Participation in a mental health research study led to an unexpected outcome for a Michigan woman.
For years, Dana Parker-Mathis of Birmingham was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, after participating in a research study, she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. The 44-year-old is now considered “stable” and has been for a number of years.
Parker-Mathis continues to participate in such studies as a way of giving back.
“It’s not just necessarily to help me. I have been OK since 2002 or 2003 and in full recovery since 2005,” she said. “Because the experience was so daunting for me, I have a great empathy for others that perhaps are experiencing that.”
Her most recent study involves a new initiative at the University of Michigan Depression Center and the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. Both recently launched a campaign to help connect people living with depression and bipolar disorder to research studies.
Parker-Mathis began experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder in her late 20s, shortly after giving birth to her son.
She experienced ideas of reference, a form of psychosis where every sight she saw held a deeper meaning. Every color held a deeper meaning such as green meant to “grow up” and orange meant “stop what you’re doing.”
Eventually, Parker-Mathis was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but it was not addressing the symptoms she was experiencing. She had no family history of mental illness.
In late 2002, she began participating in research studies, which eventually led to her current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
Since 2002, she has participated in about a dozen studies, she said.
For years, Dana Parker-Mathis of Birmingham was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, after participating in a research study, she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. The 44-year-old is now considered “stable” and has been for a number of years.
Parker-Mathis continues to participate in such studies as a way of giving back.
“It’s not just necessarily to help me. I have been OK since 2002 or 2003 and in full recovery since 2005,” she said. “Because the experience was so daunting for me, I have a great empathy for others that perhaps are experiencing that.”
Her most recent study involves a new initiative at the University of Michigan Depression Center and the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. Both recently launched a campaign to help connect people living with depression and bipolar disorder to research studies.
Parker-Mathis began experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder in her late 20s, shortly after giving birth to her son.
She experienced ideas of reference, a form of psychosis where every sight she saw held a deeper meaning. Every color held a deeper meaning such as green meant to “grow up” and orange meant “stop what you’re doing.”
Eventually, Parker-Mathis was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but it was not addressing the symptoms she was experiencing. She had no family history of mental illness.
In late 2002, she began participating in research studies, which eventually led to her current diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
Since 2002, she has participated in about a dozen studies, she said.
Schizoaffective disorder has highs and lows, similar to bipolar disorder, and also has the capacity for psychotic episodes, similar to schizophrenia. The difference between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is the schizoaffective psychotic episodes are not as frequent.
About a year ago, she began taking part in a U of M research study for people on antipsychotic medications and their tendency to gain weight. The study requires her to track her daily food intake and take part in a series of cognitive tests and interviews.
Research studies often provide people with cutting edge treatments, are free of cost and also help scientists find better treatments, and even cures.
Dr. Patricia Deldin, associate director of the depression center, helped create the partnership with the Bipolar Alliance through a grant from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
She got the idea from a breast cancer organization that was recruiting 1 million people to be part of a breast cancer study.
“I thought, ‘Well why can’t we do that?’” she said.
After receiving the grant, the organizations launched the project, which aims to get 1 million people involved in research studies.
“We need everyone, from babies through senior citizens, every different type of ethnicity and race, need people on and off psychiatric medications, people who do and don’t use substances,” she said. “We need all kinds of people.”
They are now in the recruitment process and are visiting support groups, and research events to register participants.
Deldin said mental health research is different than other forms because it requires human beings as compared to other research that can be done on animals.
About a year ago, she began taking part in a U of M research study for people on antipsychotic medications and their tendency to gain weight. The study requires her to track her daily food intake and take part in a series of cognitive tests and interviews.
Research studies often provide people with cutting edge treatments, are free of cost and also help scientists find better treatments, and even cures.
Dr. Patricia Deldin, associate director of the depression center, helped create the partnership with the Bipolar Alliance through a grant from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
She got the idea from a breast cancer organization that was recruiting 1 million people to be part of a breast cancer study.
“I thought, ‘Well why can’t we do that?’” she said.
After receiving the grant, the organizations launched the project, which aims to get 1 million people involved in research studies.
“We need everyone, from babies through senior citizens, every different type of ethnicity and race, need people on and off psychiatric medications, people who do and don’t use substances,” she said. “We need all kinds of people.”
They are now in the recruitment process and are visiting support groups, and research events to register participants.
Deldin said mental health research is different than other forms because it requires human beings as compared to other research that can be done on animals.
Researchers know how hard it is to get participants and sometimes it forces them to return grant money because not enough participants can be found, she said.
“It’s a huge problem we can’t get better care and prevention if we don’t have enough people participating,” she said.
Research studies can only be done if people agree to participate.
“It is undoubtedly an opportunity for you to better understand yourself and your symptoms, but most importantly it is an opportunity to have an overall impact on the movement to find appropriate treatments for all individuals that are suffering from mental health disorders,” Parker-Mathis said.
Those wanting to take part can sign up at www.wesearchtogether.org.
Staff Writer Amy Bell can be reached at 734-429-7380, abell@heritage.com or via Twitter @AmyBell9.
“It’s a huge problem we can’t get better care and prevention if we don’t have enough people participating,” she said.
Research studies can only be done if people agree to participate.
“It is undoubtedly an opportunity for you to better understand yourself and your symptoms, but most importantly it is an opportunity to have an overall impact on the movement to find appropriate treatments for all individuals that are suffering from mental health disorders,” Parker-Mathis said.
Those wanting to take part can sign up at www.wesearchtogether.org.
Staff Writer Amy Bell can be reached at 734-429-7380, abell@heritage.com or via Twitter @AmyBell9.
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