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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 3, 2010, at 18:43:03
Yeah, its me, med_empowered, back...as a different kind of ex-mental patient.
Here's the story: I used to take pills. Lots of pills, for lots of diagnoses--anxiety disorders, mood disorder, psychotic disorders, etc. We're talking stimulants, benzos, antipsychotics, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, sleeping pills, etc. My results were bad. Sometimes OK, but over the long-haul..absolutely terrible.
I stopped the meds and picked up some Dr. Thomas Szasz--"The Myth Of Mental Illness" (I *DO NOT* care what your p-doc says, you must read it). I barely survived--anxiety, phobias, mood swings, social isolation, etc.
I ended up in a mental hospital for a few days--Bipolar I w/ psychotic features. Antipsychotic+Depakote; later, Antipsychotic+Depakote+benzo+sleeping pill. I felt dead, but I..whatever.
I stopped the meds. I ended up in the criminal justice system...instead of prison, I ended up in a Christian ("Christ-centered") treatment program designed mostly for drugg addicts but...they took me, too. I had to take meds (antipsychotic+depakote) in order to stay there.
I got better. I mean...I only recently got out, but I'm happy, I'm not terribly anxious, I don't have mood swings, I deal with things...and I'm off meds (this time, I did it gradually).
So, I'm back. Because at 26, I've found that re-entering the world after you've been out-of-commission because of "mental illness" is a pretty difficult affair. I'm here to help others and to get advice for myself, too.
Thanks everyone.
Posted by bleauberry on June 3, 2010, at 19:03:34
In reply to Its med_empowered...sort of..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 3, 2010, at 18:43:03
Christ empowered.
Me too.
Thank God.
I would be in a coffin or mental unit otherwise.
Posted by Phillipa on June 3, 2010, at 19:56:39
In reply to Its med_empowered...sort of..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 3, 2010, at 18:43:03
And I think of you all the time especially during weather report when you town is mentioned. Write please. Love Phillipa. ps I just knew it was you and welcome back!!!!!
Posted by topcatclr on June 3, 2010, at 21:50:55
In reply to Its med_empowered...sort of..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 3, 2010, at 18:43:03
That book is pure garbage in my opinion.
Posted by SLS on June 4, 2010, at 7:07:35
In reply to Its med_empowered...sort of..., posted by Christ_empowered on June 3, 2010, at 18:43:03
> Yeah, its me, med_empowered, back...as a different kind of ex-mental patient.
I don't recall your using the term "mental patient" to describe yourself in the past. I may be wrong. Is there any reason why you no longer wish to be labeled as being one now?
> Here's the story: I used to take pills... My results were bad.
Perhaps this is not the story for everyone.
> I stopped the meds...
> I stopped the meds. I ended up in the criminal justice system...
> I ended up in a Christian ("Christ-centered") treatment program...
> I got better.
I'm glad you found something that you feel now works for you.
Did you have much trouble discontinuing the Depakote and antipsychotic?
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on June 4, 2010, at 14:21:11
In reply to Re: Its med_empowered...sort of... » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on June 4, 2010, at 7:07:35
Mental illness is not a myth. All of the major mental illnesses exist and are very real. The fact that the labels are sometimes applied innapropriately does not negate the fact that the disorders exist.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on June 4, 2010, at 14:27:58
In reply to mental illness is real, but applied inappropriatel » SLS, posted by linkadge on June 4, 2010, at 14:21:11
> Mental illness is not a myth. All of the major mental illnesses exist and are very real. The fact that the labels are sometimes applied innapropriately does not negate the fact that the disorders exist.
Just my luck. I was hoping that it was just all in my head.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on June 4, 2010, at 18:33:39
In reply to Re: Its med_empowered...sort of... » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on June 4, 2010, at 7:07:35
Don't mean to sound harsh christ-empowered but don't you think its a little wierd that you were once "med-empowered" and now you are saying that mental illness is a hoax and that christ will do it all? I think you are going from one extreme to the other to be honest. This in itself is a symptom of bipolar.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2010, at 19:45:01
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other?? » SLS, posted by linkadge on June 4, 2010, at 18:33:39
Good point and googled the books seems related the word we can't use starts with an S. Phillipa ps not Scott
Posted by sigismund on June 4, 2010, at 20:44:47
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other?? » SLS, posted by linkadge on June 4, 2010, at 18:33:39
I certainly don't think anyone should feel under some kind of obligation to be joyful (not that I've anything against it if it turns up by itself).
Posted by Huxley on June 7, 2010, at 0:32:09
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other??, posted by sigismund on June 4, 2010, at 20:44:47
Hi Christ empowered.
Are you saying that you stopped taking all your medications and are now feeling better (after a really bad patch)?
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on June 7, 2010, at 5:59:40
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other??, posted by Huxley on June 7, 2010, at 0:32:09
I am glad you are feeling well, but I must admit that your post leaves me unsettled.
Meds are a powerful tool. Like all powerful tools they can bring great help if used correctly or great harm if used improperly (e.g., misdiagnosis, over-medication).
It sounds like your Christian treatment program supports the proper and responsible use of medication. Why do you feel you need to reject it?
BP I is not something that goes away. I worry that you will become ill again w/o meds to prevent reoccurence.
Meds are not something to be ashamed of. I believe that God has inspired humans to create these powerful tools for those of us who suffer.
Also, I felt a little hurt by your use of the term "mental patient." The world is not neatly divided into "normals" and "mental patients." We are all on a continuum. Some of us suffer with mental health concerns more and some less. Some suffer throughout their lives while others only have a brief episode or two. Some will need constant care and some will not.
That said, I am glad you have found the Lord. The struggle of mental health concerns is very difficult without the spirit to guide you.
I wish you well.
Best,
EE
Posted by ed_uk2010 on June 7, 2010, at 14:31:13
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other??, posted by sigismund on June 4, 2010, at 20:44:47
> I certainly don't think anyone should feel under some kind of obligation to be joyful (not that I've anything against it if it turns up by itself).
Good job. I'm not often joyful Sigi, but I do have a smile on my face right now :)
Posted by jade k on June 8, 2010, at 15:07:37
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other?? » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2010, at 19:45:01
> the word we can't use starts with an S. Phillipa ps not Scott
Good you cleared that up...
jade :)
Posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2010, at 20:40:51
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other?? » Phillipa, posted by jade k on June 8, 2010, at 15:07:37
Bet you figured out the word Phillipa
Posted by jade k on June 9, 2010, at 16:14:59
In reply to Re: one extreme to the other?? » jade k, posted by Phillipa on June 8, 2010, at 20:40:51
> Bet you figured out the word Phillipa
One of my favorites
~jade
This is the end of the thread.
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