Is any1 else in the same issue with psychiatrists - meds.?

Question

Yes i have seen therapsits - I dnt have a problem with expressing my feelings. My problem is the issue with the supposed 2 b Md + psch. experienced person.
I sware I know more than them. I have 2 do all the research on my own- i could b a major in pysch.? Meaning diagnosis, plus meds, plus increase or decrease. no 1 knows their body better than themself. But... if ur having a med problem the psych says c the Md - the md says go 2 the ER ... Im very religous with taking my meds - which is good b/c im alone in this healing process of being misdiagnosed 4 12 years of not having bipolar disorder...
Any1 else in this situation.
Tnx Much =)

I think we should b able 2 go in an edit our information in the quest. - not just b able 2 add details ...

Answer 1

Bipolarity is not a disease, it is a state of brain function that many people can experience. It is a kind of mental hyperactivity. People who are bipolar have a heightened awareness of both their surroundings and themselves, and hence have a much more extreme variation in emotions compared to a 'normal' person. The thing you have to understand is that there is nothing wrong with you, and that to feel these emotions is totally normal. The question is how you react to them. You are not how you feel. Ultimately you are in control of your emotions. Admittedly you wont feel fully in control until you turn 30 when your prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain that allows you to override your emotional responses) is fully developed. But the drugs are just a band-aid measure. I used to work in the pharmacuetical industry and I can tell you that the price you pay for medication is 8-10 times what it costs to produce. There is a huge industry of psychopharmacology worldwide worth hundreds of billions of dollars, which is fed by convincing people that they cannot function without constant medication (Ever watched the film Equilibrium?). To quote my embryology lecturer (who was a qualified doctor and held a PhD) "In the 30 years since I started medical school we have learned that 60% of the treatments we were using were wrong. I have no doubt that in 30 years time we'll look back and say 60% of the treatments we're using today were wrong".
I have been where you are. The answers are not in pills. Eat well, get some exercise and sunshine on your face. Accept the good and the bad in life. You'll do just fine.

Answer 2

It's a wonderful thing that you expend the effort and take the time to research medications, and your disorder.

I have bipolar disorder, too, and spent quite a lot of time researching medications and self-help sites, myself.

Perhaps you could have your psychiatrist precribe the medications instead of your regular doctor? Of course, you can still let him know how you feel about meds, and discuss what you are taking or might like to try. Seeing two different doctors is more expensive, and a psych doc can prescribe drugs.

I hope things work out. Keep up the good work -- and yes, we are alone in our healing process... take care.

P.S. I didn't quite understand if you meant you are bipolar or not? But whatever the diagnosis, you can find a lot of helpful mental health websites and forums on bipolar (or whatever you need) by doing a Yahoo search.

Answer 3

I not try to demean Psychiatrists/Psychologist. I have studied this stuff in College (Anyone can learn it, they not born knowing). I have lived from the East coast to the West coast and have met many "Interesting" people. As a result I know people pretty well, not from my studies in college, but, my life experiences with people. One thing I noticed in my studies were a lot of norms being taught. "You are this way, because of that way" type mentality. Some hold true, but, some are more of an individual approach and can take a long time to really know why a person behaves as they do. So, if we not careful there are those who may prescribe a medication as a quick fix and not approach the actual cause for a cure. Get on meds and feel OK, we be on them the rest of our life. For many years I have watched and listened. I tell people 80% of Americans are on drugs (I may be very close to correct as the link will show 49% are on prescription drugs and 30% use non-prescription drugs). I call this "The Drugification of America". I not real sure of the date, but, I think somewhere in the 80's Congress passed a law (OR whatever) that Drugs could be advertised directly to the consumer. Today we see a list of things we never heard of before, to sell us these drugs. Now we can go to a Doctor or Psychologist and tell them what wrong with us and they can give us the drug we want! (Viagra can Testify to this better than anyone, and they were around way before people ever heard of this, their sales went through the roof once they were able to advertise). We may know what we need/want, but, still need a licensed professional to prescribe this.
Now, after my "Soapbox Speech" we do know more as an individual what works, how we feel/hurt and etc. That knowledge must be relayed to our Medical Providers so they know!!! Many times we walk into a Doctor's Office and the first thing they ask; "What's Wrong?" Duh!!! (Thought they were supposed to know, not me) LOL!
I not take a lot of meds, but, over the years I have. Once I had Acid-Reflux bad. My Doctor gave me this little pill that worked great! She also explained eating habits and about eating before bed. Over time I took what information she gave me and no longer need the pill. I have not had Acid-Reflux in 5 years or more, and very seldom need a "Tums/Rolaids". So, as the consumer, it is my responsibility to know what work and how. Then to decide and discuss with my Doctor the options. I can stay on a medication the rest of my life, or, choose to find other options to eliminate the medication. IF!!!!! Your Doctor not want to work this way then I would find a real Doctor that will.

Answer 4

I know more about Asperger's than any of the 5 doctors I've met up with about it (I had to explain what it was to 3 of them, and one "explained" to ME that it was preferring to stay inside the house, not liking to talk to people, and having obsessions like trains, etc). Most people I've talked to with AS say their doctors don't know anything about it either, especially since it's a relatively "new" diagnosis (only 14 years, I think).

I can't speak for your case, but psychologists/psychiatrists don't know everything. Even searching for the best, the ones I got stuck with either didn't have a clue, weren't interested in the patient, had their own agenda, or were so old and out of practice that they were effective only as med dispensers (the latter actually asking ME what meds I "wanted" to be on, instead of making the decision himself).

Make sure you find someone who specializes (exclusively, if possible) in your "issue" to get the best results.

Answer 5

Brooklyn! Oh yes, that was me 6-7 yrs ago.First and foremost, find a regular MD that has compassion for what your dealing with. You need one specialist you can trust! Trust was a big issue for me after dealing with tons of meds and different psychs dishing out meds like they were candy. How confusing. Having someone to confide in made a WORLD of difference. I learned so much about psychiatric meds that I knew them better than psychs did, at least with my body. Its true that no one knows your body better than you. Next you should find a therapist, i found a Trauma counselor. I had dealt with my father passing, alcohol,drugs moving to another state, re-marrying and then the husband abandoned me in every way. The sad thing was I had my life together more than ever and I became depressed and he emotionally, psysically, mentally left me and my kids. I still have resentments along with the pain. That all was very traumatic for me. Has there been trauma in your life? Has your illness been a trauma to you? I was alone in a new state,mentally sick, taking care of 3 children and no help.
Find you a superior counselor, and one dr. Ask your doc who he recommends.Ask ask ask. Dont give up! God does not want you to be suffering. Is your spirituality intact?
There are so many flake psychs in the world and they make buku bucks to take care of us. The big thing is you cannot rely on meds,counseling alone. You NEED support. Realize if you have to take meds this is something you have to do to help you through the tough time.... even if it is for life. If your life is better on meds, take them. If its not, dont. As you said you know your body better than anyone. I agree. Make a log of what meds youve taken,dates, side effects, dosages. Keep this always. This helps you in the long run if you happen to forget. My secret was God. Let go and let God. He will lead you where you need to be. Mental problems are very difficult....... even if it is our own body and mind. Exercise,get a new pet, journal, help someone else....anything to keep your mind off yourself. It does take baby steps.
Dont give up hope ....keep your faith and let God help you fight your battles. He will help you find what you need.
God Bless you!!!! Hope I helped.

Answer 6

Doctors don't know ****. They've never been through it themselves. Just because they read a damn textbbok doesn't mean they know mentally ill people. My mother is bipolar and the shrink gave her meds. When she went to the pharmacy the person behind the desk wouldn't prescribe them because she was taking thyroid meds. If she'd have taken both it would have killed her. The shrink knew she was on the thyroid meds.

I have a mental illness too and when I told the doc I was suicidal he said take iron pills!!!

You're better off dealing with it on your own.

Answer 7

I take into account myself fortunate as I have a sort and thoughtful associate (we met in a Psychiatric Ward 6 a million/two years in the past) who's my carer. He additionally suffers from despair and anxiousness so he knows. But I nonetheless do get lonely now and then, while I do, I come on right here and consider higher for it.

Answer 8

I had to shop around for my doc. I told the hospital when I was in what age range i wanted and that I wanted a female. When I first met her I knew that I could work with her because she asked me questions no one else was and she picked up on a lot of things as well. You are the "consumer" get out there and shop. There is a doc out there that will work for you, you just need to know what you are looking for.

Answer 9

You are right, of course. Today's psch. and Drs. have far too many patients to know each as well as they need to in order to treat them. Many are shuffled thru and misdiagnosed. A person almost requires a degree in medical practices and procedures to ascertain their own best defense aginst improper treatments. I don't have one so I can't properly advise you except to warn you that you need to be vigilant and insist that your treatment is suited to YOUR specific requirements. If you feel that yours is not, do Not allow it to go on without proper adjustment even if you need other opinions from more sympathetic experts. Until YOU feel that its working, insist that your information is re examined and adjusted until it works for you.

Answer 10

I work at a drug rehab center and some of the girls are on meds . It is my opinion that the girls who don't take meds do better now if the relay need the meds I think they should take them but I think some doctors over medicate.