Posted by audrey on September 8, 2002, at 8:50:15
In reply to Some inside info, posted by Martin Johnson on September 8, 2002, at 1:31:55
I think the fact that these medications have thus far kept me from killing myself, and have enable me to lead a slightly normal life is enough evidence to me that I both have a medical illness and that they work. OK, maybe there is a placebo effect, but I really don't care, as long as I'm alive. But I don't think that is the case simply for the fact that I have tried certain medications (Paxil and Effexor to name two) that did not help at all, and in some ways exacerbated my symptoms. Only when a correct diagnosis was finally made did the medication prescribed help me.
You quote Dr Maxim as recognizing "that psychiatrists are the only medical specialists who treat disorders that, by definition, have no definitively known causes or cures" Well, for a while, no one knew what was "definitively" causing AIDS, and we certainly don't have a cure for that disease yet. I'm glad doctors at the time didn't wash their hands of those victims and send them on their way telling them it was because they were "sinners" (though there were plenty of others saying that).
In a previous post to you I said you were lucky because you've found a way to deal with your mental illness without drugs. Well, I'm wondering whether you have really dealth with your mental illness. Posting hostile posts on this message board to people who depend on these medications indicates that you have some kind of issue. Perhaps instead of antagonizing the people who use this message board, you could use your hostility more productively by going after the drug companies, lobbying your congresspeople, etc.
I feel guilty criticizing you when you have been banned from responding, but I feel I must comment on the things you said. Implying that one's mental illness is merely a result of their sins is akin to the point you made about the homosexuality diagnosis in the DSM-II.
Audrey
poster:audrey
thread:119263
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119278.html