Yes, let's all write to bipolar.guide@about.com and complain about the censorship - - couldn't hurt!

The beauty of asking all sides to come into the discussion is that it will show grace and dignity, integrity and respect for everyone who suffers in whatever way, and for whatever reason from mental illness. Pain knows no boundaries. It is painful to live with mental agonies and it is painful to watch those we love suffer the indignities and agonies from a distance. Like me. I struggle. I beat a big ass battle of my own these last few weeks and it was not easy. All the while watching my dear young daughter who does suffer the worst: 24/7 psychosis. This steals so much, from so many. It is a battleground. It shouldn't feel like one when we all want the same thing.
I like the uncluttered feel this blog layout has to it, I would rather see more paintings, and do a tipjar via paypal if needed. Blinking and flashing lights give me a headache.

Hi, Philip. Before we set up Andy as some kind of First Amendment hero, let's keep in mind that prior to when this whole thing blew up Andy was a spokesperson for Bristol-Myers Squibb, makers of Abilify.

You can view him on video touting the product here:
http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/12405/consumer.shtml

Andy entered the Sarah Ferguson-Weight Watchers product endorsement game. I don't know if he got paid, but he definitely benefitted from the free publicity for his book. His first Abilify article - when the stuff was working - reads like an infomercial. Yes, I'm glad he had the integrity to say the stuff no longer worked for him, but - hello? - he was their mouthpiece, they get to call the shots, not him. He's the one who decided to swim with the sharks.

I'm not defending About.com, but I'm sure Kimberly and Marcia had a lot of explaining to do to head office when Bristol-Myers Squibb threatened to pull their ads.

Okay, I write a blog for a site that has Seroquel ads plastered all over the place, and your day job involves a weekly that probably has ads you don't approve of. My website and newsletter are free of ads, but if a drug company were to underwrite a speaking tour for me to promote my book I would jump on it.

But the bottom line is neither one of us would ever personally endorse a pharmaceutical product, for money or otherwise.

I know Andy. I've met him several times and have been in email correspondence with him for years. I was the first to review Electroboy. I feel sad that his Abilify isn't working and has left him in a distressed state. I hate what this illness does to people, and fervently hope he gets better soon.

Also, I think I know Andy well enough to say he deserves our support. He is an important voice, and I look forward to hearing more from him. Basically, Andy had a lapse in judgment, but we all screw up, and we learn from our screw-ups.

To Andy: No product placements in your Electroby movie, okay?

With all due respect:

(and the love of a good discussion to further more discussion I speak)

I am sure I do not belong in this discussion, but actually, I just might.(belong)
I really feel, that due to the possibility of censorship, that could be based on a company that once sponsored or paid a person, is really bad.
If I wrote a book.Hmmm. If anyone did underwriting, promoting, or paid for my airfare to promote my work, better the hell have my integrity. MY integrity, and that means not just what the public sees, but behind the scenes, the company pretty much better be my own in idea, thought, concern and integrity. Integrity is the most important word here.
That being said, any pharm company that 'may have' censored, or withheld information, (hello antidepressant warnings) is just not worthy of my company.
About.com is just an example of greasing that squeaky wheel. I do not believe in promoting products for cash and carry, and this is about censorship by a company who basically got their dues paid. Once a med did not seem to appear to be the end all be all, and someone reported in on that, I really want to focus on the censorship of this topic. Andy should have been able to be the Sarah F of weight watchers,(and report in that he gained weight without censorship) and honestly reported in to the public what really happened without repercussion.
I have the same ability to write a book. I have been approached to write a book.
If that were ever to happen, I would want the same high standards and integrity for promotion that I have for myself, otherwise, it would be walking in tennis shoes alone to give the book away for free. I will agree that I hope there are no identifiable products in the movie for what reason? because we do not want to endorse? what? I feel the general public would never know half the crap they do about mental illness and the meds involved if it wasnt for 'ER' or 'Girl Interrupted'. Let them see the bottles. Names included. Behind the scenes, and paychecks written what is the difference??
Underwriting. Ok so end up on Oprah on Abbott's tab. Go for it. Just remember who wrote the book.

Hi, Stephany. Here's the dilemma. Andy and I are not Anne Coulter the Nazi babe. Her publisher promotes her book like crazy and she gets on all the talk shows where she gets to show off her legs and spout the kind of venom that gives human beings a bad name. No one tells her what to say, though I wish someone would.

Andy and I (and you) are largely on our own. My book (when it comes out in October) won't sell if I sit on my cute butt in New Jersey. I need to be booking speaking engagements around the country, and guess whose pocket that comes out of? Not the publisher. Now I don't expect any drug company to approach me with a blank check, but if one of them makes me an attractive proposal I will consider it very carefully. A couple of years ago GSK underwrote a road show for Lizzie Simon. I'm sure Lizzie didn't come across as a spokesperson for Lamictal.

I'm not talking abstract principles here. I spend about 60 hours a week researching and writing about mood disorders. If no money came in I would be working at Stop and Shop,instead, probably for better pay and certainly better benefits. Six years worth of research went into my book, and I'm actually crazy enough to think it will benefit humanity, so yes I want financial backing to get the word out.

The book is already written. No one influenced it or told me what to write (not even my editor). Frederick Goodwin MD, after it was written, endorsed it and wrote me an excellent review.

So if a drug company says we'll pay your airfare and hotel bills, guess what? That's no big deal. It's my book, not theirs. If they were to tell me what to say at a speaking engagement, that's different. No way.

Re About.com - I hate to see Marcia and Kimberley getting punished for what was almost certainly a corporate decision. Their site is an invaluable resource, the product of years of dedicated effort. Boycotting them only harms us. Yes, About.com is a big corporate asshole, but let's get over it and move on.