Posted by fca on January 6, 2007, at 17:03:18
In reply to Re: Patient paid to accept neuroleptic depot injec, posted by linkadge on January 6, 2007, at 16:20:57
I have spent thousands of hours with 100s and 100s of persons with schizophrenia over the last 40 years. The progress is nothing less than remarkable in terms of their ability to live independently, maintain meaningful personal relationships, work, etc. And this is due primarily to improvements in APs. I would encourage you to spend time (and I do not mean 2 hours or a 10 day visit) but real time with persons at different points in their recovery(or stabilization) from schizophrenia. Of course a number do not want to take medicine--it has side crappy effects, sometimes it does not work and the illness itself causes mistrust and noncompliance. I am sorry for the strength of my response but I am constantly amazed and gratified by the progress that has been made. Schizophrenia is a devastating illness and I saw it when the meds were primitive and people led terribly compromised lives both inside and out of hospitals . Of course it easier for society if people are med compliant--it's also better for society if people were not addicted to alcohol and drugs. But in both cases the ultimate victims are the sufferers themselves. Finally, there is so much physical evidence (CAT scans, MRIs, PETs)that each major decompensation is a physical assault on the brain that minimizing the intensity and length of the acute decompensation is very important. Meds, while not preventing decompensation, due mitigate the damage done. Thanks for your patience fca
poster:fca
thread:719688
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070101/msgs/719924.html