Posted by Bob on July 11, 2002, at 15:49:20
In reply to Re: Real Depression, posted by Geezer on July 11, 2002, at 10:56:27
> Hi LostBoy,
>
> Not only do I agree with what you said I wish I could have said it as well.
>
> I get very angry when someone intellectualize this illness. As soon as I hear "working on issues, relationships, recognizing triggers, blah, blah, blah" my blood pressure kicks up a notch. Psychology has nothing to do with real heavy duty depression (be it recurrent major depression or the bipolar version). As an illness it is much closer to a "slow rolling seizure disorder" where the intervals and severity of episodes may be to some degree controlled with medication. I have given up on any hopes of the lay public understanding this but I do resent the current theory, by the pdocs and tdocs, that the best treatment for real depression is the combination of drugs and cognative therapy.
>
> If a doctor had chosen to give me the HONEST FACTS about this illness when I was very young his message would heve been brief and to the point. "From this day forward there will be times when your life will be a living hell. You will be faced with a 15% chance of killing yourself and all the talking in the world won't change a thing. Take your meds and do the best you can".
>
> Thanks for your post.
>
> GeezerWell... now I'll chime in and say that I wish I had posted what YOU just said. Very, very well put. Especially that last paragraph, as a simple, straightforward summation of our condition. Everybody always harps on me getting therapy, which I do. However, I really don't think it has ever provided an ounce of help. For me, I've only seen changes with meds. Therapy starts leading to self-blame for your condition. I honestly believe that.
BTW, FWIW, if the doctor told people what you posted in your last paragraph there, it would cause a lot of up front consternation. They would never do that obviously. Besides, many people are afraid of the truth.
poster:Bob
thread:91928
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020709/msgs/112068.html