Against the (Mi)grain(e) / Play Nice
Oh, I'm tired. Migraine city last night and early today. But I'm awake now, and at work, and rarin' to go.
One thing I've been wanting to say is that sometimes we get a little judgemental about the course of treatment others have chosen. I do it, the commenters here do it -- I think it's only natural. But we should respect each other's decisions: If you take meds, and you feel that works for you, great. If you don't take meds, and you feel that works for you, great. My mother used to say, rather wryly and sort of out of context: "Whatever gets you through the night." But there's something to that. Isn't that what we're all trying to do here? It's like rock climbing -- we move from one foothold to the next, and each step is challenging and sometimes draining. But each time our foot connects successfully, we feel we've achieved something important. Maybe you rock climb in a gym. Maybe you go to Patagonia to do it. Is this metaphor crapping out on me? Hmm.
My point is ... well, you know my point. Like, if you think cod liver oil will ease your depression, who am I to say no? I'm not Norwegian:
Cod liver oil may help with depression
Comments
I agree 100% with doing whatever works for you.
People get confused when you bring up forced psychiatry and Involuntary Outpatient Commital laws. http://www.qsos.ca/qspc/nfc/myth2.html
and then we also often have psychaitrists that are bad
and then we also have the science of psychiatry
Five most common things told to clients by Priests and Psychiatrists (according to scientific research).
P(riest): Your misery is not your fault; it is the will of God.
P(sychiatrist): Your misery is not your fault; it is the chemical imbalance in your brain.
P: Your kids became criminals not because you had no idea how to parent them; it is the will of God for them.
P: Your kids became criminals not because you had no idea how to parent them; it is the chemical imbalance in their brains.
P: You will get better if you read this prayer 3 times a day and come to see me once a month.
P: You will get better if you take this pill 3 times a day and come to see me once a month.
P: You are not alone; many people sin. Sinning is in human nature.
P: You are not alone; many people are sick. Being sick is normal.
P: I know what is best for you.
P: I know what is best for you.
Posted by: Mark (p.s.2) | June 14, 2007 02:38 PM
I hate taking psych meds. I'm on four (Lexapro, Buspar, Effexor and Remeron) that I do daily. Recently, I attempted an Effexor withdrawal, going from 450 mg (150 mg over the recommended 300 mg limit) down to 300. Went down very slowly and felt kinda OK for awhile. After a month or so, all my symptoms returned (panic, sweating, dizziness, etc.)and I'm now up to 375. I told my doc that I feel like a complete loser that I have to stay on such a high dose. He shrugged off my concern saying if you need it, be glad it is available.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis | June 14, 2007 05:32 PM
"Live your own life, for you will die your own death." - Roman proverb.
For those trying to decide whether or not they want to take anti-psychotics for themselves, here's a link to a potentially relevant article about a 15-year-long study. The conclusion of the study is summarized in the article's title, "People with schizophrenia not taking antipsychotics more likely to recover". The article is from a British publication. Interestingly enough, though the study was conducted in the United States, there hasn't been much press coverage of it in this country. Anyway, here it is:
http://psychminded.co.uk/news/news2007/June07/people002.htm
Posted by: Kent | June 16, 2007 04:17 PM
My question to Dennis is: why do you feel like a loser if you can't go without medicine? I know you are not alone in that feeling. Do we think people who can't go without chemotherapy are losers simply because they choose the medicine? Or maybe more to the point, do we think that people who don't go to the doctor to get a broken arm fixed are losers for not getting their arm fixed? Absolutely not. Your brain chemistry isn't about will power and until we someday realize that, people will continue to feel bad for things they have no control over. And, Dennis, I'm not criticizing you...I understand how you feel. I just wonder why we put this burden on ourselves???
Posted by: kristin | June 17, 2007 03:35 PM