an addict quit. But I want to do what I can to help, or at least not make things worse.

Best books about psychotherapy?

shivohum — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 07:26:39 -0800

I want to learn about psychoanalysis/psychotherapy/etc. -- what are the best books? I'm interested, in particular, in modern books that synthesize past learnings in the field; excellent books that detail the practice of what it's like to be a therapist; and anything else you consider highly valuable, educational, and enriching in the field.

Engaging writing is a big plus.

Paint it Black, or just not white

destro — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 14:33:11 -0800

Why are mental institutions and psychiatric wards always painted stark white? It seems like that environment would only precipitate more insanity. At least from my experience, pure white walls have always been unsettling. I undestand why hospitals are stark white, so they can tell when things are dirty and prevent infections, but a mental institution would probably want some color on the walls. Is it a carry-over from hospitals, or is there some theory to this I might be missing?