Biography
 

My name is Alan  K Woodman. I am in my forties. I studied Pharmacy at Portsmouth Polytechnic graduating in 1986 with a 2.1 (Honours) degree. I have suffered from a schizoaffective disorder since the age of 18 requiring many hospitalisations. I have now been well for 10 years.

After graduating I worked in an academic environment with the Scientific Civil Service as well as working in Retail Pharmacy. Due to my illness I have not worked in a pharmaceutical environment for many years.

I am currently looking to return to work in some capacity and am undertaking further study. I have maintained an interest in psychiatric medication and have access to many different resources.

1.    Kidney damage caused by lithium.

2.   The withdrawal syndrome of Seroxat.

3.   Weight gain on olanzapine.

4.   The incidence of diabetes mellitus whilst taking olanzapine.

5.   Side-effects due to psychiatric medication.

6.   The use of diet and fish oils in treating schizoaffective disorders.

7.   Patient’s experience of the hospital environment.

8.   The use of ECT in the treatment of depression.

9.   The choice of mood stabilizer.

10. The use of alternative therapies (such as herbalism) in the treatment of
       schizo-affective disorder.

11. An orthomolecular approach (use of high doses of nutritional supplements)
       to the treatment of schizoaffective disorder.

12. The incidence of relapse on cessation of medication.

13. Drug free maintenance of mental stability in those suffering from a
      schizoaffective disorder.