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Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:47:10 -0000

Thanks for the conversation; I've enjoyed your passion and willingless to engage on this topic. Take care.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:58:24 -0000

It's a hypothetical, realistic case or vignette. I do not see the confusion. What does HIPAA have to do with hypothetical cases?

In the case, I did not say the patient committed a crime.

Anyways, I would not recommend forced hospitalization or medication to every person who says, "I'm depressed." Not everybody is hospitalized by force as you imply. Most people see a psychiatrist because they seek help on their own free will. Most psychiatric patients are treated in an office or other outpatient setting not a "mental hospital". Most mental illnesses can be managed successfully with talk therapy from a licensed professional counselor or psychiatrist. Most patients living with mental illness are prescribed psychotropic medications by non-psychiatrists (i.e., family physicians, internists, OB/GYNs, ER doctors, and pediatricians). Only rare, extreme cases result in hospitalization to protect a patient or others from threat of violence, homicidal/suicidal attempts (e.g. Hanging self in closet), or reckless endangerment (e.g. Driving a car into a flea market to run over "aliens" and escape attack from the white bear spirit).

Again, if a patient comes to me as a psychiatrist and the patient asks for medical therapy because talk therapy has had limited results for his/her particular complaint, then I do not see how the patient's free will is violated by giving psychotropic medication. To refuse a patient's request for medical therapy would be violation of his/her wishes; however, medications are sometimes not prescribed because of potential side effects, contraindications, or harm which doctors must always consider in treatment of any disease, psychiatic or otherwise.

To my knowledge the WHO and UN do not regulate psychiatric practice or run all U.S. Hospitals. Reference to these organizations is quite biazzare.

Happy trails!

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 11 May 2009 08:53:15 -0000

Now, you are just getting plain sloppy. Even responding to simple questioning proves to be overwhelming for you. Furthermore, your use of language and terminology is frequently incorrect and applied without much thought. Honestly, you often lose me in your train of thought. Many times while reading your work, I find myself asking, what the heck is this cat rambling out?

When asked clearly and directly about a case, you defer to obsessively discussing politics, political and organizational bodies, crime, and ministry/religion. For the love of maple oatmeal, I really do not understand the crime thing. I did not mention any legal history in the vignette.

FYI - I do not think depression and suicide are hilarious. I do not believe that everyone agrees with me or you for that matter. I often spend many a nights losing sleep while reading state constitutions...okay, that one is a lie.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Sun, 10 May 2009 11:40:32 -0000

I didn't realize that typing with CAPS LOCK was yelling, my bad. It was on so I just used it.

So what does listening without action achieve? Is that the therapy that works? If so, we are getting closer to something substantial now with this constructive discussion. I would definitely agree that listening, empathy, compassion, trust, confidentiality, and insightful reflection are all very therapeutic in a relationship, especially one between a patient and therapist.

Look, this is extremely simple. As an analogy, if I propose that gasoline is bad for the environment and that we should ban all gas burning engines immediately, the obvious response (given that everyone agrees with my proposal) would be, "How the hell do we get to work?" Yes, there must be an alternative solution. So a thorough proposal, hence a credible one, would not only state what the problem is but provide a solution or alternative. In the gas engine example, I could finish my proposal with recommendations that electric engines should be used instead.

Okay, back to our topic of discussion. We have a hypothetical case of a "FAMILY MEMBER, LOVED ONE, OR FRIEND" as described above presenting to you with signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder. Your proposal is that psychiatry is bad. As an alternate or solution, you would prefer to listen to her (the hypothetical girl with depression). What if your listening leaves you where you started. That is to say, she is still depressed and suicidal at the end of your conversation. Then what?

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Sun, 10 May 2009 08:36:47 -0000

IF YOUR FAMILY MEMBER, LOVED ONE, OR FRIEND CAME TO YOU WITH COMPLAINTS THAT SHE WAS VERY SAD AND DEPRESSED FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS WITH ALMOST ZERO ENERGY, NO APPETITE, DIFFICULTY SLEEPING, NO INTEREST IN GOING OUT OR DOING HER REGULAR ACTIVITIES, GRADES IN COLLEGE DROPPING FROM A's & B's TO D's & F's, A FEW REPRIMANDS AT HER PART TIME JOB FOR BEING FREQUENTLY LATE, AND SERIOUS THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE HOURLY TO DAILY WITH PLANS TO END IT ALL BY USING HER DAD'S HAND GUN, WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND HER TO DO IN YOUR PROPOSED ABSENCE OF PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOLOGY GIVEN THAT SHE HAS NO HISTORY OF SEEING ANYBODY FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE PAST AND TAKES NO MEDICATIONS?

I'M NOT ASKING HOW SHOULD A DOCTOR OR MENTAL HEALTH CARE WORKER RESPOND TO THIS SITUATION, ALTHOUGH YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS WOULD ALSO BE VERY HELPFUL. SIMPLY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO HER OR RECOMMEND HER TO DO GIVEN THE FACTS YOU HAVE ABOVE.

AGAIN, YOUR ABILITY TO ANSWER THIS RELEVANT, ON-TOPIC QUESTION MUST BE SATISFIED IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY TO YOUR ARGUMENTS THAT (1) MENTAL ILLNESS DOES NOT EXIST, (2) MENTAL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS ARE BRUTAL KILLERS (SIC), AND (3) MEDICATIONS ARE THE SOURCE OF ILLNESS NOT THE TREATMENT FOR ILLNESS.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:45:37 -0000

http://www.pharmfree.org/

I AGREE that funding must be transparent. In my opinion, public funding should be the primary source of healthcare and pharmaceutical research in all areas of medicine not just psychiatry. Once a drug is developed and approved, private industry could then bid competitively to manufacture and sell the products for the cheapest prices possible. I also support a universal healthcare system free of insurance, pharmacy INC. dominance, and private hospital big business.

http://www.pnhp.org/news/20...

Interestingly (OR NOT) drug companies have had major influences in politics and all specialties--an ethical issue of great interest and debate publically and professionally. Nonetheless, instead of discrediting an entire profession or specialty, efforts must be made to reform and redefine each specialty as innovations are made. Creating hate and fear is by no means a diplomatic method for improvement. Another problem with medicine in general is the resistance to change, which is probably worse than the military or government.

Case in point, Libby Zion died needlessly in NY (1984) likely due in part to over-worked, sleep-deprived doctors (patient's cocaine abuse was also an issue). "Libby Zion law" did not come into place until 5 years later in the state of NY, which limited residents to an 80-hour work week (still many old-school doctors feel that 100-hour work weeks are too restrictive). It wasn't until almost 20 years later that ACGME finally made this a national requirement for all U.S. residency programs. By the way, residents get paid on average $46,000/yr. What does that work out to be, around $11/hr? Registered nurses, with 2 years of post-high school education make 2-3 times this amount.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:07:23 -0000

I doubt that you will be one of my patients, at least voluntarily. Have a nice day.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:36:54 -0000

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:34:31 -0000

Wow!

Sally Satel, M.D. is an interesting psychiatrist on staff at Oasis and a survivor of mental illness herself (i.e., depression---http://booknot....

Watch out who you quote!!! Watch this video!!

"Oasis Treatment Center provides a full range of skilled and compassionate personnel. The interdisciplinary staff members include professionals specializing in the treatment of addictive disorders. The Medical Doctor, an addiction specialist, provides initial evaluations and our staff Psychiatrist is available for the dual-diagnosed client." (http://www.oasistreatment.o...

Dr. Satel's treatment of dual-diagnosis clients involves the following:

"There are three parts to dealing with clinical mood disorders, all equally important to fully address the issue. 1) Psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis followed by regular monitoring of medication with the goal of getting the client chemically balanced. 2) Individual and group therapies addressing specific addictions and co-occurring conditions."

Again, make sure watch this video: http://www.booknotes.org/Pr...

By the way, I know very little more about Sally Satel, except that she also writes on contraversial issues and puts forth some odd but thought-povoking questions. Good cognitive exercising it seems. However, the one excerpt I was reading from her book "The Health Disparities Myth" shows that she has really done this extremely important topic of racial disparity in medicine significant injustice.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:15:04 -0000

FYI, psychiatry is not religion; psychiatrists are not priests, ministers, or prophets. Psychiatrists are first and foremost physicians. Additionally, psychiatry and religion are not mutually exclusive. Being Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Atheist, etc. does not constitute mental illness. Research in mental health shows to the contrary that spiritual affiliation and strong social support leads to greater psychological resilience.

Prior to attending medical school, I was also student of biblical studies and theology. I scored in the national top 20th percentile for the Bible Doctrine Examination--a test taken by pastors in training for ministry. Let me emphasize the point that I firmly believe in the peaceful coexistence of many religions, spiritualities, cultures, and races.

Although most Republicans contribute the downfall of their party during this recent election to Sarah Palin, I believe her superior incompetence was a minor factor overshadowed by the co-dependent, enmeshed marriage of Christians (speaking of fundamentalist, conservative Protestants) to the Republican party, which turned off the majority of open-minded, educated Americans and minorities from different cultural and religious backgrounds. As America embraces the beauty of its true diversity, the dissociation from the Republican party will increase as long as it is identified as the Christian Caucasian clan that it presents itself as today.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:47:19 -0000

Menckenlite,

First you ask, "Do you and the psychiatric industry have a special secret knowledge that ordinary persons do not?"

Readers can easily assume from this rhetorical question that you believe psychiatrists do NOT have special secret knowledge beyond that of ordinary persons.

However, in stark contradiction, you write, "You ask me questions as if I were a psychiatrist. I am an ordinary citizen...."

Well, ACCORDING TO YOUR ORIGINAL OPINION, you do not need to be a psychiatrist to make clinical judgements. So, you should be able to answer, or your beliefs surrounding mental health are fatally flawed, which I believe the latter to be true.

Back to your question at the top of this comment, yes, psychiatrists do have "special secret knowledge" compared to laypersons. Yes, it is called 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 4 years of psychiatry residency, passing extremely rigorous United States Medical Licensing Exam Steps 1, 2 CS, 2 CK, and 3. Most psychiatrists also have extensive experience in scietific literature and many in clinical research in psychiatry and medicine.

All medical doctors, including surgeons, train in psychiatry as medical school students.

Is there a personal experience that has made this subject especially of interest to you? It is a shame that not all people experience professional and appropriate care.

I have a degree in psychology, and in 15 days I will be a doctor of medicine (M.D.). Best of luck in your ventures.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:37:08 -0000

You once wrote:

"Sarah Palin has executive experience leading the largest state in the union and as a Mayor. Obama is speaker without substance or consistency. This shows as he promotes himself on media instead of solving the problems he was elected to solve."

No wonder I was getting failed Sarah Palin antics from you!

http://www.huffingtonpost.c...

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:07:39 -0000

Dear misguided schlemiel,

I am not a salesman or a doctor. Rather, I am a student concerned about the health and wellbeing of individuals and society.

A psychiatrist by the name of Sigmund Freud, M.D. was not a Nazi but rather an Ashkanazi Jew like Albert Einstein. Edward Bernays, also a Jew, was not even a psychiatrist, in fact, "In 1912 he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in agriculture, but chose journalism as his first career."

Once again, you can not answer questions. Your proposed agenda has no solutions or even a structure or plan. Why do you avoid responding to questions? It's like an interview with Sarah Palin.

AGAIN...
Okay, I will answer some of your questions in the hope that you will answer the ones from this excerpt: "Your agenda is to wipe out psychiatry, psychology, social science, and disembowel the notion of mental illness. How does this help individuals suffering and actively SEEKING help on their own? Who would you refer patients suffering with mental illness when they seek help? How would you prefer treating depression and panic attacks? How would you treat a combative and agitated 70 year old male who just came out of surgery for colon tumor resection? Would you let him walk out of the hospital with extreme risk of post-op infection and lack of medical care?"

FYI(BELOW)==>FROM WWW.NAMI.ORG

HUD Allocates Funding for Homelessness Prevention
April 29, 2009

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has already moved aggressively to disburse more than $13 billion in funding for public housing modernization, economic development and project-based rent subsidy renewals. Critical among these is a $1.5 billion Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Fund. These funds will be allocated through existing state and local homeless programs by formula. However, there is unprecedented flexibility for state and local agencies to award these funds to individuals and families at imminent risk of homelessness in the current economic downturn.

State and local agencies that serve homeless individuals are already beginning to receive these funds with instructions to direct them in a variety of ways for rapid re-housing including: short-term or medium-term rental assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services, including such activities as mediation, credit counseling, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance, and case management.

NAMI affiliate leaders are strongly encouraged to get involved in the required planning process at the state and local level for allocation of resources from the Homeless Prevention Fund. It is critical that people living with serious mental illness and their families at risk of homelessness be able to access assistance from this initiative.

More information on the Homeless Prevention Fund is available on the HUD website.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) has also developed resources to help advocates and non-profits get involved in the planning for implementation of this program at the local level before the May 18 application deadline. More information is available on the NAEH website.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:11:31 -0000

Suicide is a critical issue. Depression does not respect boundaries of race, gender, or income. You must have proof and data to support claims that antidepressant treatment and psychotherapy increase suicide as opposed to placebo. Furthermore, mental health professionals treat patients who are often times suicidal to begin with and, hence, at a higher risk for suicidal behaviors. 300-400 physicians commit suicide in the U.S. each year. A large part for suicide among medical professionals results from the stigma associated with getting appropriate treatment--stigma which is promoted at the expense of patient health by extremist organizations like cchr. I am thankful for your imput as I was participating in this debate so that I may further understand your perspectives and the proposed alternatives to treatment of mental illness in the philosphical absence of psychiatry and psychology. At this stage, I am not convinced that witholding treatment is the best alternative.

Okay, I will answer some of your questions in the hope that you will answer the ones from this excerpt: "Your agenda is to wipe out psychiatry, psychology, social science, and disembowel the notion of mental illness. How does this help individuals suffering and actively SEEKING help on their own? Who would you refer patients suffering with mental illness when they seek help? How would you prefer treating depression and panic attacks? How would you treat a combative and agitated 70 year old male who just came out of surgery for colon tumor resection? Would you let him walk out of the hospital with extreme risk of post-op infection and lack of medical care?"

1. Was Humpty Dumpty a psychiatrist? I don't know, but I think he was a fictional character.

2. Why do people with problems go to psychiatrists? The reasons/motivations are vast as the number of different illnesses, types of practice settings, and many other variables. A 50 year old male recently divorced with a history of depression may convince himself to seek help to cope with increased stressors which have lowered his threshold for experiencing depression. Treatment with medication may be temporary. He must be thoroughly evaluated and tested. Yes, there are tests in psyhiatry (e.g. psychological measures/scales, blood tests--http://www.mayo.edu/..., thyroid studies for differential diagnosis, electrolytes for delirium, biological markers are in the pipline, etc.). To say that there is an isolated gene for depression, would be foolish at this point; most likely this will not materialize as depression, like many other diseases in medicine, has a multifactorial cause. In fact, there are many diseases in non-psychiatric medicine which do not have identified causes or specific marker genes.

In general, I would think that the higher the prevelance of any mental illness the more likely its incidence of presentation for treatment would be. Therefore, more common complaints of anxiety and depression would be more common than schizophrenia, which has a prevelance of only 1%. Also, addiction treatment is a very, very common problem especially in an economic recession. Alcohol abuse is a huge cause of medical comorbidity and also contributes to motor vehicle accidents and death; I would like to see optimal treatment for alcohol abuse. Saying that alcohol abuse or addiction does not exist or is normal (hence should be left untreated), is quite naive to say the least.

70-90% of antidepressants and anti-anxiety (i.e. anxiolytics) are prescribed by non-psychiatrists, such as general practice physicians, family medicine doctors, internists, pediatricians, surgeons, etc. These are physicians not formally trained in mental illness. I would turn your admirable energy to the advocacy of proper use of psychotropic medication by physicians trained in mental illness this would eliminate over-use of psychotropic medications and ensure proper use and diagnosis.

3. Why do they put their parents in nursing homes? I'm assuming you are referring to people in general. I'm not sure for each case. I think caring for an elderly patient who is in severe bone pain dying from metastatic cancer would be a difficult job for a working single mother of 2 children. Putting her mother in hospice care is not unacceptable. Dementia, a neuropsychiatric illness, also can become complicated with patients setting fires by forgetting cooking food. Full-time surveillane can be very stressful for the family members with competing work, family, social, etc. demands.

4. Why are social problems psychiatric? Psychiatric illnesses often lead to social problems more than not. For example, a schizophrenic patient who shows up to the office naked, screaming, and paranoid that the FBI has planted a homing device in his underwear creates a problem which impacts others, hence a social issue. An addict to cocaine and marijuanna happens to be an eye surgeon shows up to work to do a corneal transplant on your family member and "accidently" mistakes the eye for an insect and gouges it out; this would create a social issue. A depressed father of 5 can not make payments and lost his job, results to suicide after killing all his family members while refusing to see a psychiatrist because he was "man enough to care for himself". Yes, these any many many more case scenarios based on actual incidents happen every day in the U.S. and world wide. The impact of refusing mental health care and refusing to treat patients who desire help for emotional, addiction, and other psychiatric illness is tremendous, and I would not want to take responsibility for the moral and ethical implications.

5. When did having a feeling, an emotion become a mental illness? Feelings are natural and can be most healthy to experience, share, and develop. Feeling depressed to the point of apathy, self-destruction, and lack of capacity to care for self or others creates a problem. In the not so distant past and in all of history, patients with mental illness, espcially among Christians, were burnt, tortured, abandoned, or abolished from society many living in caves or essentially torture centers. Psychiatry has come a long way in transforming mental illness and care for patients suffering from egodystonic psychiatric issues. How society veiws mental illness and patients with disease largely impacts how we all care for each other. Just like in the case of AIDS/HIV. At first, the stigma, hate, and fear was unmeasurable. Some religious leaders even labelled HIV as the curse from God meant to wipe out homosexuals; the thought was patients should be left to their own demise without treatment. Thankfully, many folks have left this ignorant approach and treatment for HIV/AIDS is advancing.

6. Is Obama giving stimulus funds to drug companies? Personally, I am not aware if he donates to drug companies. In terms of stimulus money, I haven't heard of money going directly to drug companies. Please go to www.recovery.gov to see exactly where our money is going. Psychiatrists do not run the government; to believe this, would be evidence for the ignorance surrounding the lack of impact psychiatrists have in contrast to financial institutions, automakers, pharmaceutical companies, etc.

7. Do Constitutional Rights apply to persons with disabilities? Yes, they apply to all U.S. citizens. Google "American Disabilities Act".

8. Do you know how much taxpayer money is appropriated for homelessness? No, please give me the exact number. I don't know where to find this fact.

9. Do you know how much is spent on academic consultants who write papers on how to solve the problem? No, please give me the exact number. I don't know where to find this fact.

10. Taxpayers fund psychiatric drugs for homeless persons but have no money for housing them. What special interest arranged that priority? Well, I did not know that no money existed for housing the homeless (see answer to question 8). Honestly, without facts off-hand, I highly doubt $0 exists for housing the homeless; on the other hand, I personally would agree that funding for care of the homeless is lacking. Interestingly, social workers are a good source of information on this issue. This would be a great place to start volunteering for you. Volunteer in a homeless shelter. It is good for the soul. I've enjoyed my experiences in volunteering for the homeless, abused, hungry, sick, and with patients with mental illness. It is more educational than cchr propaganda. Yes, thank you for info on Edward Bernays--what an interesting and influential character in American history!

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:49:07 -0000

1. Come on playa playa, you didn't even answer the questions regarding your preferred treatment recommendations in the previous post.

2. "watching as the politicians do what you think I do"
I don't understand that statement.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:12:31 -0000

I meant that you should personally volunteer in a mental health facility or homeless shelter to get first-hand experience. To live disconnected from the real experience as you browse the www for support of your ideals is really a loss.

True. Homelessness is largely a problem resulting from mental illness; however, many people find themselves in unfortunate financial situations despite having a previously history of no mental illness. Psychologists, by enlarge (depending on state legislature), treat mental illness without medications. Do you feel that their definitions of mental disorders are irrelevant as well since they too are using the same criteria.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/tak...

Mental illness is only illness when it impairs an individual to an extent to care for self or become a danger to self or others. For example, delirium and dementia are common mental disorders which can be medical emergenices threatening fatality (i.e. delirium) or cause one to be dangerous to self by forgetting to take medications for diabetes, forgetting their location or family, etc. (i.e. dementia).

Your agenda is to wipe out psychiatry, psychology, social science, and disembowel the notion of mental illness. How does this help individuals suffering and actively SEEKING help on their own? Who would you refer patients suffering with mental illness when they seek help? How would you prefer treating depression and panic attacks? How would you treat a combative and agitated 70 year old male who just came out of surgery for colon tumor resection? Would you let him walk out of the hospital with extreme risk of post-op infection and lack of medical care?

You are ignoring so many critical issues that it is rediculous! According to your health policy, a patient would walk up to a doctor's office saying, "I'm depressed and suicidal. Please help me." Your recommended response, "Depression and suicide are normal parts of life. Please leave the office. I have nothing to offer you except drugs that will destroy your life. Have a nice day." To let a patient just walk out without supportive treatment creates massive legal liability, and in the event of suicide the non-treating physician obviously becomes the failing party in ignoring the PATIENT'S complaint and request for help.

The drug company is not the patient. Drug companies are essential for the creation of life-saving medications. How else do you recommend medications be developed? By magic?

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:09:56 -0000

Believe it or not, I really do not have a special list of what is P.C. Using a label like "psychopath" in a derogatory sense undermines the positive movement in helping persons living with mental illness.

I would recommend volunteering some time helping the mentally ill and homeless in order to familiarize yourself with the impact of mental illness with the approach of an open mind. Also, please watch PBS Frontline April 28, 2009 for the special titled "The Released".

First, do you believe that someone can be depressed so severely to the point of disability? Second, if the answer is yes, what treatment would you recommend or approach to helping this person would be?

Yes, I am not Joe.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:17:13 -0000

How can psychiatrists be "psychopaths" when you do not believe that psychiatric illness exists?

Calling someone a "retard" or "retarded" is politically incorrect. However, the term "mental retardation" is not politically incorrrect.

"Mental retardation is a generalized disorder, characterized by subaverage cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors with onset before the age of 18. Once focused almost entirely on cognition, the definition now includes both a component relating to mental functioning and one relating to the individual's functional skills in their environment."

It is not shameful to have mental retardation. It is shameful to think the former.

P.S. Is this Tom Cruise?

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:38:09 -0000

Interesting opinion.

Mechanics often see things wrong with my car that I can not see due to expertise and training. Again, I would not trust any mechanic, nor would I say that all mechanics are perfect or ethically motivated in their profession. You must seek treatment from someone you trust. Do not throw out the baby with the bath water.

What is the cause of schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc. in your opinion? What is the cause of mental retardation or is this not a reality in your opinion? What about addictions treatment? To make a statement that psychiatry (the entire profession, body of research, treatment successes, etc.) and everything about mental illness is a hoax is extremely generalizing, polarizing, and essentially unhelpful to patients who know that their mental illness is real, when you believe that mental illness is fantasy.

The goal of a real psychiatrist is to treat patients and improve quality of health. Psychiatrists who do not hold true to this standard are truly a shame to the profession. Psychiatrists also treat with psychotherapy and alternative therapies, not just coporate drug company agendas.

P.S. I was a student of Dr. Beer's, Merck's editor-in-chief.

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:50:10 -0000

* http://www.amazon.com/Cente...

Re: The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Study Reveals Suicide Risk Statistics

jtr03c — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:47:04 -0000

menckenlite, the concern for the effectiveness and side effects of any medication, pscyhotropic or otherwise, is a critical issue. Every scientific limitation. Each study can not focus on every topic or issue. Good science focuses on a particular issue in-depth so that methods can be repeated. Here, the article focuses on the epidemiology and seriousness of suicidality among college students not double-blind controlled studies of antidepressants. Suicide and murder-suicide behaviors are critical social and medical issues. For the understanding and knowledge of the efficacy and safety of medication, I would prefer seeking professional opinion over street opinions. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding treatment of mental illness and living with mental illness itself inhibits acceptance of treatment and hence the compliance with taking psychotropic medications is extremely poor outside of controlled studies.

Furthermore, we could ask the question, "Why should anyone trust anybody?" My best advice would be to seek treatment only with the physician you trust. I think the best treatment comes from a psychiatrist who understands you and is an advocate of your health along every aspect. Cardiologists and physicians from every speciatly treat disease using multidrug regimens, which you refer to as "cocktails". Medicine is a science and research based profession as much as it is a clinical profession. That being said, there is no substitute for years of experience and clinical training to advance decision making on a patient-by-patient basis. Patients, after all, are individuals and require individualized treatments.

Best of luck. Please consider reading more about mental illness at http://www.nami.org/ or http://www.nmha.org/. Many patients are successfully and happily treated, living enriching lives despite having a mental illness (please read*). Some patients are not satisfied. Whatever the reason for poor treatment results, we must strive for the best treatments and advance research in this field, NOT ABANDON our efforts.