Posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:12:06
In reply to When is it time to see a Psychiatrist?, posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 16:21:43
Yeah I agree. When things are out of control for no understandable reason, either a psychiatrist or a GP who specializes in psychiatry is going to be a step toward an improved quality of life.
But there are always trade-offs. For example, with an antidepressant it could take months of switching from one to another to fine the best fit, and only a small percentage of people ever find a perfect fit. Side effects. Some are tolerable and some are not.
Benzodiazepines. Might be a road you're on for a long time, and leaving that road is hard. But, if it improves quality of life, it's a trade-off someone has to decide on.
Antipsychotics. Can work miracles and can be disasters. Quality of life trade-offs.
And of course, we hear stories all the time of psychiatrists who don't seem to have a clue what they're doing. Even my doctor who specializes in psychiatry told me that I know more about psychiatry and receptors and such than any of the bigwhig psychiatrists in the area. That's kind of scary.
> Obviously drugs or psychiatric intervention are not normally needed or recommended for the routine ups and downs of everyday life? How then to decide to see a psychiatrist and consider taking medicine?
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> You may be a canditate to see a psychiatrist and take a psychiatric drug if you have symptoms of anxiety or depression for "no good reason." If your symptoms interfere with your ability to function at work or at home; if your symptoms persist for longer than a few days;if others tell you that you seem unusaully moody, stressed or anxious; if you have suicidal thoughts; if you use alcohol, street drugs or unprescribed medications to ease tension, improve your mood, or help you sleep; or if you persistently exhibit odd, bizarre behavior, often to the point where others feel threatened.
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> There is very little to be lost, and a lot to be gained by consulting a psychiatrist in these circumstances. Psychiatric illness is not a sign of personal weakness. Great scientists (S.E Luria) heads of countries (Abe Lincoln) and famous artists (van Gogh) have suffered from psychiatric illnesses.
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> Monte
poster:blueberry
thread:637262
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060423/msgs/637289.html