Posted by Dr. Bob on September 10, 2003, at 18:57:40
In reply to Redirect: Anyone read the new book Mad in America?, posted by Dr. Bob on September 9, 2003, at 17:52:53
Re: Anyone read the new book Mad in America?
Posted by Mariposa on September 9, 2003, at 18:47:01
In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/258509.html
>Apologies for my tone but to everyone who had a good laugh I actually take this seriously.
Apology, I accept it.
> I had a few more questions because I want to learn more but realizing most of you are probably not interested in conversing with me any longer I guess I won't expect much.
You should have more faith in your fellow man. Many of us are rational beings, willing to carry on a conversation.
>This education you've received about treatment... have you checked the sources?
Do not consider myself educated, but I have done some research on my own.
>Is it the drug company or a genuinely independent researcher?
You can only rely on *studies have shown* to a certain extent. Any study can be manipulated with statistics.
>Do you believe that psychiatrists are unbiased?
Is there anyone who is truely TOTALLY unbiased? Are you in this case? I do believe there are some good people out there, and I feel lucky to say my pdoc is one of these.
>Do you know what the long-term effects are?
I take Lexapro, which has only been on the market a short while, certainly not long enough for any *long term studies*. Most certainly it will have at least some effect on my liver. Hopefully I can get my problems under control before serious damage is done.
>Have mental illness rates improved since the introduction of these drugs?
Sorry, don't really know. but it's something to consider.
>Do you think maybe these 'new' disorders like GAD, SAD, ADD, and the extreme anger a couple of you referred are in some way natural coping mechanisms for our lifestyles?
Very possibly. Stress can cause all kinds of problems, this has been well documented. However, from what I have read, and my pdoc (who also practiced Endocrinology) told me, my problem is more than likely hormonal (female, 47) and I should get tested. Until then I prefer to be *medicated* rather than divorced, fired from my job, and very possibly dead from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
> I hope the tone of these questions is much easier to digest. I'm sure you've heard these all before! They all get addressed in this book and many others so I'd be interested to hear other people's response. Thanks and take care.
See you on the flip side~~~8|8
--
Re: hey phil? » Sabina
Posted by Phil on September 10, 2003, at 6:20:18
In reply to http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030907/msgs/258506.html
Lobotomy. Simple bad taste.
--
Re: Just mordantly witty, I'd say :) (nm) » Phil
Posted by Sabina on September 10, 2003, at 6:46:36
In reply to Re: hey phil? » Sabina, posted by Phil on September 10, 2003, at 6:20:18
--
Re: I thought this was on PSB..... » adeel
Posted by Phil on September 10, 2003, at 7:37:04
In reply to Re: Anyone read the new book Mad in America?, posted by adeel on September 9, 2003, at 17:36:28
> Good, Phil's post is exactly the kind of thoughtful response I wanted to get. Apologies for my tone but to everyone who had a good laugh I actually take this seriously.
>>>I can't be serious because I have a sense of humor? I've been serious about treatment for a long time. Wanna read 4 years worth of posts?
I think this is a big priority for everyone here.> I had a few more questions because I want to learn more but realizing most of you are probably not interested in conversing with me any longer I guess I won't expect much. This education you've received about treatment... have you checked the sources?
>>>Is Stephen Stahl okay? I read PubMed for fun.
I see where your line of questioning is going, I'm not sure why. Most here are educated on this and can converse w/ their pdoc on treatment choices etc.
Is it the drug company or a genuinely independent researcher?>>>If you see some of my old posts, I am no fan of drug companies. Dr. Breggin may be asking questions along this line; you can hear more about him on Quackwatch.
Do you believe that psychiatrists are unbiased?
Mine is or I wouldn't see her. I sometimes hear of new drugs before she does. If the drug looks useful or a possibility for me, we discuss it. One gift of this disease is the ability to see reality as it is better than 'normals'. That includes an ability to read peoples motives behind their words.
Do you know what the long-term effects are?
I've taken AD's for 20 years. All my blood chem, liver profile, etc is normal. My main SE is I can see green trees as green, not brown.
Tell you a story...zzzzzzzz. When my fist pdoc started me on Amitriptyline, he slowly worked up the dose to 250mg, that's high. Amitrip is a tricyclic with nasty SE's including possible heart irregularities. Anyway, I was driving on 1604 in San Antonio and I remember the exact spot the drug 'kicked in'. I was listening to a song and never noticed so many nuances in the music and I'm a musician. I was looking around and noticed the trees were beautiful, as was just being outside. In other words, I saw the world like I had never before seen it. It had been B&W for years. As far as the SE's, I had a treadmill stress test a few years later. I had the body fat and endurance of an athlete. I was running a lot back then. The stress test was good.Have mental illness rates improved since the introduction of these drugs?
Have the drugs improved? Yes and no. There's no wonder drug but compared to Amitrip, the meds I'm currently on are a breeze.
Do you think maybe these 'new' disorders like GAD, SAD, ADD, and the extreme anger a couple of you referred are in some way natural coping mechanisms for our lifestyles?
Extreme anger is not recommended for coping. Being depressed for a few months can be helpful for some. Chronic major, recurrent depression is a nightmare 24/7. A friend of mine in law enforcement met a paramedic here in Austin that was the first person in the Dallas ISD to be treated with Ritalin. He was about 8-9 years old. He's 50, still takes it and is regarded as one of the best at what he does. That's just one example.
Coping mechanisms...GAD? My coping mechanism was sleeping.> I hope the tone of these questions is much easier to digest. I'm sure you've heard these all before! They all get addressed in this book and many others so I'd be interested to hear other people's response. Thanks and take care.
If you have felt real depression, or better yet, were numb, you don't care about studies at first. Your doctor is trying to get you employed or keep you from hurting yourself.
Adeel, if you have never been depressed, it's like me telling a blind person what the color blue looks like. There's no language for it.
Read Styron's book on depression.This cluster of brain diseases are very real and they can kill you. You are in need of help and talk therapy to a depressed person bounces off, you can't understand much when you're at the bottom of the well.
Maybe this answered a few of your questions but mine is one story. Many aren't around to tell their story. I've gotten off meds several times and given life a go w/o them. It's not long before I have to start up again.
Look at brain imaging comparing normals to bipolar or depression sufferer's. There's a physiological difference in living color.
You may as well question someone with chronic pain if they know what painkillers are doing to them. I work with someone who has no choice on pain.
There's a good chance that just about everyone will suffer one depression. You just have to walk in our shoes for a while. So do writer's.
Many of us have suffered from our earliest memories. I'm 50 so I've felt this for years. You've mentioned you've read one book. Stick around, you might get a more balanced veiw.
I'm not sure that's what you want but in these posts, that's what you'll find.
Mental illness deserves compassion like heart disease or any other. It just takes decades for people to accept it. When you come to this site, show compassion first. People will listen. If you sound like you're trying to educate the teachers, it won't work.
I hope other's respond here and I wish you well and thank you for your curiosity.Regards,
Phil (human being)
--
Re: I thought this was on PSB..... » Phil
Posted by Mariposa on September 10, 2003, at 14:29:24
In reply to Re: I thought this was on PSB..... » adeel, posted by Phil on September 10, 2003, at 7:37:04
PHIL!! Much braver than me to go head to head w/adeel. I REALLY appreciated and enjoyed reading your excellent post. You said it so much better than I could have!!!
Best of luck to you and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!~~~8|8
--
Re: hey phil? » Phil
Posted by EscherDementian on September 10, 2003, at 16:08:45
In reply to Re: hey phil? » Sabina, posted by Phil on September 10, 2003, at 6:20:18
i thought it was because... well, you know: "Duct tape fixes EVERYTHING"
--
Re: hey phil? » Sabina
Posted by EscherDementian on September 10, 2003, at 16:14:00
In reply to Re: hey phil? » Phil, posted by Sabina on September 9, 2003, at 17:12:51
Ooops that last one was directed to Sabina.
(...i know, i know : Re-direct to _____ (?)>>>>Escher puts duct tape on this posting<<<<
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:258888
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030829/msgs/258888.html