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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 jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
Not meant to offend anyone who has/had cancer, but it really irritates me that doctors, especially many psychiatrists, take mental illness so lightly. Do they not realize the global weight of mental illness, how many human-hours it takes, and the horrific toll on quality of life? This is an illness that can kill just *like* any other, and brings just as much suffering as any.
Ughhh..
/rant
Jay
Posted by Elle2021 on January 20, 2004, at 4:24:07
In reply to Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
Hi Jay,
Unfortunately, I think that many people still view depression and other mental illnesses in one of two ways:1. All people with a mental illness are crazy and potentially violent. They should be avoided at all costs.
2. People with depression/mental illness have a bad attitude and just need to "snap out of it," or grow up.
Both views are very incorrect. I hope that in the future, mental illness will be taken more seriously and dealt with more compassionately.
Elle
Posted by Angielala on January 20, 2004, at 8:32:03
In reply to Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
Jay-
What you just said is what I chant in my head and work myself into a panic attack so often... it's one of those things that makes me the most angry about the STIGMA. I usually ask "Would you tell someone in a wheelchair that they are just asking for pity?" Maybe "normal" people don't want to see it... i just don't know...
> Not meant to offend anyone who has/had cancer, but it really irritates me that doctors, especially many psychiatrists, take mental illness so lightly. Do they not realize the global weight of mental illness, how many human-hours it takes, and the horrific toll on quality of life? This is an illness that can kill just *like* any other, and brings just as much suffering as any.
>
> Ughhh..
>
> /rant
> Jay
Posted by gardenergirl on January 20, 2004, at 9:09:07
In reply to Re: Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by Angielala on January 20, 2004, at 8:32:03
Jay,
I know exactly what you mean!
My doc told me I just needed to "think more positively"! Yes, it's true that would be considered part of CBT, which is not his deal as he is not a therapist. But that was his only advice as he wrote out a scrip for me. I was not only offended, I was surprised as it was for an MAOI, and he did not even mention all the dietary restrictions. Good think I already knew.
But saying "just think more positively" to someone with depression is like saying, "just make more insulin" to someone with diabetes. Give me a break! If that were all it took, we'd all feel great!
gg
Posted by Penny on January 20, 2004, at 9:16:14
In reply to Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
I totally agree!!! There is still a lack of understanding when it comes to mental illness, and I am most frustrated when I hear things from people who aren't convinced that it's even real. I like to say, "If you don't believe in the reality of mental illness, you should spend a week in the psych ward..." Not that I hadn't suffered from depression for years before my first hospital visit last summer, but being there, surrounded by others 'like me' made it all really hit home...
Of course, then there's the reality that the docs and nurses and b.h.techs in the hospital were still, even after working with those of us with mental illness, ignorant as to what it's really like. Sigh.
P
Posted by Poet on January 20, 2004, at 12:03:38
In reply to Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
Jay,
I work in health care administration for a large organization that has a psychiatry department. I understand that due to confidentiality we can't see anyone on staff. No problem, there are "approved providers."
The problem is our health insurance is so limited for mental health care that it's basically useless.
All non-mental health care is covered 100 percent.I don't get it and I never will.
Poet
Posted by tabitha on January 20, 2004, at 16:57:27
In reply to Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by jay on January 20, 2004, at 3:41:40
Doesn't seem fair does it? I think one thing standing in the way of understanding is just how scary it is to admit that all the stuff we see as our 'self', our personality, will, thinking, etc, is based in large part in an organ.. the brain.. that can malfunction just like a pancreas or liver. It's such a blow to the ego to admit we're not in control of our minds.
Posted by Karen_kay on January 20, 2004, at 17:19:13
In reply to Re: Would cancer be taken so lightly?, posted by gardenergirl on January 20, 2004, at 9:09:07
But saying "just think more positively" to someone with depression is like saying, "just make more insulin" to someone with diabetes.
What, you mean that if you have diabetes you can't just make more insulin? That's too much! I really do like that comparison! :)
You would think that someone in this specific field of training would be a bit more sympathetic to the feelings of the clients. One would hope anyway....
My Pdoc is usually great in that he doesn't try to give undo advice or old cliches. I have questions and he has answers. Very cut and dry. That's what I have come to expect. But, he is also very reassuring. Today I had a particular situation in which the mood stabilizer I am taking may have potential side effects that may make it unavailable for me to continue with. He was very reassuring and convinced me, as best he could, that those side effects wouldn't happen to me. Still crossing my fingers but he did a good job. I suppose I got lucky with my therapist and Pdoc.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 20, 2004, at 23:30:21
In reply to Re: Would cancer be taken so lightly? » gardenergirl, posted by Karen_kay on January 20, 2004, at 17:19:13
I feel ya, Jay. There was one time I got in a confrontation with my old Manager, he knew my dx. Big mistake. I was coming off lex and lithium, one day I came to work late, shaking uncontrollably. I could barely think my way through walking. Anyway I told him I couldn't work and had to leave, he told me to "get out there, it's busy." This went back and forth for a while. Finally, I asked him what the h*ll his problem was with me. I asked him if I was having seizures or bleeding all over the floor if it would make any difference. He actually had the nerve to say, "well that's different." To make my point, I grabbed a box cutter and then though better of it.
That's okay, though. I have a new boss now, same company. All she knows is that I have a pain condition and she's been very good to work with. Over the last 1 1/2 months I've been making my old boss's job a living nightmare. But I digress.
It's incredibly frustrating how people with mental illness are treated like second class citizens. What works for me is to just keep plugging away, and lying as needed.
It's a struggle but you're not alone brother
This is the end of the thread.
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