Find expert answers to your health questions

Ruth White, MPH

Bio

Ruth White is Associate Professor of Social Work at Seattle University. She is the author of Bipolar 101 and has published in academic journals and mainstream media in the area of health policy, public health, mental health and maternal and child health. She has also worked as a social worker in the UK, Canada and the USA and worked on health services delivery in emerging economies.

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Social Work:
    Homelessness, Frequent Moves Affect How Kids Do in School

    TUESDAY, Oct. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Children who are homeless or move frequently do worse in certain school subjects than children who have more stable home settings, according to a new study.

    About 1 million children in the United States are homeless and many more are believed to move f...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Social Work:
    Foster Kids Adopted by Same-Sex Parents Make Big Gains, Study Says

    THURSDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) -- Foster-care children adopted by gay and lesbian parents do just as well as those adopted by heterosexual parents, a new study finds.

    Researchers looked at 82 high-risk children, aged 4 months to 8 years old, adopted from foster care in Los Angeles Co...Full Article

  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    Can I prevent bipolar disorder?
    Bipolar disorder cannot be 'prevented', however, with careful management symptoms can be minimized...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    What types of medication are used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder?
    Bipolar disorder is a complex disease that requires medications that often are accompanied by close monitoring of blood levels. A successful medication regimen typically involves trial and error, and demands a close relationship with your medical doctor.

    For acute mania, the following me...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    Does psychotherapy work as treatment for bipolar disorder?
    A review of scientific studies of psychological treatment for bipolar disorders found that certain models have led to increased interest in psychotherapeutic interventions with people living with bipolar disorder. It also found that longterm treatment is better than on-and-off treatment for...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    What are common side effects of bipolar disorder medication?
    Unfortunately, bipolar medications can have some pretty uncomfortable side effects, which is often the reason why people with bipolar disorder either don't take their prescribed dosages or stop taking their medications entirely. The most common side effects that influence compliance are dry...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    How can getting treatment for my bipolar disorder benefit my loved ones?
    When you get treatment for you bipolar disorder, your family and loved ones can relax when you're well, because they need not worry about where you are, what you're doing and thinking, and whether or not you're safe. Your spouse or partner will be free to enjoy your good humor rather than...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    What should I know about my health insurance if I have bipolar disorder?
    You'll need to know the scope of your insurance coverage so that you can take this into account when finding a healthcare provider for your bipolar disorder treatment and diagnosis. Read your benefits booklet and contact your health insurance company's customer service department or your...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    How can I afford to treat my bipolar disorder if I don't have insurance?
    If you have no health coverage, research various options to see what you can afford in the short and long term for bipolar disorder treatment. For example, ask your provider if a sliding scale or monthly payment plan is offered. Call your public health department to ask for free or low-cost treatment,...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    How can I help my doctor diagnose bipolar disorder?
    It's very important that you bring to your first or second visit a journal, logs, and an informant (such as a spouse, partner, sibling, or close friend) who can give a more objective picture of your illness. Mental health professionals find this information extremely helpful, if not essential,...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    Why should I get treatment for my bipolar disorder?
    Getting treatment for bipolar disorder is something you do for yourself. It's also something you do for your coworkers, those living with you, your loved ones, and those who interact with you every day. Time and time again, people put off seeking treatment, but generally the longer the illness...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    How can I tell if I have bipolar disorder?
    Although everyone has shifts in mood (for example, anger, sadness, or happiness) related to his or her surroundings and life circumstances, people with bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depressive illness) experience unusual, and sometimes drastic, shifts in mood, energy, thoughts, behavior,...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    What goes wrong in the brain in bipolar disorder?
    The use of new brain-imaging technology, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron-emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have begun to give clues to the process of bipolar disorder in the brain. These technologies have revealed differences in...  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    Does childhood trauma cause bipolar disorder?
    Recent studies have found that childhood trauma does not directly cause—but does hasten—the onset and severity of bipolar disorder. Children who had been abused were more likely to have early onset, in adolescence or earlier.  Full Post
  • Ruth White, MPH
    Ruth White, MPH answered:
    What causes bipolar disorder?
    The use of new brain-imaging technology, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron-emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have begun to give clues to the process of bipolar disorder in the brain. These technologies have revealed differences in...  Full Post