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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 16:21:43
Obviously drugs or psychiatric intervention are not normally needed or recommended for the routine ups and downs of everyday life? How then to decide to see a psychiatrist and consider taking medicine?
You may be a canditate to see a psychiatrist and take a psychiatric drug if you have symptoms of anxiety or depression for "no good reason." If your symptoms interfere with your ability to function at work or at home; if your symptoms persist for longer than a few days;if others tell you that you seem unusaully moody, stressed or anxious; if you have suicidal thoughts; if you use alcohol, street drugs or unprescribed medications to ease tension, improve your mood, or help you sleep; or if you persistently exhibit odd, bizarre behavior, often to the point where others feel threatened.
There is very little to be lost, and a lot to be gained by consulting a psychiatrist in these circumstances. Psychiatric illness is not a sign of personal weakness. Great scientists (S.E Luria) heads of countries (Abe Lincoln) and famous artists (van Gogh) have suffered from psychiatric illnesses.
Monte
Posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:12:06
In reply to When is it time to see a Psychiatrist?, posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 16:21:43
Yeah I agree. When things are out of control for no understandable reason, either a psychiatrist or a GP who specializes in psychiatry is going to be a step toward an improved quality of life.
But there are always trade-offs. For example, with an antidepressant it could take months of switching from one to another to fine the best fit, and only a small percentage of people ever find a perfect fit. Side effects. Some are tolerable and some are not.
Benzodiazepines. Might be a road you're on for a long time, and leaving that road is hard. But, if it improves quality of life, it's a trade-off someone has to decide on.
Antipsychotics. Can work miracles and can be disasters. Quality of life trade-offs.
And of course, we hear stories all the time of psychiatrists who don't seem to have a clue what they're doing. Even my doctor who specializes in psychiatry told me that I know more about psychiatry and receptors and such than any of the bigwhig psychiatrists in the area. That's kind of scary.
> Obviously drugs or psychiatric intervention are not normally needed or recommended for the routine ups and downs of everyday life? How then to decide to see a psychiatrist and consider taking medicine?
>
> You may be a canditate to see a psychiatrist and take a psychiatric drug if you have symptoms of anxiety or depression for "no good reason." If your symptoms interfere with your ability to function at work or at home; if your symptoms persist for longer than a few days;if others tell you that you seem unusaully moody, stressed or anxious; if you have suicidal thoughts; if you use alcohol, street drugs or unprescribed medications to ease tension, improve your mood, or help you sleep; or if you persistently exhibit odd, bizarre behavior, often to the point where others feel threatened.
>
> There is very little to be lost, and a lot to be gained by consulting a psychiatrist in these circumstances. Psychiatric illness is not a sign of personal weakness. Great scientists (S.E Luria) heads of countries (Abe Lincoln) and famous artists (van Gogh) have suffered from psychiatric illnesses.
>
> Monte
Posted by Racer on April 26, 2006, at 18:28:05
In reply to When is it time to see a Psychiatrist?, posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 16:21:43
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 19:39:45
In reply to Re: When is it time to see a Psychiatrist?, posted by blueberry on April 26, 2006, at 18:12:06
Speaking of benzo's, do you remember me telling you i have been taking ativan for 20 yrs? Sometimes my daily dose was as high as 10-12mgs. due to tolerance, it just didn't help at lower doses. Anyway, i'm down to only 2 mgs. a day now, lowest i've been in 20 yrs. :) I will coninue to taper slowly until i'm off it completely. After 20 yrs. i've developed dependence of course. Parnate takes care of my anxiety so i don't need it anymore. I'm excited to be ativan free!!! Any advice for going off the last 2mgs., i'm a little concerned to be honest with you, have heard some horrible stories about benzo withdrawal. Thanks. :)
Monte
Posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 21:15:15
In reply to Re: When is it time to see a Psychiatrist? » blueberry, posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 19:39:45
Monte slow down. Look how much you've accomplished in a short while and the worst is behind you wait a while before discontinuing altogether. So the Parnate is still working well. Congratulations. I owe you an E-mail. Love Phillipa
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 26, 2006, at 21:25:45
In reply to Re: When is it time to see a Psychiatrist? » Crazy Horse, posted by Phillipa on April 26, 2006, at 21:15:15
> Monte slow down. Look how much you've accomplished in a short while and the worst is behind you wait a while before discontinuing altogether. So the Parnate is still working well. Congratulations. I owe you an E-mail. Love Phillipa
Thank you Jan, you are so sweet. Looking forward to your email. :)
Love, Monte
Posted by Crazy Horse on April 27, 2006, at 8:09:43
In reply to When the big hand is on the... ;-) (nm) » Crazy Horse, posted by Racer on April 26, 2006, at 18:28:05
This is the end of the thread.
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