On Stigma

[Smilemaker100]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I came across the definition of the word "stigma" in a book I read the other day. It is Greek in origin and its meaning has nothing to do with mental health. In the past, stigma referred to the practice of burning or cutting a mark into the flesh of criminals and slaves. The mark served to make their status apparent; a label to set them permanently apart. I don't think we have made much progress. We still stigmatize people. The physical markings may be gone, but an invisible stamp of "the other" is often squarely applied to the forehead of someone with a mental disorder.

In the early 1990s, the Ontario division of the CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) conducted a survey in order to assist the development of an anti-stigma campaign . Here are some interesting figures from that survey which was conducted on people working in the mental health field. The survey was done to see their opinions on which attitudinal barriers were most pervasive. The respondents, by percentage, stated that the following beliefs are most prevalent (most erroneous of course). That people with mental illness:

-are dangerous and violent 88%
-lack intelligence or are developmentally handicapped 40%
-cannot function/cannot hold a job/have nothing to contribute 32%
-lack willpower/are weak or lazy 24%
-are unpredictable/can't be trusted 20%
-are to blame/should shape up 20%

The research also revealed that social and family life, along with employment, were the areas most frequently identified as being negatively affected by stigma. High percentages of respondents said stigma impaired:

-social and family relationships 84%
-employment 78%
-housing 48%
-inclusion in the community 22%
-self-esteem 20%

So stigma REALLY affects many aspects of a person's life. It is hard enough for such patients to deal with the diagnosis of their illness and accept to be treated so imagine what stigma can do to one's self esteem? No wonder why some patients are more suicidal once they receive their diagnosis and observe how people treat them differently BECAUSE of the label. There really isn't much of a moral support network for those who are afflicted by mental illnesses. I think being diagnosed with just about any other illness you can think of is less devastating than mental illness because people will be more sympathetic. Much progress remains to be done...

Any additional comments?

 

[Poety]

Speaking of stigma, did you see the law and order last night? Ripped from the headlines bipolar girl stops taking meds because idol rock star tells in interview they are harmful - bipolar has sex with two gys at once and accuses them of rape, recants later, bipolar then tries to kill herself, but only bangs herself up and kills 14 y.o. and injures 6 others. Trial starts, bipolar says she hates "stigma" of mental illness and how people are treated if they know someone is diagnosed. Court rules guilty anyway - but you see the point here. Its a problem, one big enough that they did a series show about it, the psychiatrist was attempting to derail the "rock star" (ofcours akin to our fav person Tom Cruise). In the end, rock star ends up having had ECT in his youth, is p.o.'d he lost his memory - and thats used against him in the court case.

Stigma is real. I mean even as mental health professionals - I've heard "not in my backyard" or similar statements regarding MI. People that EVEN UNDERSTAND MI don't want to be around it when its too close to home ya know? Interesting.

Now think about this, how would you feel if a sibling or parent had schizophrenia or bipolar - is that something you'd readily share or would you be afraid of the "stigma" (as a physician) hmmm

 

[MBK2003]

Perhaps the most elegant person I hear speak on this topic was Kay Jamison at our grand rounds few months ago. The gist of her discussion was that she could write a book and "come out", so to speak, about her own bipolar disorder because she was a full professor, running a clinical service, with the strong backing of her chair. And after that she still got a lot of negative comments and looks from colleagues. She said that she counsels junior faculty, residents, and medical students that if they want to speak out about their own illness they should really take to heart that she was in a much better position professionally than most when she published her book, and it can have disasterous career ramifications for them.

I know that within our program, seeking referrals for a family member's care for mental illness or substance abuse can be a difficult problem because of the potential judgments.

This speaks to why programs for SPMI that include family psychoed as large component have in small trials demonstrated some improved efficacy for preventing relapse. I saw a model program where they used multifamily group psychoed (ongoing group therapy and psychoed) for the families of young adults with prodromal and 1st break psychotic illnesses. Their prelim data was impressive for improvement in GAF and seeing kids who were actually returning to school, graduating, and getting jobs.

 

[Psyclops]

The fact that MI is still stigmatized is not news. I like the defenitioin though. Also I'm sure people are aware of the stigmatta? The 5 wounds that Christ supposedly susteaned on the cross, and others are said to have experienced throughout the past 2 millenia.

If we go by a litteral defenition of the word then are patients who self harm stigmatizing themselves?

I think the problem is that it is very difficult to reconcile holding people responsible for thier behaviors and understanding that mental illness affects behavior, often times beyond the person's control. But even some of those with MI are able to control thier behavior.

 

[Poety]

I'm starting to be able to read through your typos psy

I'm interested in hearing some responses to my question - how would you feel if you or a family member had a MI - would you tell your colleagues? Would you feel you could tell the department?

Personally - I would NEVER, and thats a sad state of affairs but its the truth. Perhaps a drug issue with a family member I could share, but no way in hell could I tell them about say schizophrenia/bipolar or something else like that, especially anything with a genetic link (although I understand the addiction relation to genes so ya know). Reason? Fear they would think (educated OR NOT) that I either a) have a MI myself, or b) will present with one during residency.

Interesting, how in my eyes, addiction wouldn't be 'as bad' as a schizophrenia or bipolar to share.... ok come on people, cough up your thoughts and be HONEST!

 

[Psyclops]

I'm starting to be able to read through your typos psy

I'm interested in hearing some responses to my question - how would you feel if you or a family member had a MI - would you tell your colleagues? Would you feel you could tell the department?

Personally - I would NEVER, and thats a sad state of affairs but its the truth. Perhaps a drug issue with a family member I could share, but no way in hell could I tell them about say schizophrenia/bipolar or something else like that, especially anything with a genetic link (although I understand the addiction relation to genes so ya know). Reason? Fear they would think (educated OR NOT) that I either a) have a MI myself, or b) will present with one during residency.

Interesting, how in my eyes, addiction wouldn't be 'as bad' as a schizophrenia or bipolar to share.... ok come on people, cough up your thoughts and be HONEST!

I know what you mean about the drug use stuff. That still has such a morality component attatched to it. And to some extent there is a reason. The way I see it, if there are genetic predispositions to drug abuse, I could be highly addiction prone to opiates, but I have never tried one, don't plan on it, so there is nothing to worry about.

I don't mean to pry Poety, but after a certain age, if you haven't borke yet, you probably won't, even if you have a family hx of schiz. Are you out of the woods?

You know everything has some sort of genetic component. Which is why it isn't very interesting in my book. Even variance in personality, abnormal and normal, can be explained to some extent with genetics. So would you be willing to tell them your parent's are a-holes? Because even someone with MI might only be depresed part of the time, a-holes might be that way every day.

I wouldn't worry as much about telling them about family MI as opposed to my own.

I also want to say that if someone is concerned about you not being able to perform your duties safely and competently, that isn't stigma, that is just safety and pragmattics.

 

[Poety]

Interesting, oh yes I'm well outta the woods - I'm an old fart I'm just saying in general here- I wouldn't tell, but thats me. Also, I see what you mean about pragmatic, but as mental health professionals, wouldn't you think it should be understood that MI can be controlled with medication? And if so, then why is there still a fear of having our colleagues ill? Also, the "stigma" in medicine about people with MI would probably be that they're lazy and incompetent.

 

[Psyclops]

Also, I see what you mean about pragmatic, but as mental health professionals, wouldn't you think it should be understood that MI can be controlled with medication? And if so, then why is there still a fear of having our colleagues ill? Also, the "stigma" in medicine about people with MI would probably be that they're lazy and incompetent.

I want to say that yes, it can be controlled with medication, to some extent, but not "cured". That is a big problem with the medication regiments, even for things like depression and anxiety, high remission rates. Also, with the side effects of some of the medication, one might wonder if there would be impaired judgement. I don't know about lazy, but incompitent maybe. Incompitent doens't have to carry with it a tone of condescension. If you are unable to perform your duties adequately, or to appreciate the situations you might be in, it merely would be the reality. SO not a value laden "incompitent" but a matter of fact "incompitent".

 

[Poety]

I want to say that yes, it can be controlled with medication, to some extent, but not "cured". That is a big problem with the medication regiments, even for things like depression and anxiety, high remission rates. Also, with the side effects of some of the medication, one might wonder if there would be impaired judgement. I don't know about lazy, but incompitent maybe. Incompitent doens't have to carry with it a tone of condescension. If you are unable to perform your duties adequately, or to appreciate the situations you might be in, it merely would be the reality. SO not a value laden "incompitent" but a matter of fact "incompitent".

Are you messing with me? Its "incompetent" grrrr

On the other stuff you said, see? Even you mr. psychologist have attached a "stigma" to MI, so it is wider spread than we thought 😉

 

[Psyclops]

Not a good speller me. I wasn't trying to mess with you.

 

[Smilemaker100]

Speaking of stigma, did you see the law and order last night? Ripped from the headlines bipolar girl stops taking meds because idol rock star tells in interview they are harmful - bipolar has sex with two gys at once and accuses them of rape, recants later, bipolar then tries to kill herself, but only bangs herself up and kills 14 y.o. and injures 6 others. Trial starts, bipolar says she hates "stigma" of mental illness and how people are treated if they know someone is diagnosed. Court rules guilty anyway - but you see the point here. Its a problem, one big enough that they did a series show about it, the psychiatrist was attempting to derail the "rock star" (ofcours akin to our fav person Tom Cruise). In the end, rock star ends up having had ECT in his youth, is p.o.'d he lost his memory - and thats used against him in the court case.

Stigma is real. I mean even as mental health professionals - I've heard "not in my backyard" or similar statements regarding MI. People that EVEN UNDERSTAND MI don't want to be around it when its too close to home ya know? Interesting.

Now think about this, how would you feel if a sibling or parent had schizophrenia or bipolar - is that something you'd readily share or would you be afraid of the "stigma" (as a physician) hmmm

Unfortunately, the media greatly distorts MI and gives the public the impression that ALL criminals have an AUTHENTIC mental illness.

Dr John Monahan, a prominent US researcher says "There's no question that SOME of the violence in society can be attributed to [serious] mental disorder. The best estimates are that it's in the neighbourhood of 4%. So that even if mental disoder could be magically cured tomorrow, 96% of violence in society would still be there. "

Dr Julio Arboleda-Florez, from Queen's University, thinks that the estimate of 4% may be high. Florez says, " Were you to attempt to determine the contribution of mental disorder makes to societal violence as a whole, then it's so small that it's difficult to measure."

GREAT NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS AFFLICTED BY A MI ARE MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT SUICIDE THAN HARM OTHERS. A monumental study entitled "The Global Burden of Disease" which was done by the WHO, Harvard and the World Bank, measured the DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years) which means , one lost year of life ,either through disability or premature death. It totals the years of healthy living lost to various diseases. For example, a young person killed or injured in a car crash would have a higher DALY score than would an elderly person, who had fewer productive years of life remaining.

Five of the top ten causes of DALYs,worldwide, are psychiatric disorders.

Leading DALY Causes, Ages 15-44, Worldwide (1990)

Total (thousands) Per cent of total


1) Unipolar major depression 42,972 10.3
2)Tuberculosis 19,673 4.7
3)Road traffic accidents 19,625 4.7
4)Alcohol use 14,848 3.5
5)Self-inflicted injuries 14,645 3.5
6)Bipolar affective disorder 13,189 3.1
7)War 13,134 3.1
8)Violence 12,955 3.1
9)Schizophrenia 12,542 3.0
10)Iron deficiency anemia 12,511 3.0

More than 40 million 😱 years of life are lost to death or disability by depression alone! This is jut one age group in one diagnostic category! According to this measurement, depresion has a toll on human life three times greater than war.

 

[Anasazi23]

Interesting, how in my eyes, addiction wouldn't be 'as bad' as a schizophrenia or bipolar to share.... ok come on people, cough up your thoughts and be HONEST!

I know exactly what you mean. I had a friend the other week tell me about a girl he met at the bar, that he was considering dating. He's not in the medical field. Then, he mentioned that although she was cute and nice, she mentioned that she was on what amounted to be Effexor and Risperdal. And he wanted to know if I, a doctor, knew what those were.

I told him to steer clear.

 

[Psyclops]

I'd rather date most axis I d/os than most substance dependancies.

 

[Psyclops]

That previous statement includes those who require Risperdal, hell clozaril even.

 

[pingouin]

I don't know, Psyclops. A couple years ago at a friend's wedding, the groom's brother was hitting on me. Unfortunately for him, the bride had told me several months prior about how they were initiating involuntary commitment procedures on this brother due to his manic symptoms. He went inpatient voluntarily and was doing OK by the wedding.

There's a line for me somewhere, and I'm not exactly sure where it is. But "has at any point met criteria for involuntary commitment" is definitely past that line.

 

[Poland]

In this day, there is no "typical" or even a universal definition of "traditional." This being said, we come across something unexpected everyday. Your boss may be taking depression medication. Your mother may be going to counseling. We have all experienced depression, no?

Rather than shame all of the ones who have sought help, we should be more concerned about someone who won't look for it. Not that we could blame them, but who wants to trust themselves with someone who values a perfect record over honesty and happiness?

 

[Smilemaker100]

I know exactly what you mean. I had a friend the other week tell me about a girl he met at the bar, that he was considering dating. He's not in the medical field. Then, he mentioned that although she was cute and nice, she mentioned that she was on what amounted to be Effexor and Risperdal. And he wanted to know if I, a doctor, knew what those were.

I told him to steer clear.

I hope you don't mind my asking, but just out of curiousity, doctor, why did you decide to specialize in psychiatry?

Just to play the devil's advocate, let's say your friend had met a girl in a bar who had one of the following conditions, would you still tell him to stay clear of her ? :

-Addison's disease
-Addiction (alcohol/drugs)
-ALS
-Anorexia nervosa
-Binswanger's disease
-Bulimnia nervosa
-Cancer (eg. adrenal adenoma,pheochromocytoma)
-Chagas disease
-Cushing's syndrome
-Diabetes
-Epilepsy
-Fibromyalgia
-HIV
-Huntington's disease
-Hyper/hypothyroidism
-Lupus
-Lyme disease
-Ménière's disease
-Menopause
-Multiple sclerosis
-Obstructive sleep apnea
-Polycystic ovary syndrome
-Porphyria
-PMS
-Psoriasis

ALL of the above medical conditions have been known to have affective components (mood swings). I am sure that this is only a PARTIAL list of medical illnesses with psychiatric components. But of course, what do I know ? I am just a stupid and ignorant dentist with no medical knowledge. 🙄

 

[Poety]

I think Sazi is the only one here aside of myself being honest here. The reality is none of us want it in our own house, or even our yard. You can hem and haw and say all this PC crap but I'm sure, if you're wife was suffering from bipolar, or YOU were (dentist, psychologist, whatever you do) you would NOT go around telling that to anyone. In fact, if you did, and at lesat in medicine, I can guarantee you, you're buying yourself some judgements. This is the REAL WORLD, this isn't la la land where substance abusers are less acceptable than bipolar or schizos. People are afraid of bipolars, and schizos but everyone knows an addict and no one is worried about the addict for what reason? Because society said addicts are ok, and recover, and become huge rock stars - bipolars and schizo's don't.

I'm not worried about a little PD, or schzoid behavior, but you better be damn sure I hope I didn't match with someone who has major depression or bipolar - because thats going to put a burden on me at some point. This is just the reality. This is how PD's see it and all the medical establishment. To deny it (however wrong it may be) is not being true to yourself.

Ask yourself this question - do you want your partner to have an SPMI in private practice? Or how about a wife/husband - I'll tell you what, I'm taking the percocet popper over the schizophrenic for the one I'd date any day of the week.

 

[Anasazi23]

That previous statement includes those who require Risperdal, hell clozaril even.

Know many people on Clozaril?

 

[Anasazi23]

I hope you don't mind my asking, but just out of curiousity, doctor, why did you decide to specialize in psychiatry?

Just to play the devil's advocate, let's say your friend had met a girl in a bar who had one of the following conditions, would you still tell him to stay clear of her ? :

-Addison's disease - Yes
-Addiction (alcohol/drugs) - Depends
-ALS - occurs usually in older women, not my (our) age
-Anorexia nervosa - No
-Binswanger's disease - Yes
-Bulimnia nervosa - No
-Cancer (eg. adrenal adenoma,pheochromocytoma) - Depends on grade/stage
-Chagas disease - No
-Cushing's syndrome - Yes
-Diabetes - No
-Epilepsy - No
-Fibromyalgia - Maybe
-HIV - Yes
-Huntington's disease - Maybe
-Hyper/hypothyroidism - No
-Lupus - No
-Lyme disease - No (non-contagious)
-Ménière's disease - No
-Menopause - Depends
-Multiple sclerosis - No
-Obstructive sleep apnea -
-Polycystic ovary syndrome - Depakote induced?
-Porphyria - No
-PMS - Probably not
-Psoriasis - No

ALL of the above medical conditions have been known to have affective components (mood swings). I am sure that this is only a PARTIAL list of medical illnesses with psychiatric components. But of course, what do I know ? I am just a stupid and ignorant dentist with no medical knowledge. 🙄

Thanks for the psychiatry lesson.
Nobody is trying to make you feel devalued. Why the hostility?

Risperdal and Effexor, for me, have a specific meaning. If you're not a psychiatrist, it probably isn't as evident or obvious. Then again, I could be mistaken as to why she's on this regimen.

Like Poety said, I'm being honest and not sugar-coating the concept. The concept in reference is stigma, and how pervasive it can be - even among mental helath professionals.

 

[Triathlon]

I hope you don't mind my asking, but just out of curiousity, doctor, why did you decide to specialize in psychiatry?

Just to play the devil's advocate, let's say your friend had met a girl in a bar who had one of the following conditions, would you still tell him to stay clear of her ? :

-Addison's disease
-Addiction (alcohol/drugs)
-ALS
-Anorexia nervosa
-Binswanger's disease
-Bulimnia nervosa
-Cancer (eg. adrenal adenoma,pheochromocytoma)
-Chagas disease
-Cushing's syndrome
-Diabetes
-Epilepsy
-Fibromyalgia
-HIV
-Huntington's disease
-Hyper/hypothyroidism
-Lupus
-Lyme disease
-Ménière's disease
-Menopause
-Multiple sclerosis
-Obstructive sleep apnea
-Polycystic ovary syndrome
-Porphyria
-PMS
-Psoriasis

ALL of the above medical conditions have been known to have affective components (mood swings). I am sure that this is only a PARTIAL list of medical illnesses with psychiatric components. But of course, what do I know ? I am just a stupid and ignorant dentist with no medical knowledge. 🙄

Mood swings are not really on the level of psychotic episodes or acute mania.

And there are at least eight on that list that "I" would say to steer clear of. (substance abuse, eating disorders (depending on severity), HIV, Menopause (age?), ALS, chagas and Huntingtons (life expectancy) and a few others maybe) WHy? Because I would. Relationships are hard enough.

 

[Poland]

I agree that relationships are hard enough. Everyone has their own idea of what is acceptable and normal and what they feel comfortable with. If a doctor must respect his profession, it is my opinion that his insight gained should create understanding and not further these stigmas. Of course you wouldn't go around discussing your loved one's experiences with Bipolar Disorder, but this is a forum and what we say is likely what we believe. I would want my patients to know that there is life for them. Of course there is.

 

[Psyclops]

I've never had a whole country as my super-ego before.

Poety, I was being honest, I would consider almost all MI before I would date a substance abuser. Wait till you work dual diagnosis and then get back to me.

As for telling people about a disease? I don't know. Would I tell them about cancer if I had it? I don't know if I would want to share alot of medical issued, psychiatric or otherwise.

Smilemaker, as for the list, how good looking is my firend? But seriously, HIV? Would you ever not counsel your friend from dating someone with HIV? It's not a matter of judgement on the afflicted person's part, this is what I was trying to get at above. There need be no judgement, it just would be too dangerous to become intimate with them. The same goes for all manner of other situations with all sorts of other illnesses and disorders. It doesn't have to be judgement of the value of the person, but their disorder might make them idadequate for certain tasks, or dangerous to others, etc.

 

[Solideliquid]

Smilemaker, as for the list, how good looking is my firend? But seriously, HIV? Would you ever not counsel your friend from dating someone with HIV? It's not a matter of judgement on the afflicted person's part, this is what I was trying to get at above. There need be no judgement, it just would be too dangerous to become intimate with them. The same goes for all manner of other situations with all sorts of other illnesses and disorders. It doesn't have to be judgement of the value of the person, but their disorder might make them idadequate for certain tasks, or dangerous to others, etc.

^
I completely agree! Who in their right mind would advise their FRIEND to start going out with a person infected with HIV? I know it sounds cruel but hey the reality is why would you advise ANYONE to start a relationship with an HIV-infected individual.

And I think I feel the same way for terminal cancer patients (even though the list just says cancer). I mean heck life is hard enough, do you want to attach yourself to someone you don't know and have to be there 24/7 until that person dies? Jeez man life is tough enough without adding huge burdens like this.

Afterthought: Hey smilemaker so you are a dentist and medicine is like your hobby? How did you put that list together (I mean what made you take those specific diseases)?

 

[Smilemaker100]

I agree that relationships are hard enough. Everyone has their own idea of what is acceptable and normal and what they feel comfortable with. If a doctor must respect his profession, it is my opinion that his insight gained should create understanding and not further these stigmas. Of course you wouldn't go around discussing your loved one's experiences with Bipolar Disorder, but this is a forum and what we say is likely what we believe. I would want my patients to know that there is life for them. Of course there is.

You sound like an intelligent psychiatrist. If I needed one, I'd call you. 😉 🙂

 

[Smilemaker100]

I've never had a whole country as my super-ego before.

Poety, I was being honest, I would consider almost all MI before I would date a substance abuser. Wait till you work dual diagnosis and then get back to me.

As for telling people about a disease? I don't know. Would I tell them about cancer if I had it? I don't know if I would want to share alot of medical issued, psychiatric or otherwise.

Smilemaker, as for the list, how good looking is my firend? But seriously, HIV? Would you ever not counsel your friend from dating someone with HIV? It's not a matter of judgement on the afflicted person's part, this is what I was trying to get at above. There need be no judgement, it just would be too dangerous to become intimate with them. The same goes for all manner of other situations with all sorts of other illnesses and disorders. It doesn't have to be judgement of the value of the person, but their disorder might make them idadequate for certain tasks, or dangerous to others, etc.

I was just trying to make a point that there are MANY conditions which have psychiatric manifestations (eg. thyroid disorders) and yet, we don't stigmatize those individuals as we would if they had an illness classified in the DSMV. Of course, I am no expert in that domain . I was expecting some psychiatrists in this forum to back me up on the point I was trying to make.

In regards to HIV, it seems like the public seems less prejudiced than it used to be towards HIV (as oppose to the 1980s), which has only been around for about the past 30 years .However, mental illness has been documented since the times of Aristotle, yet there is still so much stigma ! We haven't evolved much in that sense.

 

[Smilemaker100]

^
I completely agree! Who in their right mind would advise their FRIEND to start going out with a person infected with HIV? I know it sounds cruel but hey the reality is why would you advise ANYONE to start a relationship with an HIV-infected individual.

And I think I feel the same way for terminal cancer patients (even though the list just says cancer). I mean heck life is hard enough, do you want to attach yourself to someone you don't know and have to be there 24/7 until that person dies? Jeez man life is tough enough without adding huge burdens like this.

Afterthought: Hey smilemaker so you are a dentist and medicine is like your hobby? How did you put that list together (I mean what made you take those specific diseases)?

Yes, medicine is kind of a "hobby" for me. I am a woman of many passions. 😍 😀

Briefly, I did an undergraduate degree in "microbiology and immunology" , followed by graduate (M.Sc) work in neuroscience/dental sciences (trigeminal nerve) and then finally, dental school.

I don't know if you are aware of this, but there is a growing trend of more dental schools having curriculums in which the dental students are enrolled in the medical faculty for the first 18 months or so. We take a lot of the basic science courses with med students (anatomy, histology, pathology, neuroscience, biochemistry, microbiology, etc. ) There is more oral medicine/pathology being taught then there used to be. Dentistry is becoming less of a "technical" profession and more of a medical sub specialty.

 

[Milo]

You're a chick? Never would have guessed it. That's hot.

 

[Poety]

Poety, I was being honest, I would consider almost all MI before I would date a substance abuser. Wait till you work dual diagnosis and then get back to me. .

I did a year of research in dual diagnosis, and I can't stand addicts - the question I answered was between a schizo/bipolar vs. addict, I'd have to take the addict over the schizo. In reality I'd take neither.

 

[Psyclops]

I did a year of research in dual diagnosis, and I can't stand addicts - the question I answered was between a schizo/bipolar vs. addict, I'd have to take the addict over the schizo. In reality I'd take neither.

That was quick, yeah, I was trying to illustrate a point. Peace.

 

[Poety]

That was quick, yeah, I was trying to illustrate a point. Peace.

Careful Psy, people here may have more experience than you think 😉 😛

 

[Smilemaker100]

You're a chick? Never would have guessed it. That's hot.

Yes, I believe the last time I checked, I was a chick.

 

[Smilemaker100]

-Addison's disease - Yes
-Addiction (alcohol/drugs) - Depends
-ALS - occurs usually in older women, not my (our) age
-Anorexia nervosa - No
-Binswanger's disease - Yes
-Bulimnia nervosa - No
-Cancer (eg. adrenal adenoma,pheochromocytoma) - Depends on grade/stage
-Chagas disease - No
-Cushing's syndrome - Yes
-Diabetes - No
-Epilepsy - No
-Fibromyalgia - Maybe
-HIV - Yes
-Huntington's disease - Maybe
-Hyper/hypothyroidism - No
-Lupus - No
-Lyme disease - No (non-contagious)
-Ménière's disease - No
-Menopause - Depends
-Multiple sclerosis - No
-Obstructive sleep apnea -
-Polycystic ovary syndrome - Depakote induced?
-Porphyria - No
-PMS - Probably not
-Psoriasis - No

I didn't list those illnesses without some references. I can tell you , for instance, that there is VERY much an affect component in ALS. I know so from personal experience because an uncle of mine died from ALS about 7 years ago. I can't believe you dismissed MS as not having a mood disorder as one of it's manifestations.

Anyhow, I don't have the time to "defend" myself right now as I have a busy day ahead of me. I'll get back on this later.

 

[Psyclops]

Careful Psy, people here may have more experience than you think 😉 😛

I hadn't meant for it to sound the way it did. Oh well, no harm, no foul?

 

[Poety]

I hadn't meant for it to sound the way it did. Oh well, no harm, no foul?

never you crazy mispeller 😛

 

[Solideliquid]

I didn't list those illnesses without some references. I can tell you , for instance, that there is VERY much an affect component in ALS. I know so from personal experience because an uncle of mine died from ALS about 7 years ago. I can't believe you dismissed MS as not having a mood disorder as one of it's manifestations.

Anyhow, I don't have the time to "defend" myself right now as I have a busy day ahead of me. I'll get back on this later.

Hot dentist,

First of all, sorry about your uncle.

I don't think sazi was assigning his yes or no answers based on mood changes from the disease alone. Remember the last time you had the cold or flu? Didn't it change your mood? I know my mood gets really crappy when I have to stay in bed all day and go through two boxes of tissues.

 

[Psyclops]

Hot dentist,

First of all, sorry about your uncle.

I don't think sazi was assigning his yes or no answers based on mood changes from the disease alone. Remember the last time you had the cold or flu? Didn't it change your mood? I know my mood gets really crappy when I have to stay in bed all day and go through two boxes of tissues.

Good point, for many of those diseases my decision to romance them would not be made on the affective syptoms associated with their condition.

 

[Poety]

Perhaps Sazi and Smilemaker should just DO IT and get it over with 😛 😉

 

[Anasazi23]

I didn't list those illnesses without some references. I can tell you , for instance, that there is VERY much an affect component in ALS. I know so from personal experience because an uncle of mine died from ALS about 7 years ago. I can't believe you dismissed MS as not having a mood disorder as one of it's manifestations.

Anyhow, I don't have the time to "defend" myself right now as I have a busy day ahead of me. I'll get back on this later.

I wasn't dismissing anything. Your post said:

would you still tell him to stay clear of her ? :

Then, a list of various diagnoses were given. I was assigning yes/no status to dateability of each condition....in a playful manner....that apparently failed.

🙁

 

[Solideliquid]

Since we are on the topic of stigma, what in terms of stigma sounds better to patients and the general public? The term mental illness or psychiatric illness/psychiatric disease?

 

[Triathlon]

Since we are on the topic of stigma, what in terms of stigma sounds better to patients and the general public? The term mental illness or psychiatric illness/psychiatric disease?

Probably equal.
They are either "mental" or psycho".

 

[Smilemaker100]

Hot dentist,

First of all, sorry about your uncle.

I don't think sazi was assigning his yes or no answers based on mood changes from the disease alone. Remember the last time you had the cold or flu? Didn't it change your mood? I know my mood gets really crappy when I have to stay in bed all day and go through two boxes of tissues.

Oooooooo now I am not a stupid dentist but a hot one? Thanks.

Yes, I am sorry about my uncle too. He was a very humble and brilliant cardiovascular surgeon. I wish I got the chance to know him more.

I still stand by what I said. I am too tired to debate this now but these illnesses do in fact have a serious affect component. Taken from Harrison's "Principles of Internal Medicine" :
Let's take MS for instance:

Multiple Sclerosis - Cognitive Dysfuction : may be recognized early or late in the course of of MS.Cognitive deficits most commonly include memory loss, impaired attention, problem solving difficulties, slower information processing, and difficulties in shifting between cognitive tasks. Impaired judgement and emotional liability may be evident. These symptoms impair activities of daily living in as many as 20% of patients.
Depression is experienced by around 60% of patients during the course of the illness. Suicide is 7.5 fold more common in age matched controls.

Will elaborate on this later...

 

[Smilemaker100]

duplicate

 

[Smilemaker100]

I wasn't dismissing anything. Your post said:

Then, a list of various diagnoses were given. I was assigning yes/no status to dateability of each condition....in a playful manner....that apparently failed.

🙁

I was kind of tired this morning. Hectic week.
Sorry! I completely misunderstood. Forget my whole debate then... 🙄

Am I forgiven? 😳

 

[Anasazi23]

I was kind of tired this morning. Hectic week.
Sorry! I completely misunderstood. Forget my whole debate then... 🙄

Am I forgiven? 😳

 

[Smilemaker100]

http://www.geocities.com/amypotter_2001/images/christ12.jpg[/ime][/QUOTE]

:laugh:

 

[Anasazi23]

Smilemaker...fix your avatar. I can't see it.
🙂

 

[Smilemaker100]

Smilemaker...fix your avatar. I can't see it.
🙂

Why do you want to see it ? I like being mysterious. Call me "Woman of Mystery". I shift and change into different shapes and personalities 😉 Use your imagination !
One of these days...maybe

 

[Anasazi23]

Fine...I'll have to project.

 

[Poety]

JUST DO IT ALREADY YOU TWO pfft yer grossing us out over here