Spring 2012

Feature Stories

The role of family in treatment, By Melissa Churly
Throughout the 17 years that Steve Miller struggled with his illness, there was one thing he could always count on: his family. Research has shown that having a strong support network of family and friends plays a crucial role in helping a person with a mental illness achieve a positive outcome and recovery.

Choosing the right mental health professional, by Jennifer Pellegrini
The doctor-patient relationship is one of the most important professional relationships in a person’s life. It is one that must be forged out of absolute trust and honesty and requires respect on both sides. That is especially important for individuals who are seeking a doctor to help them deal with a mental illness. So how should you go about finding a psychiatrist?

Medication-Following the doctor’s orders, By Michelle Morra-Carlisle
Of the many therapeutic and lifestyle methods of treating a serious mental illness, medication is crucial in controlling psychosis. For many it is a godsend—yet an estimated 40 to 90 percent of patients with schizophrenia don’t take it as prescribed, which almost guarantees a relapse.

Medication tolerance- By Mary Medland
Can a patient develop a tolerance to his or her antipsychotic medication, thereby decreasing its effectiveness? The short answer, most mental health professionals agree, is no.