Those of us who have been diagnosed with a mental illness prefer the politically correct phrasing "Neuro Chemically Challenged." At least my support group prefers it.

We of the NCC salute those people and their families for living and coping with their "dragons." The reason we have our illnesses are not related to poor environment, poor diet, hormones or just plain laziness.

We have a chemical imbalance in our brains and the neurons that send neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of the brain) transmit mixed signals. Sometimes the neurons send too many messengers, or not enough, and either way we end up with a problem.

People diagnosed with mental disorders can and do lead normal, healthy lives. . .as long as we stay on our medication. We cannot be "cured" but we can control our symptoms.

I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depressive, and still I am able to drive a car, go to school and any list of daily activities.

The reason I created this web site is to let other people with mental disorders know that we can be productive and creative and contributors to society. In this page are many different links to informational sites. Feel free to use this page as a key to unlocking the mysteries and stigma of mental illness.

One last thought. Many famous people throughout history have been known to have mental disorders--Abraham Lincoln, Beethoven, Van Gogh, Isaac Newton, Michelagelo, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, Vivien Leigh, Patty Duke, John Keats and Tennessee Williams to name a few.

People with mental illnesses enrich our lives.

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We are not lazy--we are not crazy

We are the NCC

NEURO CHEMICALLY CHALLENGED

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THE PAIN OF DEATH

Deep within the soul there lies a pain so real that is sems to come alive like a separate entity.
Yet, there is a kind of hesitancy to acknowledge that it exists for fear that you will lose your sanity in its overwhelming power.
You try to resist, but you know that the only way to save yourself is to give in and let the force of nature bring you back to reality.

Maria C. Lopez
November 12, 2000

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This web site is a work in progress and will feature poems and thoughts that pertain to the subject. I encourage others to submit their writings also.

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* *Schizophrenia, Depression & Bipolar Disorders* *

The Schizophrenia Home Page Best place to start. Basic information aimed at non-medical providers.
Mental Health Infosource Page with information for the care provider, the consumer, or support groups for families. Also, links to many other resources. The BEST place to start for all types of mental health questions.
the Anxiety Panic Resource Page Since 1993 tAPir is an up-to-date resource for internet information on a highly treatable disorder. An excellent starting point.
Building Blocks 110 Another good source for lists of internet links regarding Panic Anxiety.
Pendulum's Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression Depression, schizophrenia, mood swings, mania all part of a Bipolar's day. This page leads to many other web links.
Bipolar Home Pages An internet listing of links to pages maintained by bipolar authors. Also many interesting articles.
Depression Central Textbook diagnosis and classification of depression for the mental health service provider and client. A good reference guide for understanding mental health disorders.
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Dept. of Veterans Affairs website is a starting point for information for this disorder and possible treatments. Another excellent web page for various internet links on PTSD is http://ncptsd.org/links.html.

* * *Other Topics* * *

Disability Links? Benefits for persons diagnosed with mental health disabilities, and resource links.
College students with mental health disability. Do students with a mental disability qualify for "students with disabilities" aid? This is a good article on the subject.
National Institute of Mental Health An informative resource with audio/video graphics--the video on neurotransmitters is very clever and educational.
Dr. C. Everett Koop's website A good website for patients and their families.
The National Mental Health Services Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) offers a toll-free number, an electronic bulletin board, and a World Wide Web site. Free copies of publications on a range of mental health issues are available.
Psychiatric Times Topic Index Mental health related articles arranged in categories by types of mental illness. Dementia, Bipolar, Schizophenia, Alzheimers, Anxiety Panic Disorders and many more.
Ask Dr. Bob Mental health website that answers questions about mental disorders.
Mailing lists on Psychology and Psychiatry E-mail discussion lists on mental health.
Neurotransmitters - how the brain sends messages Using the illustrated story 'GABAs in the 'Hood,' this article gives beginners a look at how messages are transmitted from one nerve cell to the next or to muscles.d
MADNESS An e-mail discussion forum and resource guide for consumers.

* * *Family Support Groups* * *
Facts for Families Family oriented mental health information guide.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) A families support group, can usually help with local contact groups.
Mental Health Resource Internet resource site for mental health questions.
Neurotransmitters - Basic Information Many mental illnesses are caused by problems with neurotransmitters, and many psychiatric drugs act on these chemicals and their receptors. Here are links to basic information about the neurotransmission process.
Psychiatric Times Topic Index Mental health related articles and other materials for education purposes.

* *Medication and Pharmacology Information Sites* *
Medication: A Difficult Decision What to do when you're confused about taking medication for anxiety disorders, from your About.com Guide.
Psychiatry, SSRI's, Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft Luvox, Effexor, Serzone, Anafranil, SSRI drugs: prozac, paxil, zoloft, luvox, effexor, serzone, anafranil and the diet pills - fenfluramine, fen-phen and redux. Also information on add, anafranil, antidepressants and possible side effects.
Psychiatric Medications Contains drug databases, advice on new drugs, and other psychopharmacology resources.
Prescription Drugs A comprehensive list of prescription drugs, their uses, dosages and possible side effects.



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A Little Humor
A man goes to his psychiatrists office wearing only saran wrap underwear. The psychiatrist says, "I can clearly see you're nuts."

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Start every morning by eating a live frogand the rest of the day nothing worse can happen.

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