psychiatry

I think that drugs are seen as a quick and easy answer, whilst the side effects of some anti-psychotic drugs can be so bad that they put alot of people off taking them.

On the other hand, the talking cure and other types of non-drug related therapy like group therapy and cognitive therapy aren't available everywhere and in most places all a psychiatrist will ask a patient is
"Are you taking your medication? How is it working?
Should we increase/lower/change your medication?".

I think that people with serious psychiatric problems need more than 'pill pushers'. They need respect and friendship.

I also know, because I come from a medical family; that alot of doctors are terrible snobs who look down on their patients; particularly if they're working class and uneducated and, if they have
a psychological illness; in many cases they will be viewed by their condescending GP/Consultant as a child incapable of looking after themselves.

Would it be reasonable to describe George Osbourne, Chancellor of the UK, as a delusional psychotic?

Are the medical records of these people in such positions of power going to be made available to the public or are they kept privately?

(have you heard the latest government 'initiative' regarding the NHS and lifesciences?)

Love from me.

Before I timeout ... If you have a serious drug or alcohol problem, it is recommended that you seek help through AA and or clinics to reduce your addiction, accessing the group therapy with others in a similar circumstance before moving on to 1-1 therapy.

Speaking for myself, anti depressants worked for me many years ago at a time when I was trapped in a relationship and job with people who bullied me. I tried meditation / yoga which can work but not when you need serious help. The anti depressants helped me remember who I was and escape from the job and the relationship. I still feel the cold touch of depression from time to time - I felt it today for a minute so I run and I run far and often. What works for one person won't for another and that is what is wrong with generalised and repeat prescriptions

By the way, Jacques07. I think you're brave to be so open.

There are only a few psychiatric illnesses that
have become socially acceptable these days; like depression. I know a few people who pretend to have depression because the social stigma is less
and they've told me that, the moment people discover their real illness they start to treat them differently.

In my experience, even some of the most educated, liberal and broad minded people have a hang up about those with a psychiatric illness.

They may be ok with every other minority group; including those who are differently abled but
when they're confronted by someone with a psychiatric illness then they start turning into David Brent and it usually takes themselves or a close relative becoming ill before they start viewing a person with a psychiatric illness as 'just like them'.

I so agree with your comment Lavadis. Medication can help take you back to a place where your own will and motivation can start to kick in. But it's only part of the equation; exercise (I'm a fan of the run), rest and talking with non-judgemental sources are also hugely helpful remedies. Emotional illness is a multifactorial problem and requires a diverse approach/solution. One size does definately not fit all.

My thoughts and good wishes to anyone suffering under a black cloud right now.

I wouldn't be alive if I didn't take my medications. life is unbearable for me without them. I also go to therapy, which is free thanks to my govt, and I go to AA for my drug and alcohol problems. with all those things combined, I feel ok, at least well enough to keep trying. and yes, it did take a while to find the right medications, but it was worth it in the end. again, I would be dead without them.

also, I think its everyone else that's crazy and I'm the only sane one.

Thank you all for your comments. They were very insightful...

They say that doctors bury their mistakes, besides; I believe in choosing your own poison...

Cheers.

Psychiatrists are physicians, not doctors or surgeons.

Physicians treat with drugs what cannot be seen. It isn't science or art.

A lot of very insightful comments. As someone with mental health problems, who has also worked in mental health - the stigma is still there. One of my jobs was to `recruit' ceebrities to the cause. But their agents often tell you `Oh that's all in the past now. They don't like to talk about that any more'. Then you find them supporting charities for fluffy dogs. Not that I personally have anything against fluffy dogs.

A real problem within psychiatry is subtle pressure from drugs companies. They swear blind that their drugs have no side-effects or withdrawal effects, so patients are not believed when they try to tell the all-powerful psychiatrist they are feeling terrible.

Rule of thumb for majority of anti-depressants - takes at least two weeks to get used to side-effects, can start to work within two to three weeks but generally acheive maximum potential at around three months (particularly for anxiety, OCD etc) and are a bugger to get off. I do believe they can be useful, but only as part of the wider picture, and should be combined with cognitive or psychotherap plus exercise where possible. Group therapy has a relatively good outcome, when other therapies havefailed.

I won't blather on anymore - I am sure I've cured you all of insomnia anyhow.

nw Blightersrock
Hi! heres go whatever,in life happens,
I have been there,in all you say!
So I know and understand where your all,
coming from. We all function in different ways.
And all different personalities on earth,mine was
not drink! All can say. I used come away,after and just sit on seat and cry! Even married not by your side,or understand. Taken me 14 years,plus being mentally,and emotional,physical,and last spiritual
Only,and help others. They do say,didn't think you
ever get over it. Another no cure 'like cramp in the leg! they said. Wasn't the leg, I wanted die, honestly 14 years,
once twice a month trapped inpart of the body!
One doesn't know time of day or night,and a toddler then look after,depressants alone so strong,one day I threw down pan,after six years. but my head felt if it was blasted off. Never do that only
gradually under supervision.
But goal is get out there and do something,and never let anyone put you down, tret all love and respect.
Set yourself a challenge! and join try something?
Always go back! regularly if whatever on,doesn't suit
you,unless told, not come off! still ask?
I couldn't do a thing! that's all can say! or speak!
But well blessed now. And doing so many things within my limit. Agree with you Richard.
Even paracetamol etc, all have side effects.
So many of depressants have,known so many people.
bless all of you. I know what I am talking about truely. For reasons I cannot and must not put,leave
it there. Forgiveness. Forget! Course in christain world,all is forgiven,the past is the past one is taught! an in his healing touch.
psalm I was taught,once,"my god will watch over me,
told to use,course I didn't believe but when saw vicar next day,well? did it work umm yes! etc; sleep like a top now. Never be told no cure!
Just ask and pray! I didn't could one day for others
So I find at times,difficult me answer comments if at all correctly.
bless you all.
cavalcaderl julie x

I have had mental health issues for about 35 years and then the pain which went on before that. I have been treated with all sorts of different medication, all of which never really prevented me from becoming psychotic and had crippling side-effects.
Now, years later having quit drugs and booze and taking a tiny dose of medication , I am of the opinion that age has healed a lot and I am living a fine life. Although I am on a disability pension and have been for years my life seems to finally have come together and I find myself living a relatively quality life with a lot of harmony and balance. I have dismissed all contact to established psychiatry and do self- therapy- fresh air and keeping fit is a a vital part of any self therapy. I have lowered my dose of medication and expect to completely off it in a couple of years substituting it with the aforesaid treatment: fresh air, light, keeping fit and an active social life. These are important ingredients.

I totally agree with Well-wisher. He seems to have nailed the whole treatment scheme very well. Well a lot of the comments above are worth considering. I am very very sceptic as to the established treatment system. (I am in Denmark not England!)
But I think that you have to be on your toes as to treatment- yes cognitive therapy is very very good.

I have been through years of pain and distress to get this far and I don't wish it for anyone.

Try to maintain your integrity and don't let yourself be swayed by the psychiatrists one sided view on medication. If it helps you then good- if there are too many side-effects try to listen to what your peers say and insist on a personally worthy treatment. Your psychiatrist has to respect you as an individual- they have great difficulty in doing this I know. they seem to be so narrow minded. I have only ever met one psychiatrist in all these years who was a "friend".

Sorry about the long comment.
It is all a bit distressing with these medicine orientated psychiatrists but that is their function- medicine!
atb
;)Pia
I am not a nut case but very "ordinary" and "normal" but I am very sad about not being able to chuck in my worth as a worker and keeping the wheels of the community spinning. This was a mistake from the authorities. A very quick decision to take me out of the work force.

Thank you for sharing your story Pia, mine is not all that different.

It's like they say; it's not if your queer, it's how queer are you..?

All the best...

Suffering is not an illness and only a society as completely bizarre as the one we live in could consider it so. I understand why people use medication but how is this any different than self-medicating with alcohol and illegal drugs? I've been through both by the way.

Psychiatry/Therapy is a business. It's not about helping people - although of course there are some therapists who genuinely want to help (a small minority in my experience).

The problem is not at bottom about this or that feeling or addiction it's about your relationship to your life. When you feel bad it's not because you are ill, it's how you feel in the circumstances you find yourself in. The roots of the feeling may lie very deep, far beneath this or that job, the marriage, the money problems etc.

Of course the psychiatrist will tell you that the problem is you.

Some time ago I lived in London. I used to travel to work every day on a packed tube train, no room to move, sweaty stinking bodies stuffed together like grey-suited sardines. In summer the heat could be unbearable. And on my route, almost every day, the train would stop in a tunnel for up to 15 minutes. There was a young woman, a regular commuter, who began to wail after about 5 minutes. The response from the other travellers was of course derision, stupid grins, rolling eyes and so on. I didn't wail but I did think that the young woman had the deepest and clearest appreciation of what we were experiencing.