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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on July 30, 2014, at 12:17:58
At least in the US?
Its like...pills! More pills! New(er) pills!
OK. There is no magic pill for any mental illness. I read that, in the US at least, things are worse for the mentally ill than they were 150 years ago. At least back then, people were more likely to have intact, extended families and there were some asylums based on the Quaker concept of "moral treatment" that did get good results (who knew that humane treatment, personal space, clean air, and productive activity could lead to recovery? Apparently, the 19th century Quakers).
I just don't get it. Its irrational. Not only do we spend $$$ on the shrinks and counselor and hospitals, we'll spend $$$ on the latest, greatest cocktails of pills and blood work and such. But...social programs? Pshaw! Its a BRAIN PROBLEM.
Clearly, the issue is American culture. We're not supposed to question our society. Take responsibility, be accountable, pick yourself up by your boot straps, etc. Read: its all your fault.
I don't doubt that mentally people suffer elsewhere, but it seems that to be "Mad in America" is to be stigmatized, a loser, an outcast, expendable in a way that just doesn't happen in other places.
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 30, 2014, at 14:22:14
In reply to why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 30, 2014, at 12:17:58
The Problem is not the abundance of pills...
I have witnessed Psychiatry in both Germany and the US.
I would say i am better of here in Germany because i have health insurance. Also i am in a rehab place and i don't know if places like this exist in the US. I am kept here over a year and its all in all pretty good care. Care that is designed to get me back on my own two feet. We do all the stuff ourselves. Like housework, sorting medications, food etc.
Its a difficult topic. I wouldn't say that there is less stigma in Germany. There is more stigma, but also more social support. In the US you will see everyone talking about their diagnosis and all that and you hear it all the time. At least in Cali. But the support is lacking
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2014, at 18:08:33
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Lamdage22 on July 30, 2014, at 14:22:14
Too easy here for people to get Disability that are not disabled . Perfect example lives next door to me. Didn't want to teach anymore so got her pdoc to say she couldn't take ad's and so he gave her a diagnosis of bipolar. Also her Mother has a strange form of dystrophy so she sought out a Ortho guy who gave her steroid shots in kness and then the rooster shots. Hired a lawyer and brings in $3200 a month. Just returned from a trip to Chicago. Bilking the system. I tried to report her to SSRI but they want the persons SS number. Not how the heck would I get that? So abuse of the system is still happening. She had the money for a good lawyer so won. Right now is outside mowing her lawn. I read the papers submitted and they said bipolar and unable to sit or stand or walk. Boy you sure hit a nerve with me. Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on July 31, 2014, at 14:16:33
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2014, at 18:08:33
Haha, Phillipa,
you are getting me started on the things you can do with a lawyer in the US. From over herein Germany, our jaws drop again and again looking at the outcomes of some of those legal cases.
Inexplicable.
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2014, at 20:22:56
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Lamdage22 on July 31, 2014, at 14:16:33
Some which never ever should have been approved. Meanwhile the sick person who can't afford a lawyer ends up going without. It not fair. Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on August 4, 2014, at 17:27:26
In reply to why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Christ_empowered on July 30, 2014, at 12:17:58
Christ_empowered:
"Clearly, the issue is American culture. We're not supposed to question our society. Take responsibility, be accountable, pick yourself up by your boot straps, etc. Read: its all your fault."
I agree with what you are saying, to a degree. I have this WASP Protestant meme (what I would label the quote above) living in my head as well. It is probably one of the most powerful mythological tenets underlying American culture. However, I am always puzzled when writer, politicians, actors, MSM talking heads, and the like, pretend like "America" is the most conservative place in the world, when, in fact, in most ways, it is the most empathic and liberal. This is especially true when it comes to mental health issues. Surely, people do not think that East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Russia, the Middle East, South or Central America are better in terms of these conservative attitudes? In my experience, they are not; in fact, these places have far more conservative attitudes toward mental health issues, attitudes so regressive as to make even conservative Americans cringe. While I am certainly frustrated with mental health treatment in the United States, I nevertheless understand that it is better here than almost anyplace else in the world. I certainly think my status on the "loser train" would be much higher in Confucianist East Asia, Hindu South Asia, animist/zealously evangelical Africa, or Orthodox Christian Russia than it is in humanist-Calvinist-neo-liberal North America.
Chris
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 9, 2014, at 14:02:52
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment? » Christ_empowered, posted by Chris O on August 4, 2014, at 17:27:26
Do you really believe that?
Posted by Chris O on August 9, 2014, at 18:27:07
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment?, posted by Lamdage22 on August 9, 2014, at 14:02:52
Yes, I think so. Do you have a different opinion? I've traveled a bit, and live in an ethnically diverse community, and my wife is Chinese-American, so I guess I base it on my own personal experience. I'm open to discussion, though.
Chris
Posted by Lamdage22 on August 10, 2014, at 1:12:26
In reply to Re: why no psychosocial treatment? » Lamdage22, posted by Chris O on August 9, 2014, at 18:27:07
Well i think it depends on the countries that you compare with..
I would say that Germany is a little more liberal than the US. Although we owe much of it to you americans ;)
This is the end of the thread.
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