Posted by rabble_rouser on July 30, 2005, at 18:40:39
In reply to So sick of these Psychiatrists., posted by denise1966 on July 26, 2005, at 15:19:29
Hi Denise,
I know exactly where you are coming from too. My history of cr*p therapists stretches beck to when I was 16 ( I am 27 now), and I am STILL searching for the answer.
The fact is, in the UK the medical profession wants very much to slot you into a neat category, preferably so that they can give the required drug for that category. So you go to a GP, report how you feel. S/he thinks you tick enough boxes on his/her list and so bzzzzt off prints the prescription.
Maybe you get a referral to a psychologist. I have found the only quick way to get even an assessment is to self-harm, and even then you get interviewed by an arrogant man who can barely speak english who informs you that he can cure 15 years of pain in a week. The fact he won't listen to all of your problems, and concenrates only on his 'favourite' ones, doesnt instill confidence.
The only way I have found was to go private. I had a consultation with a Psychiatrist at £120 for 45 minutes. He then referred me to a CBT therapist at £70 for 50 minutes. He was very good, but I had to move away fromn the area and could not afford to see him every 2 weeks, which is what I needed.
The problem with depression is that it is very 'time' intensive. Even most major organic illnesses only require brief periods of hospitalisation - but mental illnesses and the treatment demand can linger for decades.
I remember I used to study kung fu. My teacher was showing us shiatsu, and said of chiropractors: "People awlays say 'Oh I have this great chirpractor - he's great, you should go and see him. I do, every month'. If they are so good, why do you have to keep going back? If they're that good, they would cure you!".
I often read stories about people that have been in therapy, and are now 'out the other side' who say 'I still have some bad days, but not like before'. Are we to accept there is no overall cure for depression? That any and all of us who have ever suffered must expect repeat performances throughout life?
Modern psychoanalysis is obsessed with the effect our parents and environments have on us, and how they leave us with weaknesses that can lead to depression. It takes many years to form these dysfunctional skill sets, and it will take a long time to add to them and experience the healing that the confidence of those skills brings. It os not just a matter of changing negative beliefs - at the end of the day, if you don't know how to talk to another person, or how to deal with conflict, no amount of 'believing in yourself' will help - you need to know what to DO. Life is about action. Life is about learning.
If we have known this for so long, why is it that most GP's first course of action is invariably to prescribe an anti-depressant? With stress and depression in employees accounting for huge losses in business every day, why has the health service not done more to understand the needs of those with mental illnesses?
I have posted before on my anger at the backward view that the UK has of mental illness and the stigma that is still very much attached to it. There seems to be a great lack of willingness to accept psychological science, except to throw labels at people, and the lack of availability of easily accessible counselling, therapy and skills acquisition reflects this. The phrase "you're just born like that" still hangs on the lips of many, and unfortunately the ones that need to convince people otherwise - those that are suffering - do not have the strength and resolve to do it.
Throughout life I have had many phobias. I have always fought to overcome them. I was scared of heights - so I jumped out of a plane - 3 times. I was scared of public speaking - so I took every opportunity to speak in front of groups of people. I joined a club of speakers to improve my skills. I couldnt swim and I was scared of the sea. So I taught myself breast stroke and front crawl in the local pool and then on holiday swam twenty minutes out to a nearby island. In short, I forced myself to overcome those things which were holding me back - and though I may say so myself, I believe that is a form of courage.
Why is it then, that suffering, as a male, with depression is viewed by most of the UK as simple, right-to-the-core weakness? A 'lack of backbone'? 'Being a pus*y'?
I was on a train the other day, and overheard two executives having a conversation about a colleague that had been singned off work with stress, then had returned on prozac. One exec said to the other "Yes, he returned to work and apprently feels much better, but we all know once you are on those funny pills its as good as over". "Mmmm yes" cooed the knowing reply.
Whoever you were, I only wish that you never need to recover from real mental illness - because you have defeated yourself before you even begin.
Rabble
poster:rabble_rouser
thread:534991
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050725/msgs/535791.html