News Release - May 2001 FOR • OM at ISOM 30 Nutritional Medicine Today     On May 4, 2001, three hundred people came to a fund-raising evening for the Canadian Schizophrenia Foundation at the Concert Hall of the Royal York Hotel, sponsored by the International Society of Orthomolecular Medicine. The crowd heard Margot Kidder and friends talk about restorative mental healthcare. Margot did not disappoint; she spoke, with intense insight and quick wit, about her life with manic depression. For over twenty years, Margot's trials of powerful psychiatric medications and periodic trips "to the [loony] bin" made her worse. She called it a "pharmacological lobotomy." Wanting effective care, she read about orthomolecular medicine before deciding who to consult and how to proceed. The restorative approach worked well. Stable since 1996, Margot pronounced herself "cured" and shared her recovery story. She explained how biochemical supplements help her maintain her mental health.     Acting as MC, Bob Sealey introduced Margot and six FOR • OM friends: former patients and family who use orthomolecular medicine for mood disorders, schizophrenia, autism and dyslexia. After an accurate diagnosis, each patient learned to take a specific daily regimen (of vital amines, trace minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, energy and enzyme co-factors) and monitor their nutrition. The 1998 TV documentary Masks of Madness - Science of Healing was presented, sharing success stories of six patients who have been helped and six health professionals who routinely use orthomolecular methods in their medical practices. In person and on film, thirteen patients reported their positive progress at the FOR • OM evening - one after the other!     The evening ended with the first FOR • OM award of excellence. Bob presented Dr. Abram Hoffer with a Destiny print on behalf of grateful patients whose destinies were restored thanks to Dr. Hoffer's vision of restorative biochemistry and development of orthomolecular medicine. The audience showed their appreciation by giving Dr. Hoffer a hearty round of applause and a standing ovation!      The practice of orthomolecular medicine began nearly 50 years ago when Dr. Abram Hoffer and his associates applied the life science of biochemistry to the art of medicine. As a psychiatrist, author and senior editor of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, Dr. Hoffer has a special interest in schizophrenia. His 1998 book Vitamin B3 & Schizophrenia - Discovery, Recovery, Controversy explains how Dr. Hoffer researched the biochemistry of schizophrenia and discovered that vital amines can help. He recommends appropriate doses of niacin, ascorbic acid (vitamins B3 and C) and other supplements. For decades, Dr. Hoffer helped patients recover from schizophrenia and other mental and physical conditions. At age 80 something, he is still practicing in Victoria, BC: caring for patients, learning, writing and inspiring his colleagues.     The FOR • OM evening was organized for Nutritional Medicine Today by Robert Sealey, BSc, CA, a consultant and writer in North York, ON. Bob started the Friends of Restorative Orthomolecular Medicine network to encourage people to discuss restorative healthcare. Patients, family, caregivers and health professionals can cooperate to add restorative practices to conventional treatments. Patients can recover and keep well. Bob has a BSc degree in biological and medical sciences from the University of Toronto. He uses orthomolecular medicine to cope with his bipolar II mood disorder, migraines and anxiety. Stable since 1996, Bob is not perfect, but he can live well, read, write and work with the local clients of his consulting practice. 30% of his clients have mental health problems or affected family members. His mental accounting specialty was written up in The Toronto Star and the CA Magazine. He wrote a Depression Survivor's Kit with tips for survivors of depression and caregivers. His latest book Finding Care For Depression was released in September 2001.     For information about orthomolecular medicine & books by mail order, contact the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 16 Florence Ave. Toronto, ON M2N 1E9 Phone 416-733-2117 Internet web site, http://www.orthomed.org/