Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts
Showing posts with label depression. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

News: ADHD Can Cause Lifelong Problems, Study Finds - US News and World Report

ADHD Can Cause Lifelong Problems, Study Finds


Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder that persists into adulthood may affect physical and mental health


If children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, continue to have the condition in adulthood, a new study suggests that they may face an array of physical and mental health issues.
The study, which spanned more than 30 years, found that people who had ADHD as teens and adults face a greater risk of stress, work problems, financial troubles, physical health issues and additional mental health issues, such as depression or antisocial personality disorder.  
They also had difficulty in terms of work and experienced a great deal of financial stress.  82 percent higher odds of having impaired physical health. They were also more than twice as likely to have another mental health problem
 The study included 551 children. Seventy-two of those children were diagnosed with ADHD in 1975 when they were between the ages of 14 and 16. The researchers followed up with the children as they grew, and the final of five outcome surveys was given at an average age of 37.

ADHD Study - US News and World Report 

Monday, September 3, 2012

License Exam: Assessment and Diagnosis - Treatment Planning (11%)

Assessment and Diagnosis, Treatment Planning (11%)


 http://bpd.about.com/od/glossary/g/DSM.htm
http://bipolar.about.com/cs/faqs/f/faq_dsm.htm

MULTIAXIAL DIAGNOSIS

In the DSM-IV-TR system, an individual is diagnosed on five different domains, or "axes."  The multi-axial system in DSM-IV-TR was developed in part in order to capture more of the complexity surrounding psychiatric conditions.
Axis I: Clinical Disorders: Major psychiatric disorders are diagnosed on Axis I. For example, major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder disorders of learning, and developmental disabilities.   Axis I tends to be reserved for major disorders that are thought to be somewhat episodic
Axis II: Personality Disorders or Mental Retardation: these are thought to be longer-standing conditions of thinking and behavior that are typically present before age 18.  For example, personality disorders and Mental retardation (or MR).  These are chronic conditions separated from Axis I conditions in order to allow them to be highlighted
Axis III: Medical or Physical Conditions: Axis III is reserved for medical or physical conditions that may affect or be affected by mental health issues.  For example, if someone has cancer, and their illness and treatment are affecting their mental health, that would be important information to be conveyed in the diagnosis.
Axis IV: Contributing Environmental or Psychosocial Factors: Often, a psychiatric diagnosis happens in the context of major environmental or social stressors. For example, job loss, divorce, financial problems, or homelessness.
Axis V: Global Assessment of Functioning: The GAF is a number between 0 and 100 which is meant to indicate level of functioning, or a person's ability to engage in adaptive daily living.  Lower scores indicate lower functioning. 

Click here for the Expanded text on Multiaxial Diagnosis

 Axis I is reserved for clinical disorders and developmental and learning disorders. Disorders that may be present on Axis I include:

Axis II is for personality disorders or mental retardation. Disorders that may appear on Axis II include:
Axis III is for medical and/or physical conditions or disorders. For example:
Axis IV indicates factors contributing to, or affecting, the current psychiatric disorder and treatment outcomes. These include:
  • Lack of an adequate support system
  • Social issues
  • Educational problems
  • Problems with work
  • Financial difficulties
  • Legal problems
  • Other psychosocial and environmental problems
Axis V is for the GAF or global assessment functioning. This is a 100-point scale that the mental health professional uses to describe the patient’s overall level of performance in usual daily activities and social, occupational, academic and interpersonal functioning.
Source:
American Psychiatric Association. "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text revision" 2000 Washington, DC: Author.  

DSM Decision Trees for Differential Diagnosis

The purpose of these decision trees is to aid the clinician in understanding the organization and hierarchical structure of the DSM-IV Classification. Each decision tree starts with a set of clinical features. When one of these features is a prominent part of the presenting clinical picture, the clinician can follow the series of questions to rule in or rule out various disorders.
I. Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders Due to a General Medical Condition
II. Differential Diagnosis of Substance-Induced Disorders
III. Differential Diagnosis of Psychotic Disorders
IV. Differential Diagnosis of Mood Disorders
V. Differential Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorders
VI. Differential Diagnosis of Somatoform Disorders
Click here for expanded text on Differential Diagnosis

Mental/Behavioral Health DISORDERS


Mood and Anxiety Disorders

 http://ptsd.about.com/od/ptsdbasics/a/PTSDoverview.htm

http://depression.about.com/od/whatisdepression/tp/facts.htm

Personality Disorders


The DSM-IV-TR states that Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is an Axis II disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and emotions/affects. The diagnostic criteria for BPD is that it is manifested by 5 or more symptoms, such as inappropriate, intense anger, fear of abandonment, impulsive self-damaging behaviors, suicidal threats and gestures, and chronic feelings of emptiness. People with BPD may have a tendency to themselves and others as all good or all bad, with no grey areas; this is termed “splitting.”

http://bpd.about.com/od/relatedconditions/a/Narcissistic-Personality-Disorder.htm


AUTISM
http://autism.about.com/od/whatisautism/a/symptoms.htm




Tuesday, June 19, 2012

NPR Audio: Coping With College And Mental Illness

Entering College (with Autism, ADHD, and Depression)

 An Autistic Student's Journey To College : NPR

On Morning Edition, a great story about managing in college when one is diagnosed with mental health issues.  In this story, a student entering college talks about registering with Disability Services on-campus when he's dealt with several long-term illnesses from a young age.  He mentions planning to register with the office, even though he doesn't feel as if he needs services now -- he wants them to know that he comes with diagnoses and that now at the school.

It's smart to register because you get to learn about possible services that can be of immense help and you also have a contact to guide you through the process, who can also step in if   They talk about making the transition from home to school and necessary steps they need to take to make his experience successful.

Many students either don't know they have a mental/behavioral health disorder, or are in the dark about how to get help or the fact that they deserve support int he form of accommodations.  However, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that a wide variety of accommodations are available for people with all types of disabilities (or, rather, different abilities from the majority) that help everyone to exist on more level playing field, and, in effect, increasing social justice in our culture.

Too often, work flow proceeds in a traditional way that no one questions because they have no trouble following those practices.  It's always been (done) that way?  But, discerning critical thinkers realize that these are just as socially created as "work" is itself.  There are a million different ways to do most tasks and to be productive.  Using the resources offered by the ADA is a way of celebrating the rights of all people, even those in the majority as far as abilities go.


Saturday, March 10, 2012

Lifehacker: Breakfast in a mug in one minute (and why are we only giving it ONE minute?)

Make Breakfast in a Mug in Just One MinuteWell, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.  I think so many of us just don’t have the time, or maybe we aren’t hungry, yet?  I think caffeine in the coffee has a lot to do with suppressing the appetite when you get started with it early every morning.  I find that my appetite doesn’t come around until 10am after having coffee. Anyway, the evils of coffee and caffeine, no matter how good they taste, aren’t the point of this post.  The positive, that breakfast is important, healthy, and yes necessary, is the point. 

Here’s an article on Lifehacker.com that talks about how to do it quickly.  As mentioned, you can add any numbers of ingredients to spruce up the meal and make it even more healthy.  Getting something in your stomach in the mornings is putting you ahead of the game, anyway, though!

Interestingly, though, the comments part of the article is (as usual) one of the most interesting things about it,  There’s a debate about whether or not reducing breakfast to one minute means that we seriously need to consider how packed, filled, and fast-paced our lives has become.  This is what I am putting my money – we need reset our priorities when it comes down to needing tips like this, eh?  It’s not that we don’t want to do things that are quick and easy, but there’s something to be said for Quality of Life and taking our time with such essential things as our health and having healthy bodies and minds.

So, here’s my compromise:  I was a cook in the Army and have been cooking for 25 years.... I liked this idea enough to read the article, but the commenters are mostly right I think.  I don't seem to have time to eat in the mornings.  It does ONLY take two minutes to cook an egg in a pan and it tastes better.  Many here have mentioned cleaning the pan and how long that takes, but for my life it makes sense to simply put the pan back into the oven (with the spatula as well) so that you can take it out again the next day or the day after.  Wash it once a week, at most.  Either cast-iron, or non-stick, you're only talking about some oil left in the pan, which doesn't mean it's "dirty."  And, it doesn't go bad or make you sick.  So, that's even easier. 

As an after thought, I just want to add here that for my life, I want to be more healthy, eat the breakfast even if I’m not hungry – or, at least, change some things so that a normal hunger is what I wake up with!  so, maybe it’s time to prioritize things like rest, going to sleep earlier, trying to resist the natural inclination of a student to stay up later and later at night.  The morning is such a beautiful and peaceful time.  The night can be peaceful, too, so I vacillate between which is more peaceful.  The point is that I need and love peace and quiet.  I need to move to the woods :-)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Occupy Boston: MassEquality Statement In Support


reprinted from MassEquality's website

MassEquality Statement In Support of Occupy Boston

 BOSTON, October 6, 2011—The LGBT community is disproportionately represented among those who are victims of the nation’s ongoing economic crisis. We are the un- and underemployed. We are the un- and underinsured. We are the homeless and under-housed. And we are disproportionately impacted by government-sanctioned discrimination and denial of resources and protections.
If any group understands the plight of the 99% given voice by Occupy Boston, it’s the Commonwealth’s LGBT 6.5%:
  • 25 to 40% of our homeless, unaccompanied youth are LGBT. Of those, 73% are homeless and unaccompanied because their families rejected them.[i] Among all LGBT youth in Massachusetts, youth are four times more likely than their heterosexual peers to attempt suicide and that likelihood doubles when their families reject them.
  • 15% of transgender respondents in Massachusetts to a national survey reported a household income of less than $10,000 compared to just 3% of the general population. And 90% reported experiencing harassment and discrimination in employment, 20% reported that they had lost a job due to anti-transgender bias,  and 14% reported being refused medical care because of their gender identity. Attempted suicide is a public health crisis – 22 times the rate of the general population. [ii]
  • Federal law expressly denies legally married same-sex couples access to spousal social security and other health, tax, immigration and retirement-related protections for families.
  • The mere fact of living as an LGBT person in Massachusetts correlates to higher stress and poorer health outcomes.[iii]
“Occupy Boston is giving voice to Massachusetts residents who are suffering as a result of the economic crisis. That includes tens of thousands of LGBT residents,” said MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini, Esq. “The stereotype that the LGBT community is wealthy and privileged is a myth. The assumption that winning the freedom to marry ended anti-LGBT discrimination and disadvantage is flat out wrong. The fact is, our community continues to disproportionately suffer from discrimination, economic uncertainty, and stigma – some of it, government-sanctioned. MassEquality strongly calls on lawmakers to promptly enact four legislative reforms that would immediately ease the suffering experienced by our community.”
MassEquality urges Massachusetts lawmakers to take the following four actions:
1. Pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill, which would prohibit discrimination against transgender people.This bill would cost Massachusetts nothing, but would level the playing field while saving the state millions in public assistance benefits and lost taxes.
2. Pass “An Act Providing Housing and Support Services for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth.”
3. Pass “An Act Relative to Bullying in Schools,” filed by Attorney General Martha Coakley to amend the state’s anti-bullying law to include explicit protections for LGBT youth in schools.[iv]
4. Pass “An Act to Promote Equity in Pension Benefits,” which would fix a technicality in the state pension system that impacts state university employees who selected their pension retirement plan before they were permitted to legally marry.

MassEquality works to ensure that every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person in Massachusetts is protected from cradle to grave—with equal rights and opportunities in school, in marriage and family life, at work and in retirement.


[i] Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;American Journal of Public Health
[ii]National Transgender Discrimination Survey
[iii] DPH study
[iv] As MassEquality noted in its testimony before the Commission on Bullying Prevention, it is well documented that LGBT students and those who have LGBT parents are among the most frequent targets of bullying in schools.

Monday, July 25, 2011

The Guardian | Amy Winehouse: Why is there so little understanding of addiction? | Tanya Gold

amy winehouse messages
Amy Winehouse: Why is there so little understanding of addiction?

Winehouse walked barefoot through the streets because that is where the drugs were, and even as her bewildered face splatters across the front pages, drug support charities are closing, expendable in this era of thrift.

And she died for nothing because she thought she was nothing.

Not that we will learn; the beehive was too high, the eyes too photogenically tormented, the voice too beautiful. Her new album will be released and it will sell 10 million copies, maybe more. And there, reader, is your meaning. The addict is dead.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Resiliency Discussion by Dr. Joan Borysenko with Cheryl Richardson

Listen and download the podcast here!

Listen to Special Guests | Cheryl Richardson: "Monthly Telegathering with Dr. Joan Borysenko November 30, 2009. The book is called It’s Not the End of the World: Developing Resilience in Times of Change. Hear the extraordinary story of how Joan found resilience after a family tragedy, and was able to shift gears and begin a whole new line of work that has helped thousands of people. And, learn how to develop this kind of powerful resilience, too!"

Dr. Borysenko points out that resilience research shows some components of resiliency come from the characteristics of:

1. Realism
  • Have you ever thought that maybe a pessimist is a disappointed optimist or idealist?
  • "Pessimist complain about the wind. Optimists expect the wind to change. Realists adjust the sails."
  • Optimists tend to possess very little resiliency.

2. Faith
An openness to live in the moment.

3. Creativity

Saturday, March 27, 2010

General Social Work Resources


social work - general

One Economy Corporation | One Economy
Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index
Internet Social Worker | Welcome | Why do this tutorial?
The New Social Worker Online Blog
JOBS4social work
About.com Statistics help
Periodicals and E-Books Directory
Critical Social Work - Volume 1, No. 1
Feminist Theories & Social Work - EBSCOhost: Publications: 2514
Global Perspectives of Occupational Social Work - EBSCOhost: Publications: 251N
Homosexuality & Social Work. EBSCOhost: Publications: 252M
Human Sexuality, Ethnoculture & Social Work. EBSCOhost: Publications: 252P
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work. EBSCOhost: Publications: 1GW8
Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work. EBSCOhost: Publications: 86M
Journal of Social Work Practice. EBSCOhost: Publications: 56H
Journal of Social Work Research & Evaluation. EBSCOhost: Publications: RIJ
IUC Journal of Social Work Theory and Practice
Principles of Social Work Practice. EBSCOhost: Publications: 253K
Research on Social Work Practice. EBSCOhost Electronic Journals Service
Can “Precious” be a Teaching Tool? | Social Workers Speak
Dogs Help Clients Express Themselves in Therapy | Social Workers Speak
NASW Practice Standards
NASW Lunchtime Series
NASW Practice section
NASW Code of Ethics (English and Spanish)
NASW Assurance Services - School Social Work Liability Insurance
NASW Social Work Career Center
NASW Student Center
NASW Studt Center for Press
NASW WebEd
NASW yearend2008report.pdf (application/pdf Object)
NASW Help Starts Here
NASW: Social Work Portal
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts
National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts
National Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report
Online Psychology Career Center
Personality test based on Jung - Myers-Briggs typology
Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign
Portal:Psychology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Psychology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nonviolent Communication
social experiment - Google Search
Social Psychology Network
SOcial work theories - Google Book Search
Social Work--THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER Online--Magazine for Social Work Students and Recent
Society for the Study of Social Problems | Awards & Scholarships
Thomp College Success Links
The Social Welfare Spot
WE LEARN, Resource List, Subject List
The handbook of social psychology - Google Books
The Association for Transpersonal Psychology
Inquiring Minds
Andrew Hacker - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Judith Katz - Google Search
Compassion: conceptualisations ... - Google Books
SW Licensing Exam prep - National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts
The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology | Graduate Education at the Frontier of Psychology and Spirituality since 1975
Reference, Facts, News - Free and Family-friendly Resources - Refdesk.com
SSC Style Guides and Writing Tools: Salem State College Library
SocialWorkBlog.org
Relationships and Compatablilty between Enneagram Types
Brian Bride — School of Social Work
Social Workers Speak
Women in the Literary Arts - Equality for Women
NASW WebEd
Community Tool Box - Solve a Problem
data drinking
Achieving Goals - Simple Tips for Achieving Goals
Transactional analysis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amazon.com: Games People Play: The Basic Handbook of Transactional Analysis. (9780345410030): Eric Berne: Books
Out.com Exclusives | 80 American Classics
FreeMind - free mind mapping software
Goals—Goal-Setting and Reaching Goals
neuroeconomics - Google Search
Positive Psychology – Using Positive Psychology for Stress Management
Relax, Meditate - Elements of Nurture
Study Skills, Information Skills & How to Study Articles Mind Tools
TDC
Top 100 Open Courseware Projects | OEDb
Benefits of Smoking Cessation - Reviewing the Benefits of Smoking Cessation

Mental Health & ADHD Resources

Lifescript.com | Your Health | Your Life | Your Way | Lifescript.com
Academic & Professional Resources
Basic Information on Eating Disorders
Mental and Physical Health - mind/body
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Sites Offering Services
http://mycreativityskills.com
creativity expression emotions feelings talent growth social - Google Search
Counseling - Successful Internship - Book Companion Site
Generalized anxiety disorder - MayoClinic.com
Can You Trust Online Mental Health Information?
Resilience
A Primer on Mental Health Medications
Mental Health - Information on Mental Health
TOOLS FOR COPING Series Content
Self-esteem, What is
MentalHelp.net - Tests of Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar, Anger and other mental health issues
firstborngirls.com
Talk Therapies
NASW Behavioral Health
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK
managed care with provider panels
COPING.ORG Listening
frontline: the soldier's heart: readings & links | PBS
Cognitive behavioral therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dialectical behavioral therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Emotionally focused therapy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Attachment in adults - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Close relationships portal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fenway Health: LGBT Family and Parenting Services
Meichenbaum Stress inoculation training. - Google Search
DBT, S.E., and Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills
Systematic Lit Reviews - Cochrane Reviews
Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents
Same-sex relationship - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fenway Health: Mental Health
(social OR emotional) AND loneliness - Google Search
DBSA learning center: Depression Anxiety Bipolar eLearning Center
beahvioral disorders
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for ... - Google Books
barkley attention deficit hyperactivity - Google Search
Clinicians' guide to adult ADHD ... - Google Books
Adult ADHD: Impact on Life: How to Live With Adult ADHD | eHow.com
Conners' Rating Scales - Revised
Global Assessment of Functioning Scale - Google Search
ADD and Self Care - Learn About ADD and Self Care
Personality Traits in Abusive Relationships
Codependency Recovery Web. Signs of codependent personality disorder
Love Addicts Anonymous
relational cultural theory - Google Search
Codependent No More: Stop ... - Google Books
Online Counseling and E-Therapy With Kali Munro
Online Therapy Articles and Resources
11 signs of Internet addiction - Boston.com
Mayo Clinic medical information and tools for healthy living - MayoClinic.com
Samaritans Home Page-->
Welcome to the International Society for Mental Health Online!
Decoster - Social work diagnosis in ... - Google Books
Aguayo - Social work diagnosis in ... - Google Books
Emlet - Social work diagnosis in ... - Google Books
ben-zur - Social work diagnosis in ... - Google Books
Emotion Regulation
How negative self-talk kills self esteem
Unhelpful Thinking – part 3 — How to Have Great Self Confidence
Parents Without Partners - Parents Without Partners- Single Parents (Woburn, MA) - Meetup.com
1 - Enneagram Type One: The Reformer
2 - Enneagram Type Two: The Helper
9 - Enneagram Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Capital Area Human Services - CAHSD's Services
Authentic Happiness Inventory
Profile of a Sociopath
Counselors OOH
Compassion Fatigue
DBT - Google Search
BO Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills: Dean H. Hepworth, Ronald H. Rooney, Glenda Dewberry Rooney, Kim Strom-Gottfried, Jo Ann Larsen: Books
DIRECT Social Work - Book Companion Site
Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills: Dean H. Hepworth, Ronald H. Rooney, Glenda Dewberry Rooney, Kim Strom-Gottfried, Jo Ann Larsen: Books
Depression: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms
Descriptions of the Enneagram Types
INFJ Profile
Keirsey Idealists Personality Type -
Keirsey Personality - Idealist - Counselor
Keirsey Personality - Idealist - Teacher (ENFJ)
http://www.keirsey.com/handler.aspx?s=keirsey&f=fourtemps&tab=3&c=counselor
Fighting Monsters
psychotherapy modalities - Google Search
POV - Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go | PBS
Quitline
www.9types.com

women&depression.pdf (application/pdf Object)
What do the letters mean after the name?
ABCT Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Best_Practices>
coping.org
victor frankl - Google Search
Stress Management Techniques, Stress Relief & Stress Reduction from Mind Tools
'Stress - From Molecules To Behavior'
Altruism - The Benefits of Altruism for Stress Management
Health Benefits of Sleep - Sleep and Health

adhd

Adult ADHD | ADD ADHD Blog.com
ADHD in Adulthood: A Guide to ... - Google Books
Women with ADD Articles
Amazon.com: Women With Attention Deficit Disorder: Embracing Disorganization at Home and in the Workplace: Sari Solden: Books
Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD ... - Google Books
adult adhd impact functioning - Google Scholar
NIMH · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
CDC - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) Homepage - NCBDDD
Mental Health America: AD/HD
The Significant Impact of Adult ADHD On Social, Financial And Personal Aspects Of Life
ADHD in Adulthood: A Guide to ... - Google Books
ADHD in adults: what the science says - Google Books
Clinicians' guide to adult ADHD ... - Google Books
Anxiety and Adult ADHD
Conners Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity - Google Search
Wender Utah Rating Scale for the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD Forums - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support and Information Resources Community - Powered by vBulletin
ADHD and Relationships - ADHD and Marriage
- Brain and Cognitive Sciences | MIT OpenCourseWare
What is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?

When does ADHD count as a protected 'disability'? - Business Management Daily
Social work diagnosis in ... - Google Books
ADHD in the Workplace - Graziadio Business Report
Treating ADD/ADHD: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy | ADDitude - ADHD & LD Adults and Children
Adult ADD: Late Diagnosis | ADDitude: Information on Attention Deficit Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Parenting and More
Is ADHD Interfering With Your Career? -
About to apply for disability :( I can't believe its come to this.. - ADHD Forums
Accessability Options - ADHD Forums - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support and Information Resources Community
ADHD News from Medical News Today

What is Anxiety? Anxiety Symptoms and Causes
ADHD @ Healthy Place
AD/HD in Women

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Film: I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can

Remember this book? This movie is only rated 3 stars, though, so we'll see how it is.



1982R107 minutes

In this movie based on Barbara Gordon's autobiography, Jill Clayburgh turns out another virtuoso performance to depict a documentary filmmaker on the verge of a complete breakdown. Under pressure to perform, she turns to tranquilizers for serenity, a move that ultimately leads to the destruction of everything she's worked to accomplish in her professional and personal life. John Lithgow and Dianne Wiest co-star.