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Us
Why We Do What We Do
“We like what we do. We see it as a privilege to
do what we do. We study mood disorders. We study bipolar disorder.
We study how mood disorders present early in life and how
they can be best treated. We believe that there are no miracle
pills and that talking with people and helping them learn
how to live with the symptoms of their illness makes a big
difference. We try and come up with new ideas that make a
difference. We think the patient is always right, even when
they are wrong. We are here to make a contribution, to improve
the lives of people and their families who suffer from and
live with mood disorders.”
- Dr. Joseph Calabrese
Our Mission
To identify the causes of Bipolar Disorder and
other mood disorders, to find effective treatment, and to discover
a cure.
Our research is patient-centered. This means we have designed
our research studies to improve the lives of people who choose
to participate in them. Our research focuses on function and
disability, not just symptom improvement.
What If
You had a terrible cough? Or constant, pounding headaches?
You would go to a doctor to get a diagnosis and treatment. Wouldn’t
you? Taking care of your mental health is just as important
as taking care of your body. Calling us could be your first
step to a better life.
What We Can Do For You
If it appears you are eligible for one of our studies, you
will be seen by a physician soon
after you call us. You will get an evaluation and diagnosis
at no cost to you. During the course of the study, you will
receive regular appointments with doctors to monitor your progress
and your response to the medication. Medications and clinical
care are usually at no cost to you.
We hope you will become expert at managing your illness. We
teach you how to manage your symptoms – with regular,
appropriate medication and with education. You’ll get
handouts, track your moods, and keep a life chart. You’ll
learn to recognize what triggers your mood and how to prevent
a relapse.
“We help patients learn about their illness. We
hope those who participate in our studies gain an authoritative
command of their symptoms and how to manage them. They improve
their ability to cope with their illness.”
- Dr. Joseph Calabrese
You will have a family member or a loved one with you for support.
In fact, family member involvement is a requirement of enrolling
in our research program. People who care about you need to learn
about Mood Disorders, too. You get to decide who to bring along.
“Family is a huge focus for us. In
order to qualify for participation in the study, the patient
must initially bring a family member along. The patient is
free to interpret “family” as he or she sees fit.”
- Dr. Joseph Calabrese
What You Can Do For Us
By enrolling in our research study, you will help us:
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Discover more effective drug treatments with fewer side effects.
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Create new ways to manage symptoms, understand triggers, and
educate patients and families about Mood Disorders.
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Develop a more accurate way to diagnose Mood Disorders.
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Find a cure for Mood Disorders.
“We’ve been doing this work in Cleveland
since 1986. Our studies are long-term and fortunately we have
adequate funding to conduct our research. I grew up here and
I plan on staying here for the distance.”
- Dr. Joseph Calabrese
We Thought You Might Say That
“I’m not depressed right now. In fact,
I feel great; I have lots of energy.”
If you have Bipolar Disorder, every high is eventually followed
by a low. We know that for sure. And the depression usually
lasts a lot longer than the elation.
“It can wait. Maybe I’ll feel better
in a few weeks”
Anxiety is the constant companion of people with Mood Disorders.
Anxiety causes people to put things off -- like making an appointment
with a doctor. With treatment, the anxiety disappears. Without
treatment, mood swings are likely to become more frequent and
more severe.
“If I could just get sober, I know I’d
be OK”
The majority of people who abuse drugs or alcohol also have
a mental illness. Getting sober is crucial to recovery, but
it’s not enough. Many patients relapse after rehab because
they’ve treated only one of their illnesses.
Patient Testimonial
(some details changed to conceal identity)
#1 - “I had been having symptoms
for about 10 years. It’s a horrible disease, really.
I’d been taking anti-depressants, but they didn’t
really help. Finally, I was hospitalized, and that’s
when I got the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Now, I understand
the reason for all my disruptive behavior. Since I’ve
been part of the study, I take my medication regularly. My
mood swings are gone and my depression is better – it’s
gone. The staff here is great – very supportive. The
most important thing for other people with Bipolar Disorder
to know is – YOU ARE NOT ALONE.”
#2 - “I could fly around the house
and clean it from top to bottom – in just one day! Then,
for months I would be so depressed I could barely get out
of bed. My doctor sent me over here. I was interviewed and
enrolled in a six-month study. The medication I got really
helped. I began to feel much calmer, not so driven. It’s
a good thing my moods smoothed out because I had some very
hard things to deal with at that time. I did a lot of talking
to the staff and even some crying. That did me a lot of good,
too; everyone here is very understanding.”
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