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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by honeybee on June 7, 2006, at 17:48:52
Pdocs always ask about family members who've had a mental illness and how they were treated--specifically asking to see if any specific drugs worked to treat their depression/anxiety/etc. When they say that, do they mean immediate family members? At what point does it become not useful?
I mean, my brother isn't on ADs, nor are my parents. My closest relative on an AD is an aunt who started a smidge of a dose of prozac ten years ago (she's in her late seventies now), and my mom's cousin (also an aunt) on pamelor, and her daughter, on zoloft. My cousin (maternal) takes xanax on occasion because she has panic attacks from time to time.
Do any of these count? If so, why isn't my doctor suggesting any of them?
hb
Posted by heaven help me on June 7, 2006, at 18:29:53
In reply to Potentially Silly Question about Family History, posted by honeybee on June 7, 2006, at 17:48:52
SHeesh! I always have this same question! WHERE does "family history" stop???? Just ask your Dr. where it stops for him I guess
blessings
mary
Posted by cecilia on June 7, 2006, at 20:05:07
In reply to Potentially Silly Question about Family History, posted by honeybee on June 7, 2006, at 17:48:52
It is a silly question on the doctor's part, because the doctor must live in a fantasy universe if he thinks most families sit and talk about what psych meds they're on. I would NEVER mention being on an antidepressant, for all I know all my relatives could be on them. Generally, though, I think doctors use the term "1st degree relatives" referring to parents, siblings and children as those genetically closest to us. That's how my HMO calculates breast cancer risk (i.e. how often they'll pay for a mammogram) in terms of how many 1st degree relatives have it. Which is totally unscientific , because a woman with a lot of sisters is obviously far more likely to have a 1st degree relative with breast cancer than one with none. And of course a lot of people have half-siblings-I don't know how they're classified. Cecilia
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 22:07:12
In reply to Re: Potentially Silly Question about Family History, posted by cecilia on June 7, 2006, at 20:05:07
I find no stigma attached to psych meds. Me and my neighbors talk about what ad or benzo we're on. My sister is on paxil and xanax, my neice is on zoloft and xanax, my Son on zoloft and ativan, my daughter in law on to many to mention. Love Phillipa
Posted by cecilia on June 8, 2006, at 3:48:46
In reply to Re: Potentially Silly Question about Family History » cecilia, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 22:07:12
Well, it all depends on the person and the family. Some people will go on Dr. Phil and tell 30 million people about their sex lives and some people don't like to tell anybody anything personal. But in general I think it's safe to assume a lot of people keep a lot of secrets from their families. Cecilia
Posted by pulse on June 9, 2006, at 18:07:11
In reply to Re: Potentially Silly Question about Family History » cecilia, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 22:07:12
i tell lots of people: friends, the checkout girl at the grocery, and the only family i have still living. if they don't like it - and, in my case, that's been ONLY my father, over all these many years, i see that as HIS BIG problem...and incredibly antiquated. of course, him having npd, he sees me as an extension of himself - and, dontcha know, having to take an ad is a sign of both weakness and imperfection - the ultimate curse, in his ignorant view.
YET, he himself has 'succumbed' to taking several ads, and more than a few times, although he always quits when he is well - from the depression (only, of course) that elderly npds DO often get....or get even if they retire early, as he did, because he could afford to, and wanted to cruise the world, etc.
this does make one case for the 1st degree relative connection being quite relevant, as the same ads that worked best for him, also worked best for me, when i could still tolerate their GI side-effects.
best,
pulse
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