Posted by Marie1 on August 14, 2001, at 8:06:43
In reply to Re: sar is okay » shelliR, posted by sar on August 13, 2001, at 13:59:59
I apologise, Sar and Shelli, for butting-in on your personal exchange here, but I'm really infuriated by our mental health insurance system and Sar, I could just scream about the WAY less than adequate options available to you. THIS IS SO WRONG! Sar, from your posts, I see you as very bright (probably gifted), articulate, self perceptive, compassionate - I could go on, but the point I'm trying to make is that you DESERVE to have a more optomistic future as it relates to your mental health care. I'm not naive, I know that life sometimes isn't fair, but that doesn't mean it's ok that you have to settle for inferior help/treatment because you are limited in your ability to pay. I know I've been lucky in that I can afford to pay for treatment by a private psychiatrist who I credit for literally saving my life. I have thought - what if this wasn't available to me? If I couldn't pay to see him - what would have happened? It's not a stretch to say I may not be here now. I hate this inequity! Sar should have every opportunity I had to find competent professionals to help her treat her disease. We really have to make some changes here, and the new parity laws, while they're a start, don't begin to address the needs of people who require mental health care. What can we do, guys? I'm willing and able, but don't know where to start. Shelli? Anyone?
Marie
> dear shelli,
>
> thanks, i don't even consider it nagging, well maybe in an affectionate way, i'm just glad to get replies and to feel like others understand...
>
> i know that i need to work on more concrete ways of self-control...i'm not putting all my stock into the depakote (which i'm not on yet) but just knowing that the combination of depakote + alcohol will have such a greater effect on the liver might temper my behavior somewhat. i have a BP I acquaintance who has cirrhosis of the liver. he is dying at 23 years old. i think it's the combination of 5 years of strong meds and heavy drinking that did him in.
>
> the combination of prozac and klonopin have helped my social anxiety immeasurably. i find myself acting really affectionate and extraverted, which sometimes makes me nervous because i wonder if i'm being too much! (after having spent so much time reticent and retiring).
>
> my newest pdoc does not want me to take klonopin because he feels it is too addictive. i argued that klonopin has really salvaged/saved my life, and he said that was a sign that i'd already become too dependent on it. i take .5 mg twice daily. he wrote me a 'script for one month's worth more pills, but he too seemed to think that i need to work on more cognitive ways to deal with my anxiety. the thing is, I HAVE. swimming, yoga, deep breathing, CBT, therapy--but without meds, ruminating thoughts ravage my mind, terrible anxiety, shakiness, like a deer caught in headlights.
>
> i want to do therapy again, but my last go-'round has made me very wary. since i'm not insured, i'd have to go to the free counselors, and i just don't dig them as much--their required "goal sheets," anti-drug propaganda, blaming depression on occasional use of illicit drugs--this has been my experience. i'm in the process of getting medical insurance and then will be offered psychtherapy on a sliding-scale rate, but i feel like i'm the big loser in a cakewalk and wonder if *i'm* the problem, if i've only wholly liked 1 psych out of 10 then maybe i'm expecting too much...what do you think?
>
> thanks shelli
>
> sar
poster:Marie1
thread:8990
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010812/msgs/9532.html