Posted by Tabitha on August 6, 2003, at 13:27:35
He had severe depression, but was completely opposed to psychiatry and meds. He'd tell me, well I haven't killed myself for 12 years, so I'm OK. I'd explain that having suidical thoughts ever was enough reason to consult for meds. But it didn't seem like he listened.
Somehow he finally started feeling bad enough to go to a free clinic and it sounds like he got a good doctor and is going to get free celexa. The doctor spent 2 hours with him and he said during the talk he realized that his whole life was an attempt to medicate himself. That's just what I'd been saying! He spends all his energy trying to manage his mood with nutrition, massage, exercise, art, support groups, meditation, etc etc. It's all good stuff to do, but man! Do you really want to devote 100% of your energy to mood management, just to keep your head above water, when meds could do a lot of that job for you? He said he's finally ready to give up and accept some help.
I guess I get some credit, since breaking up with him is what pushed him over the line into intolerable psychic pain. Yay me.
I'm kinda mad though, that it sounds like he immediately found this really good doctor, and gets the treatment for free since he's so low income. It sounds better than what I've gotten for my $200 private practice consults, and horrible HMO practice doctors, and soon I'll be paying like $500 per month to keep my health insurance while I'm unemployed.
poster:Tabitha
thread:248644
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030727/msgs/248644.html