Psychiatrists:Why do most of you take patient side effects so non-chalantly?

Question

At the risk of sounding nasty, can anyone of you talk to us about the last time YOU had dry mouth, erectile dysfunction, wieght loss/wieght gain, leg tremors/restless leg syndrome, impotence,psychotic symptoms mimicked or amplified by medication, blurred vision, slurred speach, ticks, convulsions and a host of other symptoms associated with psychotropic medications? What would any of you say if someone just told you to "ride it out"? is that th epsych version of "stay the course"!?

Bumblei, I have seen people go through thsi sort of thing for YEARS with no significant improvement.you say that each case is individual, but that pretty much makes my case for me.Generally speaking, psychs do not treat their patients as individuals, they walk in as people with problems and walk out feeling like a label that someone behind a desk created to justify insurance billing.

Petrel, please tell me in how many languages you can bleat like a phuckin' sheep?

Geofry B and Intelligent friendlist, I did not identify myself as a patient, though I think to one extent or another, we have all become Quasi-patients due to the psychologizing of western society ( but that's another debate).I appreciate your comments and I do hope that you do/will practise Psychiatry with the same sensitivity, patience, and compassion that your answers
portray.

Bumblei, I agree that it is a joint decision, but there are many people out there who feel that they are not qualified to speak on behalf of their own minds and bodies-or should I say, intimidated into feeling this way.Nevertheless, if you have a good Doctor and you have found what works best for you, that's cool.

Intelligent friend, I just wanted to add that sex IS a part of functioning;Especially if you have a spouse or commited partner.A man who is already suffering from a mental illness that must be treated with medications doesn't need to have a second helping of misery added to his plate with the blow that sexual dysfunction often delivers to a patient's self esteem-which is doubtless impoverished from being mentally ill in the first place.

Answer 1

It comes down to making a choice between the symptoms of your illness, which are not likely to go away on their own, or the side effects of the medication, which usually do subside. It's not a fair deal by any means, and I know from experience what it's like. Mental health medications are far from perfect, and we certainly do have a lot of room for improvement, but at the same time we've also come a long ways.

Because the side effects for meds can be so unpleasant, I think they should be reserved as a last resort, but that's just me. I know there are plenty of docs out there that hand them out without barely talking to you; guess what? These are bad doctors, and its time to go see a new one.

Depending on the illness, there's almost always some alternatives to medication to try out first. Also, there are usually different kinds of medications to try, some of which you may tolerate better. If your doctor isn't willing to discuss with you about these alternatives, I highly suggest finding a new one that will.

Hang in there, and I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

People don't typically have EVERY side effect. Your doctor (well, depending on how serious of a psychiatric issue you have) can't force you to take prescriptions, you and your doctor weigh the risks and benefits together and decide whether or not to take the med. Also, psychiatric medicine is very individual specific so it can take a few months to find the right dosage for you, during which you might have more side effects than you will during the final outcome. And even if you do have a few side effects during the end, they typically will not last the entire treatment time.

Having dry mouth is typically better than being *insert illness*, and much more temporary. Psychiatric illnesses arent the flu, and usually won't go away by themselves.


*Edit*

Again, the choice to take medications (unless youre admitted to a hospital and its out of your control) is a JOINT decision between doctor and patient. It is your responsibility to ask for a different dosage and tell about your problems. If youre doctor treats you like a label, you need to find a different doctor....Ive never had that experience.

Answer 3

The side effects are usually receeding. That means that after your system stabilizes and adjusts to the medication, the side effects lessen or disappear entirely. Also, the list of side effects has the percentages of those having each one and those taking sugar pills having the same ones. So some are not really there. The way these medications work with others like cholesterol, heart, blood pressure, and even multi vitamins is not well documented or explained. I went thru about 15 medications before I picked the one that I could best live with. I still hate it, but without it, we have no life. There is nothing a doctor or psychiatrist can do about that, and their ego won't often let them admit their shortcomings. The fact that drug companies do this to us and to an extent to them, and then hold us for ransom like prices, says we should attack the drug companies first. Hope this helps. Also watch out for over medication. Erectile dysfunction, slurred speech, and twitching excessively are signs that you are over medicated. They tend to do this if you are a problem patent (complain too much about little things) (are a cutter, or frequently "attempt" suicide as a way of acting out). Only complain about those things that seriously impact your ability to function. Function in this case is getting up, washing, and dressing, and getting out or doing something each day. Can you cook and clean for yourself. The whole objective is to allow you to function as much as necessary to take care of yourself without you being a danger to yourself or others. If you can't have sex right now, that is not important:: If memory is a little fuzzy, that is not important. You need to take charge of your treatment in a reasonable fashion and target function, and then you can go after other things one at a time. Mounding each big problem with a stack of little ones does you or your psychiatrist no good. Make and set goals. Again, sorry for being long and do hope this helps.

Answer 4

Sure! WARNING following this religion may cause other simple minded people to judge you based on the views and actions of a minority of the followers simply because they are the loudest and make for good news stories. Ironically many of these people will also call you prejudice. Despite this you will feel they need to love them anyway. I'm sorry for all those that are hurt in the name of religion. But I do believe that it is not the religion that is doing the hurting. I have came to see that these people that are hurting others only try to justify their hatered with religion. Even without their religion the would still spread their pain around only now some man with a tie has told them it is love. It is not the Gospel that I know and love. Never once did we see Jesus tell someone that they would burn in Hell. He gave them what they needed and showed them they were loved and then went on His way. When people start filling in the blanks with what they think should be there it is going to be trouble. I am well aware of your equal symbol. I suggest you try living up to it. Remember it is not equality for me or you but for all.

Answer 5

I'll probably get hit by lightning long before a psychiatrist answers this one. Sounds like you've had similar disappointments with them. Heck, one even told me I would never get better after throwing the whole medicine cabinet at me and turning me into a zombie. I've been doctor, drug, and depression free for over a year and a half now. How'd I do it? Read this: http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/AntidepressantThatWorks.html

Sounds like bumbleleigh's either been brainwashed, is married to a shrink, or went to medical school. Same outcome, regardless.

Answer 6

That is their only ammunition.. take that away and they remain literally helpless. Is one reason for the high incidence of suicide in that profession... they can't face failure. They came out of school with high hopes of saving the world and very soon became deflated with the responses.

I have worked in psyche hospitals and see the meds rolling out but very little discussion one on one. Then it is very limited in time

Answer 7

I totally agree w/ you. I think that most shrinks are only in the profession for the money and are pill pushers, since they don't know what else to do!

Answer 8

you go to a psychiatrist for treatment. it is a professional relationship between a doctor and patient. you are not there to discuss the health of the psychiatrist.

Answer 9

yeah i know what you mean. i have to be honest, you can't really trust them. they give you pills like it's some sort of candy. i don't think they really care..

Answer 10

i think u gave the answer yourself :)