The
Margaret Botterell Bipolar Project
Margaret Botterell can tell you what it's like to live with clinical
depression and mood swings. For more than 75 years, she's endured recurrent
bouts of this unrelenting illness. She knows the toll it takes on the
sufferer and her loved ones.
Now, thanks to Mrs. Botterell, the CAMH is launching a pilot program
aimed at early intervention in the treatment of the illness.
The Margaret Botterell Bipolar Project, which builds on previous research
funded by the Ontario Mental Health Foundation, will teach family doctors
to recognize the early indicators of this disorder, enabling them to intervene
promptly and avert the crises which often end up in emergency rooms. At
the same time it will provide a six-month outpatient treatment program
for patients of these family doctors. Once the research from this feasibility
study is complete, it is hoped that the program will be replicated on
a larger scale, offering new hope to those with bipolar disorder across
Canada, and perhaps internationally.
The project is funded by a $100,000 contribution from Mrs. Botterell.
An even greater gift, perhaps, is her courageous decision to put her
name on the project, making her struggle public and encouraging others
who share her illness.
Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic depression, is named because of
the opposite 'poles' of emotion experienced by sufferers -- spikes of
euphoria followed by of troughs of depression. Both extremes can be dangerous.
Individuals experiencing mania often indulge in risky behaviour, such
as reckless driving. During the low periods, despair can be so profound
that life seems not worth living. The suicide rate for bipolar individuals
is very high -- 15 per cent.
Mrs. Botterell, 94, suffered her first episode of clinical depression
in her adolescence in Winnipeg. Now a Kingston resident, she says she's
managed to cope largely because of the love and support of her two daughters
and husband of 61 years (now deceased). As well, she credits her strength
of character and constitution to the genes of her Scottish pioneer grandfather
-- a Red River settler, as well as those of her Irish forbears on her
mother's side who immigrated to Qu'Appelle, Manitoba.
Margaret Botterell's generosity has made possible a program that will
likely prevent much suffering. She hopes that her example will encourage
other sufferers to talk openly about the disorder and reduce the cruel
stigma associated with mental illness.
By Jean Geary, CAMH Foundation
Clients
are asking...
What is music therapy?
"I have been diagnosed with a mood disorder and I heard that
listening to music and singing can be therapeutic. How do I find out more
about this?"
The editor responds, with assistance from Anthony DiGiacomo, a music
therapist at the Centre:
Thanks for your interest in learning more about music therapy, which
has been used for many years as an adjunct to the treatment for all kinds
of health concerns, including mental illness.
Music therapy can be described as the prescribed, skillful use of music
and musical elements by a trained music therapist to promote, maintain
and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. When a client
works with a music therapist, that client can learn to use music as a
way to explore the self and to express thoughts and feelings creatively.
Music therapists use the nonverbal, creative, structural and emotional
qualities of music to build a therapeutic relationship in which the client
can explore and express the self.
A few different ways in which music can be used in individual or group
sessions are: singing, songwriting, improvising, listening or moving to
music.
Here at the Centre, music therapist Anthony DiGiacomo works with clients
with a wide variety of backgrounds and diagnosis. His typical workday
might include working one-on-one with a client diagnosed with schizophrenia
on making links between symptoms and the words used when writing songs
or assisting a newly-diagnosed outpatient in using music as a medium for
expressing emotion.
In order to participate in music therapy, clients do not need to be musicians,
or even musically inclined. "Clients do not have to be musicians
to benefit from music therapy, music is solely the medium of expression,"
says Anthony. "The success of the therapy comes from the client's
relationship with the therapist, how the client works through the therapeutic
process." As such, participation in music therapy is open to any
Centre client who has a genuine interest in exploring music as part of
their treatment.
As part of Centralized Services, Music Therapy Services is one of several
programs at CAMH that uses creativity as a tool in the healing process.
"Creative arts therapists (i.e., music therapists, art therapists,
etc.) can assist the client in making a tangible connection to the outside
world," says Anthony. "Success in music therapy, as in any other
therapy, can be realized if a client is able to learn about him or her
self in the sessions and can carry that knowledge into their life outside
the sessions."
Clients can refer themselves or be referred by their staff to Music Therapy
Services. Services are offered both at the Clarke and the Queen Street
sites. To learn more about music therapy, please call Anthony DiGiacomo
at (416) 535-8501 ext. 2826.
How do I quit smoking?
"It was hard for me to stop drinking but I did it. Now my doctor
thinks I should try to quit smoking. But I've been smoking since I was
a teenager and it's too hard for me to stop. Also, my husband smokes too
so even when I try to quit, it only works for a few days, then I am back
at it. What can I do about this?"
Wayne Charles H.S.C., Therapist, Nicotine Dependence Clinic responds:
First of all, congratulations on thinking of quitting! That is the first
step in the right direction. If you want to quit smoking, you will need
two things at the very start: the first one is the decision to quit, and
next is the plan to follow it through.
A lot of people make the decision to quit, but do not have a plan, so
they usually stop and use 'will power' and 'white knuckle' the rest. The
unfortunate part is that although this method does work at the outset,
it doesn't work for very long because coping skills to deal with stress,
cravings, boredom, and the psychological and ritualistic aspect of smoking
are not in place.
Imagine this: if you smoke a pack a day (25 cigarettes) and inhale an
average of 12 to 15 puffs per cigarette, this works out to about 300 hand-to-mouth
repetitions per day, totaling in one year almost 110,000 unconscious,
subliminal, repetitions -- a staggering amount. Now if you combine this
with smoking when you are stressed out, say about work, your kids, bills,
your parents, and you quit smoking and have no coping skills... well,
there can only be one outcome: smoking to deal with the stress. Having
a back-up plan to deal with this is essential and the Nicotine Dependence
Clinic can help you to plan, deal and cope with everything that comes
with quitting.
Believe it or not there are benefits to smoking. Smoking allows you to
take a five-minute break and deal with what ever stress is at hand. This
gives you permission to calm down and take a look and evaluate your problem.
It also gives you relief from anxiety and helps deal with depression.
Some people use smoking for weight control as nicotine is a stimulant
that helps kill hunger pains and suppresses appetite.
Smoking can be also a social lubricant: it makes meeting new people a
bit easier. Yet it also helps makes escape easy when you need to get away
from a situation you find unpleasant by choosing to 'go have a smoke.'
Smoking can be used as a reward for finishing a project; and people also
smoke to help concentrate when starting difficult tasks.
Unfortunately, these 'benefits' aren't really benefits at all when it
comes to your health. So how do you quit in the face of all these obstacles?
Some people quit smoking by using nicotine replacements, of which there
are several on the market such as the 'patch,' a type of adhesive plaster
which slowly releases a steady supply of nicotine in the blood stream.
There are NicorettesŁ, which are chewed and parked between the gums and
cheek for a more deliberate release of nicotine for instant cravings.
Another option is Zyban, a pill that you take daily which cuts down the
cravings and desire to smoke but does not contain nicotine.
There are other medications such as nortriptyline and clonidine that
help smokers quit that your doctor can prescribe. These or other special
formulations of oral nicotine replacement may be preferable for people
unable to chew gum due to dental problems.
What to do about family members that aren't supportive?
Your family may or may not be supportive of your efforts to quit. You
can ask them to be supportive and let them know that they should not take
your smoking or your desire to quit personally; it has nothing to do with
them. Family members don't have to feel responsible for your smoking or
any setbacks. It is our job to help you with the cravings, support and
back-up plans. Another point to remember is that relapse is normal in
the beginning, so no one should be too quick to judge. Please remember
that most people don't stop on the first try.
If your partner is the one quitting, you can express your confidence in
his or her ability to keep moving forward if setbacks happen. Your support
may encourage them to keep trying until success is achieved. If you smoke,
you can show support for them by smoking outside the home, and not in
front of them which may be seen as a test of their will power.
Most people think smoking is just a bad habit but it's more than that.
Chewing your nails -- now that is a bad habit, but smoking is a legitimate
addiction. It comes complete with withdrawal, cravings, irritability,
frustration, being short tempered, an inability to concentrate -- and
more. The withdrawal is real as nicotine is a highly addictive drug. This
is where the nicotine replacements come in handy to make the withdrawal
more manageable and a bit easier to deal with.
No one said that quitting would be easy but it is well worth the effort.
To learn more about the Nicotine Dependence Clinic, or to join our program,
please call me at (416) 535-8501 ext. 6370.
Help for families
When someone is struggling with problems related to substance use, it
can be a difficult time for their family too. Family members are often
unsure of how to approach their loved ones to let them know they are worried
about their drug or alcohol use.
If substance use escalates, family functioning may be affected in many
ways. Relationships, parenting, finances and employment are some of the
areas where things may begin to deteriorate. Even if someone chooses to
go for treatment, family members may wonder how they can be supportive
of recovery while still maintaining appropriate boundaries. As well, they
struggle with their own conflicting responses of anger, frustration, worry
and helplessness.
Clinical experience and research have shown that family involvement in
addiction treatment can be helpful in keeping people involved in treatment.
As well, family members are often the first to call for information and
support around substance use, and are looking for guidance for themselves
and for the person they are concerned about.
In response to this, the Family Service was formed as part of the Centre's
Addiction Program to offer family members and clients a more complete,
holistic service as part of their involvement in addiction treatment at
CAMH. The program offers family members different types of support and
counseling and assists them in reviewing options for themselves and their
loved one. The Family Service is available at the ARF and Donwood sites
and is open to family members whether the person with the substance abuse
problem is in treatment at the Centre or not.
In addition to reaching out directly to family members, the Family Service
also helps clients, with a goal of creating an awareness of the benefits
of family involvement and improved family functioning. Sessions in clients
programs address the affects of substance use on the family, and ways
this can be addressed through treatment. Couple and family counseling
is also offered, to help address the conflict and breakdown in relationships
that may have occurred as a result of substance use.
Including family members in addiction treatment can be an important part
of recovery, greatly increasing the chances of a successful outcome. Offering
services directly to family members has also been an initiative, in keeping
with client-centered care, part of the CAMH strategic plan. For more information
on the Family Service, please call Joanne Shenfeld at (416) 535-8501 ext.
6765. We're here to help.
Gloria Chaim is Clinical Director, Addiction Treatment Program for Special
Populations. Joanne Shenfield is Service Manager for the Family Service,
Addiction Programs.
Community
Resources
Emerging into Light Gallery
The Emerging into Light
Gallery is a web site dedicated to celebrating resilience and recovery.
It's a place to celebrate victories, share sorrows and honour heroes.
Original stories, art, fiction or poetry are welcome
Emerging Into Light focuses on inclusion of people who have mental illness
as part of our community, rather than on the implied negative message
of 'anti-stigma.' People who have been affected by mental health issues
are encouraged to share and celebrate their stories and struggles. To
learn more, please visit <www.cmha.ca/emergingintolight/>
Creative Works Studio
Creative Works Studio is a community art and economic development program
that promotes wellness. It is coordinated in conjunction with St. Michael's
Hospital and is targeted for a diverse inner city population.
The artists who come here include people with long-term medical or mental
illness, those in poverty, women at risk, the homeless and marginally-housed,
those who are isolated and elderly, and people who are dealing with addictions.
To participate in the studio or to learn more, call Isabel Frysberg at
(416) 867-7460 ext. 8306.
SHOW Gallery
The SHOW gallery is a non-profit, privately-funded gallery designed to
display therapeutic art from groups or individuals in the Toronto area.
SHOW provides free display space for up to one month to any local group,
institution or individual interested in displaying their session-produced
art.
If you are interested in helping, would like to book SHOW time or want
more information, please call Marie Duke at (416) 533-4276
Fire & Reason
Fire & Reason is
a series of 'zines or literary journals that brings together powerfully
written and visually creative work by young people who struggle with depression
or manic depression. To learn about submitting your work or subscribing
to the publication, visit the website at <www.fireandreason.com>
or write to:
Fire & Reason
P.O. Box 99099
1245 Dupont Street
Toronto, ON M6H 4H7
<fire_reason@yahoo.com>
Editor's
note
Last month, my partner came home one day with a very old piano. Good
for him I think, as he learned to play when he was young. But what use
is it to me, I ask myself, as I sit on the hard bench and start to tap
out a tentative and unmelodic version of 'Row, row, row your boat.'
As I hear the notes bouncing around the room, I realize it's fun to make
noise, even though I have no idea how to play the piano. Within minutes,
I have invented a silly song about my cat that has me giggling and feeling
like a kid again. Hey, I think, this could be fun but quickly remind myself
that I'm no piano player. Without lessons, I had better keep my piano
playing under wraps.
It didn't take me long to realize I was stopping myself from doing something
fun because I wasn't musical. Musicians make music, not me. Truth is,
it's quite common to think that unless we can be good at something, especially
something creative, there is no point in doing it at all. So we don't
wear flowers in our hair, don't sing along with the radio and don't pick
up a pencil to sketch a bowl of lemons on the kitchen table because we
think that being creative is, well, for artists and what were we thinking
anyway?
The fact is we are all creative. From the things we wear, to the music
we like, we are always expressing what makes us unique. Indeed, our very
lives are creations as we invent them as we go along. The creative spirit
lives in all of us. More importantly, using our creativity helps us heal.
Studies have shown that people who paint, sing, tinker with an instrument
or plant gardens feel better and are healthier than those who don't.
Recognizing the healing properties of creativity, the Centre offers a
wide variety of creative programs to help clients grow, learn and heal.
From music and art therapy to crafts and gardening programs, there are
opportunities for all clients to incorporate creative expressions into
their treatment programs. If you have a genuine desire to be creative,
don't let your lack of experience or skill hold you back. Holding ourselves
back from exploring all that we are serves no purpose other than to keep
us silent and afraid.
I may never learn to play anything other than a nursery rhyme on the
piano, but if that's what makes me feel good, then that is all that matters.
As always, let us know what's on your mind. Contact me at (416) 535-8501
ext. 6663 or by e-mail at <lisa_schmidt@camh.net>.
Please stay tuned for the next issue of Breakthrough, due in September
2002. If you would like to have Breakthrough sent to you, please forward
your name and address to the editor at <lisa_schmidt@camh.net>
or call (416) 535-8501 ext. 6663.
Breakthrough is published by the Public
Affairs Unit of the Communications, Education and Community Health
Department at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Editor/writer/designer: Lisa Schmidt <lisa_schmidt@camh.net>
Editorial advisory committee: Chris Whittaker, Tami Stransky and AJ Sainsbury
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Breakthrough
Winter 2001 PDF 657 KB
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