Posted by 49er on September 12, 2009, at 8:58:19
In reply to Re: Suggestions re: Someone Who Refuses Medications » 49er, posted by SLS on September 8, 2009, at 11:31:51
Hi Scott,
Sorry for my late response.,
I don't know what the rate is for spontaneous admission. I would like to say 100%:)
I didn't mean to imply you can't disagree with me. Of course you can.
But here is what I am getting at. If you never believe that people can make it without meds and I never believe that they can make it with meds, then what is the point of having a discussion? We both would be entrenched in our positions, it would be like playing the same stale musical notes over and over.
Of course, people might be thinking that right now:)
What I meant about your medication tapering views is that you have advocated drugs like mood stabalizers to taper off a med. I found that disturbing because I feel you still will have a drug to taper off of and that could lead to more withdrawal symptoms.
Of course, in some situations, there may not be a choice such as severe insomnia.
I never said that someone with schizophrenia who tapers slowly won't relapse. But the odd are sure less.
By the way, on my old computer, I did have a link to a study supporting that. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find it.
I am sure you are saying, "yeah right 49er, they all say that". But I am telling you the truth.
But again, there aren't going to be studies because the mentality of the mental health industry is that people need to stay on meds for life.
Let me give you an example of what I am talking about with tapering meds too quickly and relapse
Ryan Yorke, the son of Laurie Yorke, the administrator of Paxil Progress Boards, suffered a psychosis due to a Paxil tapering schedule that was way too fast. People would have given him all sorts of mental health labels.
Fast foward to about 5 years off of Paxil (I hope I have that right), he is fine and has no mental illness whatsoever.
Granted, he never had schizophrenia but I think the example is relevant.
I don't think there is ever a perfect time for coming off of medication. When I started tapering, a close relative died and I dealt with unemployment. I also had to deal with severe insomnia.
I now have a permanent job.
My answer to your question is I don't think anyone knows.
But if they want to, they should be supported in that decision.
Finally, if you still think I am nuts, let me ask you this. We allow people to refuse regular medical treatments that might be deadly. We don't usually force them in a hospital against their will even they have the potential to kill someone while driving due to not taking their medication.
But for some reason, when you have a mental health label, this changes.
Anyway, I have said enough for now.
poster:49er
thread:915268
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090912/msgs/916637.html