Thank God this stuff is finally coming to the surface.

At least 4-5 years ago, I found an abstract that stated a theory that Depakote could cause suicidal ideation and took it to my daughter's (then)psychiatrist. She was on Depakote and was agitated, she noted it herself to the doc as well as the increased suicidal thinking.

He wouldn't listen.

Said it "was the symptoms" (of the misdiagnosed childhood bipolar!).

After a decade of being what I can call a "we experienced all of this before black box warnings came out" re: psych meds and my daughter, I only can have hope now that the trials, agony and side effects these drugs did to her will help another child or adult not suffer.

Parents who are medicating their children should really heed my words. You don't want to go down this road.

PS- Philip thank you for this, you probably know how much the news you write here is what has been needed to be heard for years, and I for one am so grateful for the hard work and voice you are giving people like me and my L.

Thanks,
Stephany

You may already know this, but ever wonder why bipolar and epilepsy are treated with the same medications?

When I was at the height of my mania, I was extremely euphoric, I was in such pure heaven, pure bliss -- so outstandingly content with the earth, with the world, with the universe. Profoundly elated.

And then, around the same time, I read a memoir of a man who described his childhood experiences with epilepsy. And it was so fascinating: his experiences right before a seizure, were the EXACT same as mine when I was manic! He was also telling about the 100 percent bliss he was in! How no one else in the history of the universe could feel such a happiness! How his joy and contentment were so outstanding he couldn't even describe.

Isn't that interesting? And now I know why drugs such as Lamictal are used for both.

I'll temporarily break my silence to point out the obvious, prescribing drugs that cause "patients" to want to commit suicide is murder. Surely Gottstein or someone can legally raise this point in regards to AOT. Regardless of what Torrey and ilk my preach, murder is neither an ethical nor a moral way of preventing suicide.

Hi Gwen, you are on a right track for research.

:)

Hi Stephany!!! It's been a while! I hope you and your daughter are doing well. I myself am doing much better. Anyway, enjoy the nice sun!!! And say hello to your daughter for me! :-)

My daughter was so suicidal for so long on Lamictal (for bipolar depression: Right) that she still has no knives in her house. It's been about three years and she is still afraid to have them around, even though she's been off the drug a long time.

Hi Gwen, I'm so glad to read you are doing well! We are too. :) enjoy the summer, isn't it gorgeous now?

Take care,
Stephany