How long has your mental illness lasted?

[MD2b20004]

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I been consistantly on meds for 5 months now for panic attacks and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I am pretty much on the max for Xanax, Lexapro, and a third drug forgot its name. These drugs side effect suck and i cant even have to carry a job after taking leave of absence from my school, and i am scared that its not going to go away any time soon, it doesnt seem like the meds are doing much yet except make me sleep way more. Anyone with similar symptoms experience going to school while heavily dosed on the meds, anyone with similar symtoms can tell me how long it took to rid themselves of the GAD and panic attacks and what treatment they used?

Thanks.

 

[gary5]

I do know that it is extremely common that people take psychoactive medications, feel better, then stop taking them, and the problems start again.

 

[Kazema]

If your meds aren't working, talk to your psychiatrist about trying different ones.

You should only go off your medications if you and your psychiatrist agree that it would be a good idea to try going off them. Don't make that decision by yourself.

 

[drmanyee999]

I don't know about mixing meds, but I was told by a psychologist that it takes an average of three different drugs (not all at once) before a person finds one that's right for them. But, definitely, talk to your therapist/psychiatrist asap.

 

[BrieTC]

Your phraseology made me laugh.

In terms of actual mental illness, with endogenous roots, "cure" is a word not allowed in your vocabulary. Seriously, I know it sounds like nitpicking, but reprogram yourself to think "managing" or "controlling" - it helps.

For the meds - Lexapro is one of the purest form SSRIs out there, and as such has vastly fewer side effects than pretty much all the rest of them. That's not to say it's inconceivable that it's wearing you out, but I'd place even bets that you're having Xanax hangovers. It'd help to know your other med...but it's essential that you speak to your psychiatrist before stopping, changing, or adding new medications. Xanax is a pretty heavy duty "stop everything!" drug and can leave you feeling pretty wasted. Maybe it'd be good for you to try a continuous anxiety controller like Klonopin instead of the panic buttons like xanax and ativan.

However, the point of all this is that I assure you that it is possible to be taking a huge array of psychopharmacopeia and succeeding in school. Certain adjustments need to be made, of course, but it's really not the end of the world. I have a lot of information I've gathered over the years about side effects and crap like that, so if you want to take a look at any of it, you can feel free to PM me.

TC

 

[beanbean]

Sorry to hear you are still having trouble. Definetly talk to your doctor about the side effects and lack of effectiveness of the meds you are taking.

Are you in therapy of any kind? Meds are most effective for panic/GAD when used in combination with cognitive behavioral or other types of psychotherapy.

Best of luck.

 

[MD2b20004]

Thanks for the responses, any more info...by anyone else.

 

[NMH2001]

have you tried CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)? It basically "retrains" your brain so that whatever stimulus provokes the anxiety attack no longer will. It takes a few sessions, and committment on your part but trust me (I've been in your shoes), it will work.

I highly recommend staying on the SSRI through therapy. If the drug you are on is not working, switch to something else. Just remember different SSRI's work differently for everyone. It's like you have to try on a few pair of sneakers until you find the "right fit".

At 28 years old, for the first time last summer started getting full blown panic attacks-I'm talkin the ones that wake you out of a dead sleep. Started on Zoloft (made me sleepy and a bit hostile), switched to Effexor, and combined w/CBT haven't had a panic attack in almost a year. SSRI's in the setting of GAD and anxiety disorder should be viewed as a "crutch" and not a cure. Been totally off all meds since March and am still doing fine. To this day I still have no clue as to what provoked them in the first place. Will I have one again someday? Maybe yes, maybe no. But I have confidence that I can deal with them now.

I felt compelled to post a lengthy reply b/c I know how horrible GAD can be, and how at times there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Give the CBT a try...Don't give up hope and know that you WILL beat it. 😉

 

[typeB-md]

another shining star that was admitted to medical school. fantastic job on the part of the ADCOM!!!

what a bunch of weak individuals. how did such a bunch of whackos get put in places of such great responsibility? drugs, drugs, drugs... it's a wonderful life!! Pfizer appreciates your support.

maybe i'll move to hawaii and just live on my own island. then i won't have to be surrounded by a bunch of mentally ill pill poppers. medical students are so disturbed when it comes to social behaviors.

 

[sweetpeamd09]

I will flagrantly respond to your contemptible and uncouth comment by saying you will make a fantanstic physician, get out of this forum...bye bye.

another shining star that was admitted to medical school. fantastic job on the part of the ADCOM!!!

what a bunch of weak individuals. how did such a bunch of whackos get put in places of such great responsibility? drugs, drugs, drugs... it's a wonderful life!! Pfizer appreciates your support.

maybe i'll move to hawaii and just live on my own island. then i won't have to be surrounded by a bunch of mentally ill pill poppers. medical students are so disturbed when it comes to social behaviors.

 

[JamesNunez]

another shining star that was admitted to medical school. fantastic job on the part of the ADCOM!!!

what a bunch of weak individuals. how did such a bunch of whackos get put in places of such great responsibility? drugs, drugs, drugs... it's a wonderful life!! Pfizer appreciates your support.

maybe i'll move to hawaii and just live on my own island. then i won't have to be surrounded by a bunch of mentally ill pill poppers. medical students are so disturbed when it comes to social behaviors.

You need to be manually disimpacted!

 

[NMH2001]

type-b-md:

It is the blatant ignorance of people like yourself that make me shudder when I think about the future of medicine. My post was not to promote the drug industry, but rather give a little encouragement and support to a fellow student. Maybe you should try it some time.

You are pathetic. Please rethink your decision about going into medicine and give your seat in class to someone else who deserves it.

 

[coxzilla97]

another shining star that was admitted to medical school. fantastic job on the part of the ADCOM!!!

what a bunch of weak individuals. how did such a bunch of whackos get put in places of such great responsibility? drugs, drugs, drugs... it's a wonderful life!! Pfizer appreciates your support.

maybe i'll move to hawaii and just live on my own island. then i won't have to be surrounded by a bunch of mentally ill pill poppers. medical students are so disturbed when it comes to social behaviors.

Hey type B, I'm a type A (personality) and I'm willing to bet so are most of the people who get into med school or are doctors. Not only that, but most people that get into medical school have an IQ and intellectual ability well above average and possibly genius level. When you are that smart, you have a lot more to worry about than most other people, perhaps you too, and that can wear you down. Perhaps they just care about things too. By the way, who let you into med school? I would not enjoy being one of your patients. For you I would prescribe an Abnormal Pscyh review and some sensitivity to go along with your macho gusto.

 

[Paws]

another shining star that was admitted to medical school. fantastic job on the part of the ADCOM!!!

what a bunch of weak individuals. how did such a bunch of whackos get put in places of such great responsibility? drugs, drugs, drugs... it's a wonderful life!! Pfizer appreciates your support.

maybe i'll move to hawaii and just live on my own island. then i won't have to be surrounded by a bunch of mentally ill pill poppers. medical students are so disturbed when it comes to social behaviors.

Good one type-B!

Anywhoo, I support the original poster and feel that this mental illness thing has got to come out from behind the door. Heck, even then most 'sane' person would go nuts in medical school. Just my humble opinion, but really ... everything gets way out of whack here and the stress. Don't get me started.

How long has mental illness lasted? I think we all have shades of mental illness depending on what is going on in our lives. A little depression, some anxiety. Displaced anger. No one of us is purfect. That said, I am not a fan of medication and believe that the good old fashioned 'talking cure' of weekly psychotherapy is awesome! My feeling - and this is just my opinion - is that when our feelings are freaking us out, we need to stop and figure out why. Nothing is so bad as just looking at our feelings, and it can be like the lump under the rug. If we don't go and investigate, we will just keep tripping over it and it can mess up our lives. You have choices and options - and you are in charge of your own life. What do you want to do with this situation -

 

[sweetpeamd09]

I am not yet in medical school (but will be in August! 😛 )...but... I have had issues with depression and anxiety for a LONG time. So I hope what I share with you helps you as much as it has helped me. I am no longer on medication, however, I am doing REALLY, really well. 🙂 My panic attacks and general anxiety have all but disappeared as a result of some changes I've made in my life recently. First, I was in a very destructive relationship with a woman I loved dearly...but who was not willing to proactively deal with her issues. She was depressed and anxious, as a result of being borderline. This was not a problem for a bit...but then she became non-med. compliant (which she does in fact need)...and then everything became really ugly to say the least. She and I have been apart for a little over a month. I never expected the drastic difference I have seen in my life (the amt. of stressors) and my behaviors following her exit from my life. My pt. is that you may need to re-evaluate who you spend your time with, and also it can be really helpful to find a strong support network for yourself. That can be family, friends, co-workers, or maybe people from group therapy. Either way...having really positive people, or at least people who do not drag you down can be an incredibly positive marker for change.

Also, I have been working on "self-soothing". When I used to panic I felt as if I were going to die as a result of what was happening (or what was not 😉 ). I consciously try to control those experiences when they happen now. I envision what I'm most afraid of happening in the situation that is making me feel SO awful. Then I consider that what I am most fearful of is probably not going to happen. I am not going to die as a result of an initial feeling of abandonment, for example. Identifying what is making me feel so panicked has also been really helpful. Confronting those issues has made my life a much better place to be. I came to the conclusion that I needed to incorporate self-soothing into my life when I went to one couple's therapy session w/ my ex (with my therapist...we had also tried hers) and he asked me what I felt like when she would do the many hurtful things that she was adept at doing to me (she was a trigger for a lot of my panicking--not to blame for them, but a trigger)...to pinpoint exactly what I felt. I told him I felt as if I were going to die or whatever twisted feeling I was experiencing. Verbalizing how I felt was very helpful in quelling those feelings. This change in my thought pattern has been an enormous help to me in a multitude of scenarios. I hope what I said helps you!

I don't want you to think I've become some sort of self-righteous, self-help text book. I have a lot of crappy days to deal with...just like everyone else.

Oh! You might want to check out a thread I started about med. school and mental disorders...lots of people have said incredible things in there. Maybe what they shared will help you. Take care of yourself! Good luck.

I been consistantly on meds for 5 months now for panic attacks and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I am pretty much on the max for Xanax, Lexapro, and a third drug forgot its name. These drugs side effect suck and i cant even have to carry a job after taking leave of absence from my school, and i am scared that its not going to go away any time soon, it doesnt seem like the meds are doing much yet except make me sleep way more. Anyone with similar symptoms experience going to school while heavily dosed on the meds, anyone with similar symtoms can tell me how long it took to rid themselves of the GAD and panic attacks and what treatment they used?

Thanks.

 

[ajf211]

Klonopin, at very low doses, may possibly help, but be very wary of it becuase it can be addicting. If your meds are not working, then you really need to try something new. I wish you only the best of luck. Take care.

AJ

 

[typeB-md]

I will flagrantly respond to your contemptible and uncouth comment by saying you will make a fantanstic physician, get out of this forum...bye bye.

username sweetpea... how cute. does your pet teddy bear go shopping with you?

i am only speaking the truth. how can you heal others when you, the physician, are not stable?

 

[typeB-md]

type-b-md:

It is the blatant ignorance of people like yourself that make me shudder when I think about the future of medicine. My post was not to promote the drug industry, but rather give a little encouragement and support to a fellow student. Maybe you should try it some time.

You are pathetic. Please rethink your decision about going into medicine and give your seat in class to someone else who deserves it.

what are you talking about?

i am on not a single drug. i far exceed class averages. i study half as much as most students. i was voted by my class as "person they think would make the best doctor."

i have no encouragement for pill-poppers. this is why i hate my peers. you guys have lost all touch of reality. you no longer try and work through your problems. perhaps it is easier to blame your failure on some mental disorder rather than tell mommy that you can't hack a real education.

 

[typeB-md]

Hey type B, I'm a type A (personality) and I'm willing to bet so are most of the people who get into med school or are doctors. Not only that, but most people that get into medical school have an IQ and intellectual ability well above average and possibly genius level. When you are that smart, you have a lot more to worry about than most other people, perhaps you too, and that can wear you down. Perhaps they just care about things too. By the way, who let you into med school? I would not enjoy being one of your patients. For you I would prescribe an Abnormal Pscyh review and some sensitivity to go along with your macho gusto.

i hope you're joking about the IQ comment. i would put most of my class as "above average" but maybe only 2 or 3 at genius level. you are pretty funny to think so highly of a medical student's intellectual capabilities. the really smart people aren't wasting 5 hours a day memorizing which types of viruses cause diarrhea.

it's funny that you should prescribe me anything. you're the one who's siding with the lunatics.

 

[typeB-md]

Good one type-B!

Anywhoo, I support the original poster and feel that this mental illness thing has got to come out from behind the door. Heck, even then most 'sane' person would go nuts in medical school. Just my humble opinion, but really ... everything gets way out of whack here and the stress. Don't get me started.

How long has mental illness lasted? I think we all have shades of mental illness depending on what is going on in our lives. A little depression, some anxiety. Displaced anger. No one of us is purfect. That said, I am not a fan of medication and believe that the good old fashioned 'talking cure' of weekly psychotherapy is awesome! My feeling - and this is just my opinion - is that when our feelings are freaking us out, we need to stop and figure out why. Nothing is so bad as just looking at our feelings, and it can be like the lump under the rug. If we don't go and investigate, we will just keep tripping over it and it can mess up our lives. You have choices and options - and you are in charge of your own life. What do you want to do with this situation -

👍

most intelligent post from someone other than yours truly.

 

[BrieTC]

what are you talking about?

i am on not a single drug. i far exceed class averages. i study half as much as most students. i was voted by my class as "person they think would make the best doctor."

i have no encouragement for pill-poppers. this is why i hate my peers. you guys have lost all touch of reality. you no longer try and work through your problems. perhaps it is easier to blame your failure on some mental disorder rather than tell mommy that you can't hack a real education.

I find it really ironic (funny/hilarious/disgusting) that someone in school to spend their life caring for people (and writing prescriptions) would make such a comment. Crack your books once in a while, dude...spend some time on neuropsych. Just because psychiatrists have recently taken to diagnosing everything that breathes with some kind of mental illness, doesn't mean mental illness has ceased to exist.

 

[NMH2001]

what are you talking about?

i am on not a single drug. i far exceed class averages. i study half as much as most students. i was voted by my class as "person they think would make the best doctor."

i have no encouragement for pill-poppers. this is why i hate my peers. you guys have lost all touch of reality. you no longer try and work through your problems. perhaps it is easier to blame your failure on some mental disorder rather than tell mommy that you can't hack a real education.

Hmmmm..... Gotta love sweet ingnorance, or is it blatant stupidity? It's hard to tell in this case b/c this individual is really blurring the line between the two. 🙄

To the original poster of this thread who was looking for advice-here's some more... Sadly, sometimes you have to "shop around" for a "real doctor". You see-sometimes clowns like this pull the wool over the adcoms eyes and get admitted to med school. They may do very well in class, get high grades, etc, but don't let that fool you--Just remember that the scum floats to the top. I think this has been a learning experience for us all!

This is all I will comment on this thread-I believe we may be feeding the appetite of a troll.

 

[typeB-md]

I find it really ironic (funny/hilarious/disgusting) that someone in school to spend their life caring for people (and writing prescriptions) would make such a comment. Crack your books once in a while, dude...spend some time on neuropsych. Just because psychiatrists have recently taken to diagnosing everything that breathes with some kind of mental illness, doesn't mean mental illness has ceased to exist.

what do you want, the stepford wives?

we act like everyone is destined to be a top scholar. if they can't sit and read a book, they must have a ADHD... medicate!!! we've become a cookie-cutter society. "if you don't fit the mold, then something MUST be wrong... FIX them doctor!!"

should we have medicated michaelangelo, beethoven, newton, keats, and other genuises with known mental conditions? here's a list of "ill" individuals that you might want to take a look at. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se...tManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4858

there are plenty of different ways to make a living. just because your mommies and daddies forced you into medicine doesn't excuse your abuse of medications. you shouldn't have to pop a pill to do your job. that's just my $.02... but what do i know??? i'm just a nobody who's top 10% in his class and can run a sub 5-minute mile. maybe i should start taking some drugs so that i can participate in these discussions.

 

[typeB-md]

Hmmmm..... Gotta love sweet ingnorance, or is it blatant stupidity? It's hard to tell in this case b/c this individual is really blurring the line between the two. 🙄

To the original poster of this thread who was looking for advice-here's some more... Sadly, sometimes you have to "shop around" for a "real doctor". You see-sometimes clowns like this pull the wool over the adcoms eyes and get admitted to med school. They may do very well in class, get high grades, etc, but don't let that fool you--Just remember that the scum floats to the top. I think this has been a learning experience for us all!

This is all I will comment on this thread-I believe we may be feeding the appetite of a troll.

haha... the "scum floats to the top."

is this some sort of rationalization by the have-nots for complacency with mediocrity? yes, you are so much better of a doctor because you get Cs... you are such a caring person!! and when someone codes and you're standing there crying in the corner because you have no idea to put your skills to work, just remember that it's ok... because YOU have more empathy than the entire bay area.


and you are correct. i concede that sometimes clowns pull the wool over the adcoms eyes. but you are mistaken in your accusations of which group is responspible for the so-called clowning. the ones i would be concerned about are those students who feel the need to 'supplement' their education with a little bit of chemical intellect. but again, i know, it's okay... you can hug your way through medical school, residency, and practice.

 

[MD2b20004]

I used to think the same before i experienced anxiety GAD and panic attacks first hand. Trust me i am the last person to go on a pill to solve my problems, but i went thru years of GAD and it came to the point where it was controlling me, GAD and panic attacks are hard to explain unless you go thru them, i rather have any other serious curable disease than GAD and panic attacks, because these diseases don't only mess you up mentally, but has very uncomfortable to say the least phsyical symptoms that interfere greatly in your everyday life if not handicap it all together like it did to me since i ignored it for so long.

haha... the "scum floats to the top."

is this some sort of rationalization by the have-nots for complacency with mediocrity? yes, you are so much better of a doctor because you get Cs... you are such a caring person!! and when someone codes and you're standing there crying in the corner because you have no idea to put your skills to work, just remember that it's ok... because YOU have more empathy than the entire bay area.


and you are correct. i concede that sometimes clowns pull the wool over the adcoms eyes. but you are mistaken in your accusations of which group is responspible for the so-called clowning. the ones i would be concerned about are those students who feel the need to 'supplement' their education with a little bit of chemical intellect. but again, i know, it's okay... you can hug your way through medical school, residency, and practice.

 

[NSight8]

typeB ... you have really got to be kidding me...
you do speak as if you are really immature...

do you really believe in what you are saying or are you trying to stir up ****?

if you really do believe in what you're saying, you shouldn't really be even thinking of becoming a doctor.

and all your macho bullsh*t? you are probably a skinny piece of **** that never gets laid and takes his anger out by posting stupid comments like you do... well kudos to you my friend ... u sound like a well adjusted human being

 

[BrieTC]

what do you want, the stepford wives?

we act like everyone is destined to be a top scholar. if they can't sit and read a book, they must have a ADHD... medicate!!! we've become a cookie-cutter society. "if you don't fit the mold, then something MUST be wrong... FIX them doctor!!"

should we have medicated michaelangelo, beethoven, newton, keats, and other genuises with known mental conditions? here's a list of "ill" individuals that you might want to take a look at. http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Se...tManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=4858

there are plenty of different ways to make a living. just because your mommies and daddies forced you into medicine doesn't excuse your abuse of medications. you shouldn't have to pop a pill to do your job. that's just my $.02... but what do i know??? i'm just a nobody who's top 10% in his class and can run a sub 5-minute mile. maybe i should start taking some drugs so that i can participate in these discussions.

I hope hope hope you have to do a psych rotation and meet someone with paranoid schizophrenia before they're introduced to haloperidol. Jeez, you're waffling on your position worse than Kerry! (...I actually voted for Kerry, so maybe not the best point to make...) As it's obvious that you're either unable or unwilling to READ what is written to you, let me reiterate: Just because psychiatrists are overdiagnosing the planet, does NOT mean that there aren't people with genuine problems. If taking a crapload of medications, freaking out and losing 2 years of your life, then pulling yourself together and becoming a damn good doctor = not hacking it, I'm not sure I want to. I'd rather be treated by a doctor who faced some serious hardships and overcame than one whose strongest suits are running a sub-5-minute mile and the ability to be arrogant and rude to everyone.

ED: sorry, I forgot one thing.

That list of "ill" individuals made fantastic and outstanding contributions to the world. Too bad they were miserable most (if not all) of their lives, isn't it? But then, you seem to be the kind of person who measures a person's worth by their product, not their quality of life, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

...two things, I forgot.

Someone with ADD doesn't pop a ritalin so they can gain 5% on an orgo exam. They take it, despite resenting it (most of the time) so they can get up, care for their children, find their car keys, retain what they learn, put it to use, etc, etc. I find it ludicrous to imagine someone walking into their doctor's office and requestion a drug with a side-effect list longer than their leg so they can move up their class rank a bit. Get real.

 

[Kazema]

Actually ritalin/adderall abuse in college isn't that uncommon. That whole academic steroids issue.

I got the sense that Type-B mostly has a problem with that aspect of medication. Or at least I hope so. Otherwise it's rather narrow-minded and ego-centric to think that just because he doesn't need any medication that nobody else in the world does either and that everyone who takes medication is using it to gain some kind hidden advantage. All those bipolar kids taking lithium and Abilify are clearly doing it just so they can be top 10% in their class and run a 5-minute mile 🙄.

 

[BrieTC]

All those bipolar kids taking lithium and Abilify are clearly doing it just so they can be top 10% in their class and run a 5-minute mile 🙄.

Damn...is it really that obvious? 😀

 

[sweetpeamd09]

You figured me out!!! How did you know?!?!

I will not waste my time and respond to the second part. At least not right now... have a lovely evening 😛

username sweetpea... how cute. does your pet teddy bear go shopping with you?

i am only speaking the truth. how can you heal others when you, the physician, are not stable?

 

[JamesNunez]

haha... the "scum floats to the top."

and you are correct. i concede that sometimes clowns pull the wool over the adcoms eyes. but you are mistaken in your accusations of which group is responspible for the so-called clowning. the ones i would be concerned about are those students who feel the need to 'supplement' their education with a little bit of chemical intellect. but again, i know, it's okay... you can hug your way through medical school, residency, and practice.

This is such unqualified BS! What "greater than the rest" effects do mood stablizers, anti-psychotics, and anti-depressants have on supplementing ones education? The unwanted side effects produced by these types of medication, especially when used in combination with each other, are horrendous.

How is someone with a mood disorder, thought disorder, psychotic disorder, etc. supposed to accomplish their goals in life without proper psychotherapy and psychopharmcological treatment?

Now, for individuals whose problems are psychological and not biological I agree that they do not need to be placed on any type of medication. These types of problems can be worked out with a therapist. Examples would be someone who is experiencing depression, or anxiety, or psychotic symptoms related to childhood trauma or disturbed family relationships, etc.

Everyone will or has experienced depression, mania, or even hallucinate or become delusional. Becoming depressed after the loss of a loved one is normal. Becoming depressed because you broke a nail, or spilt your drink is not normal. Backing up into a corner because you are positive that there is someone in your house is not normal. Going outside at night and thinking that you are going to be abducted by aliens is not normal. When these problems become too sever to function and lead a productive normal life then medication along with therapy is the answer.

 

[typeB-md]

I used to think the same before i experienced anxiety GAD and panic attacks first hand. Trust me i am the last person to go on a pill to solve my problems, but i went thru years of GAD and it came to the point where it was controlling me, GAD and panic attacks are hard to explain unless you go thru them, i rather have any other serious curable disease than GAD and panic attacks, because these diseases don't only mess you up mentally, but has very uncomfortable to say the least phsyical symptoms that interfere greatly in your everyday life if not handicap it all together like it did to me since i ignored it for so long.

GAD and panic attacks happen because you're a spaz. It only serves to reiterate what i've always felt -- medical students are very much out of touch with their own bodies and mental health. maybe if you took a break from the books ever once-in-a-while, your brain could take a rest.

and before you react with a torret of physiological etiologies regarding GAD and panic attacks, just realize that it's mostly likely your own, neurotic, typeA personality that is to blame and nothing else. You are your own imbalance.

 

[typeB-md]

typeB ... you have really got to be kidding me...
you do speak as if you are really immature...

do you really believe in what you are saying or are you trying to stir up ****?

if you really do believe in what you're saying, you shouldn't really be even thinking of becoming a doctor.

and all your macho bullsh*t? you are probably a skinny piece of **** that never gets laid and takes his anger out by posting stupid comments like you do... well kudos to you my friend ... u sound like a well adjusted human being

i believe that medical students are a very unstable group of individuals when taken on the whole. i am not bashing mental illness. i am bashing the fact that so-called "health care providers" are in no position to deliver advice if they, themselves aren't of sound mind.

you gotta practice what you preach. but i guess if you take this verbatim, you are just making sure the drugs work before you prescribe them to the whackies.

 

[typeB-md]

I hope hope hope you have to do a psych rotation and meet someone with paranoid schizophrenia before they're introduced to haloperidol. Jeez, you're waffling on your position worse than Kerry! (...I actually voted for Kerry, so maybe not the best point to make...) As it's obvious that you're either unable or unwilling to READ what is written to you, let me reiterate: Just because psychiatrists are overdiagnosing the planet, does NOT mean that there aren't people with genuine problems. If taking a crapload of medications, freaking out and losing 2 years of your life, then pulling yourself together and becoming a damn good doctor = not hacking it, I'm not sure I want to. I'd rather be treated by a doctor who faced some serious hardships and overcame than one whose strongest suits are running a sub-5-minute mile and the ability to be arrogant and rude to everyone.

ED: sorry, I forgot one thing.

That list of "ill" individuals made fantastic and outstanding contributions to the world. Too bad they were miserable most (if not all) of their lives, isn't it? But then, you seem to be the kind of person who measures a person's worth by their product, not their quality of life, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

...two things, I forgot.

Someone with ADD doesn't pop a ritalin so they can gain 5% on an orgo exam. They take it, despite resenting it (most of the time) so they can get up, care for their children, find their car keys, retain what they learn, put it to use, etc, etc. I find it ludicrous to imagine someone walking into their doctor's office and requestion a drug with a side-effect list longer than their leg so they can move up their class rank a bit. Get real.

first, this has much less to do with the existence of mental health and the efficacy of current treatments. my stance is that healthcare providers should be of sound mind. if you are a spaz, i don't want you taking care of me. if you are a patient, things are different.

and please spare the me nancy-and-jane type rhetoric. you'd rather have a doctor who's on drugs and experienced hardship over someone who knows all their material and aces their clerkships? you are probably even more ignorant than your silly words let on.

and those ill individuals may have been plagued by their own mental illnesses. but these few throughout history have made far greater contributions and you and i can ever hope to. it is A RESULT of their illness that they were driven to achieve these ideological monuments. true genius is a form of mental disorder and a hyper-driven state of intellect. are we better off for these contributions... i think so. but if we had it your way, we wouldn't have to progress at all because we could just be content to be happy and live our lives out.

somepeople don't want to sit and be happy. there is such a thing as perseveration... but who wants to achieve anything worthwhile anymore?

 

[typeB-md]

You figured me out!!! How did you know?!?!

I will not waste my time constructing a decent counterpoint to your seemingly demonstrable claims. At least not right now... i have to go take my meds so that i can relax

i fixed your quote for you.

and you do make a good point. physicians can't really TEACH health and well-being if they aren't mentally well, themselves. i do agree.

 

[lilpixie]

"and please spare the me nancy-and-jane type rhetoric. you'd rather have a doctor who's on drugs and experienced hardship over someone who knows all their material and aces their clerkships?"

i am just curious why you assume the two are mutually exclusive? i find it completely plausible that someone who has experienced hardship and is taking medication can still know their material cold and ace their clerkships. you are right, i wouldn't want to go to a doctor who wasn't competent. without a doubt. but i also wouldn't want to go to a doctor who wasn't compassionate and I see no reason why I would have to choose between compassion and competence. There are plenty of doctors who are both and I think thats what makes a doctor not just good but great.


"I am not bashing mental illness. i am bashing the fact that so-called "health care providers" are in no position to deliver advice if they, themselves aren't of sound mind. you gotta practice what you preach. "

what if they aren't of sound health. would you also not want to be treated by a doctor who is taking medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol? would they also not be in a position to deliver health related advice? you argue that you have to practice what you preach, so does that make any doctor who makes unhealthy life style choices in terms of eating, exercise, stress etc unfit to tell others how to best take care of themselves...because it would seem that would rule out most of the medical profession. anxiety and depression treatment doesn't make someone stupid or inept. i would argue that a person being successfully medicated for anxiety or depression is not all that different in terms of capabilities, intelligence and aptness for delivering health care than someone being medicated for high cholesterol.

 

[KatieJune]

I been consistantly on meds for 5 months now for panic attacks and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I am pretty much on the max for Xanax, Lexapro, and a third drug forgot its name. These drugs side effect suck and i cant even have to carry a job after taking leave of absence from my school, and i am scared that its not going to go away any time soon, it doesnt seem like the meds are doing much yet except make me sleep way more. Anyone with similar symptoms experience going to school while heavily dosed on the meds, anyone with similar symtoms can tell me how long it took to rid themselves of the GAD and panic attacks and what treatment they used?

Thanks.

Hey, you didn't mention if you go to therapy or not. I'm no expert, but it doesn't seem that meds without therapy are a good long term solution. Counseling (with someone with a Master's) can help work through tough issues that may be underlying the symptoms. I think there is a great amount of personal responsibility and tenacity that goes along with getting better - it takes hard work!

As for the general discussion on the thread, regardless of one's opinion, its important to be respectful and compassionate. I do think that meds are overprescribed (and not only for mental illness), BUT sometimes meds are necessary to allow someone to do the personal work they need to do to get better....

we may not know WHY someone is suffering, what they have been through, what trauma they have experienced....so maybe we shouldn't be so judgemental. Once I met a man with extreme anxiety (not being treated)....and after listening to story about watching his mom hire someone to kill his dad in front of him... I understood why...who wouldn't be anxious Let's be compassionate!

 

[BrieTC]

*chuckles* Ah...I love arguing with people who only hear what they want to hear. Don't you guys? And to the poster above me...Yup. Right on.

 

[JamesNunez]

Hey, you didn't mention if you go to therapy or not. I'm no expert, but it doesn't seem that meds without therapy are a good long term solution. Counseling (with someone with a Master's) can help work through tough issues that may be underlying the symptoms. I think there is a great amount of personal responsibility and tenacity that goes along with getting better - it takes hard work!

As for the general discussion on the thread, regardless of one's opinion, its important to be respectful and compassionate. I do think that meds are overprescribed (and not only for mental illness), BUT sometimes meds are necessary to allow someone to do the personal work they need to do to get better....

we may not know WHY someone is suffering, what they have been through, what trauma they have experienced....so maybe we shouldn't be so judgemental. Once I met a man with extreme anxiety (not being treated)....and after listening to story about watching his mom hire someone to kill his dad in front of him... I understood why...who wouldn't be anxious Let's be compassionate!

👍

 

[Paws]

Well, I actually agree with both sides of this debate. I know I might regret trying to explain this, but let's see if I can do it.

I think of course we need to help people who are freaking out about emotional things they either know about, or haven't yet figured out. I mean, sometimes we have overwhelming anxiety but haven't yet pieced it back to the fact that something really traumatic may have happened when we were two, or whatever. That's why I think therapy is the best! we would all be lost without it, as a society.

But on the other hand, I don't think we should just medicate and use that as a way to blanket the problem. That makes me upset, and I have a friend who is doing that now. I wish she would just wake up one day and get angry and say: I am in a crummy marriage and my life is going to h^ll. I think our feelings are there as a guide and a help. I am a fan of trying to listen to them, and not just cover them over.

Just my $0.02. But it is good to see the topic debated, whatever side we're on -

 

[typeB-md]

"and please spare the me nancy-and-jane type rhetoric. you'd rather have a doctor who's on drugs and experienced hardship over someone who knows all their material and aces their clerkships?"

i am just curious why you assume the two are mutually exclusive? i find it completely plausible that someone who has experienced hardship and is taking medication can still know their material cold and ace their clerkships. you are right, i wouldn't want to go to a doctor who wasn't competent. without a doubt. but i also wouldn't want to go to a doctor who wasn't compassionate and I see no reason why I would have to choose between compassion and competence. There are plenty of doctors who are both and I think thats what makes a doctor not just good but great.


"I am not bashing mental illness. i am bashing the fact that so-called "health care providers" are in no position to deliver advice if they, themselves aren't of sound mind. you gotta practice what you preach. "

what if they aren't of sound health. would you also not want to be treated by a doctor who is taking medication for high blood pressure or cholesterol? would they also not be in a position to deliver health related advice? you argue that you have to practice what you preach, so does that make any doctor who makes unhealthy life style choices in terms of eating, exercise, stress etc unfit to tell others how to best take care of themselves...because it would seem that would rule out most of the medical profession. anxiety and depression treatment doesn't make someone stupid or inept. i would argue that a person being successfully medicated for anxiety or depression is not all that different in terms of capabilities, intelligence and aptness for delivering health care than someone being medicated for high cholesterol.

you are confusing a doctor who is being proactive about maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a doctor who is mentally unstable due to an anal, self-destructive personality. it can be argued that both have underlying genetic risks... but the difference is that hypertension doesn't make you act like a nutjob.

would you also accept nutritional advice from a fat dietician? you ignorant students always amaze me with how obnoxious and wrong your ideologies are. to answer your question about physicians leading unhealthy lives, yes. i would never go to an out of shape physician. if a person is overweight, they are telling me "hey, i don't care enough about myself, so i probably don't really care about you either." i can only bless the gods that orthopods and sports medicine docs exist.

and i know your simple mind can't believe that anxiety/depression manifests differently than hyperlipidemia. even when doping the drugs, people suffering from anxiety/depression are not completely right of mind. in fact, this is such an openly stupid argument of yours that i refuse to explain it anymore; anyone with half a brain can see how ******ed you are acting.

 

[KatieJune]

Unfortunately when the commonly held view is that doctors should be pilars of mental stability, when events do happen (as they often do) that may require a mental health professional...they may not seek that help they need....I'd rather be seen by a doctor who is getting the help they need than one who is not.

Check out this article:

http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=0a88d52b-9ab7-41df-9819-fd30a3de0a3f

 

[sweetpeamd09]

i fixed your quote for you.

and you do make a good point. physicians can't really TEACH health and well-being if they aren't mentally well, themselves. i do agree.

 

[JamesNunez]

I concur sweet.

 

[typeB-md]

can't you just answer my question? it's not about trolling. you are clearly avoiding this issue.

 

[JamesNunez]

you are confusing a doctor who is being proactive about maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a doctor who is mentally unstable due to an anal, self-destructive personality. it can be argued that both have underlying genetic risks... but the difference is that hypertension doesn't make you act like a nutjob.

would you also accept nutritional advice from a fat dietician? you ignorant students always amaze me with how obnoxious and wrong your ideologies are. to answer your question about physicians leading unhealthy lives, yes. i would never go to an out of shape physician. if a person is overweight, they are telling me "hey, i don't care enough about myself, so i probably don't really care about you either." i can only bless the gods that orthopods and sports medicine docs exist.

and i know your simple mind can't believe that anxiety/depression manifests differently than hyperlipidemia. even when doping the drugs, people suffering from anxiety/depression are not completely right of mind. in fact, this is such an openly stupid argument of yours that i refuse to explain it anymore; anyone with half a brain can see how ******ed you are acting.

Anyone with a quarter of a brain can realize that you're an ignorant simpleton. You seem to believe that all mental illnesses have some sort psychological cause.

 

[BrieTC]

It seems to me that at the root of this thread is a complete lack of understanding that you don't have to be a type-A personality to suffer from GAD. As a matter of fact, I could argue that an anxiety disorder is just as likely to spawn control issues as the other way around...it's necessary to have SOMETHING under control when your life keeps "washing up and down." So here are some happy facts for you all:

Mental illness? NOT a choice. (Even malingerers and people with factitious disorder and the like are somehow sick, and I can assure you that none of them thought to themselves at age 4, "Hey, a cool way to get through life is to pretend to be ill all the time! Neat!")

Those of you who fail to understand that? Will NEVER be compassionate human beings, much less effective doctors.

 

[typeB-md]

Anyone with a quarter of a brain can realize that you're an ignorant simpleton. You seem to believe that all mental illnesses have some sort psychological cause.

first, you are confusing psychiatric illnesses with mental illness due to a general medical condition.

now that we've cleared that up...

i am referring to physicians who are unstable, not patients. doctors should have to be mentally stable to be licensed. but go ahead and preach on, brother.

 

[JamesNunez]

first, you are confusing psychiatric illnesses with mental illness due to a general medical condition.

now that we've cleared that up...

i am referring to physicians who are unstable, not patients. doctors should have to be mentally stable to be licensed. but go ahead and preach on, brother.

Okay, I don't want to argue. So explain to me what your view is. Are you saying that any person with a mental illness should no be a physician?

 

[typeB-md]

Okay, I don't want to argue. So explain to me what your view is. Are you saying that any person with a mental illness should no be a physician?

yes.

i don't believe a people with mental illnesses should be allowed to be practicing physicians. as a person of influence, a physician should be of healthy mind and body. we should be role models.

it's the blind leading the blind, otherwise.