WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO TAKE BACK OUR LIVES ?
There seems to be lots of misinformation, confusion, fear, humiliation, shame, and the rest re the fact warriors experience increased levels of 'wear and tear syndromes' as compared to the general population--common enough in this group. I come across far too many people living with unnecessary suffering. The signs are posted all over cyberspace, stamped on the foreheads of people with whom I cross paths in daily life, not to mention all the back channel messages received from people around the world. Over time, I've become intolerant of mental health professionals who drop the ball in this area, frustrated by the stigma that bullies people to suffer in silence, and less patient with excuses suffering people use to justify not taking steps to minimize their pain. Maybe, I expect warriors to get past the stigma and fear that paralyzes most people.
What is it going to take for people to cease and desist with stupid thinking and refusal to believe there are many things available to reduce the pain ? What are we waiting for ? We've no idea how much time we have left to live. We seem to be not too aware that our suffering has negative effects on those around us. Few people realize that the longer we wait to do something, the more damage is done to our brains and other bodily systems. The 'tough it out' attitude is patently foolish. There are most always ways around lack of health insurance, no money, nobody around we trust to sort things through with us.
A few months ago, I wrote a post called 'WEAR AND TEAR SYNDROMES". I think it offered a different way of looking at things that get called 'head problems', made it clear that too often putative head problems are actually garden variety medical problems. The post made it clear we have gotten pretty damn good at minimizing suffering--even increasing okayedness. The post encouraged people to begin to view head problems as medical problems with psychological and interpersonal ramifications. I think I mentioned there are some decent people who do quick consults by phone or Internet to get things rolling. I stated my intention to open up an office in cyberspace and via telephone lines using encryption, etc. People don't seem shy about running things by me on the side. I've a knack for sorting through huge messes to develop practical game plan. I will connect people with resources, contact family doctors, locate decent mental health professionals,----almost always people feel less lost and more hopeful.
I've made no secret that I am way too familiar with the territory. For me, things started to get rough by the time I turned 12. I don't have personal experience with Multiple Personality Disorder, OCD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and such. However, I have wandered far and deep in the rings of Hell. Most of what people seem to allude to in cyber space is well traveled territory for me personally. People would be hard pressed to bring up something I haven't worked on with patients (one who suffers) and friends (patients too). Depression, anxiety, panic, PTSD, sleep problems, 'what'sthepointitis', ADD, PMS (not), and so on and so forth.
There are very few medicines I have not tried; when I partnered with a psychiatrist friend we made a point of sampling virtually everything: anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medicines, sleepers, pain medicine, marinol, all sorts of medicines that didn't fit into neat categories. Never tried Viagra type medicine. The method in the madness was to get first hand experience with anything we'd suggest to people; we had a deeper appreciation for the nasty effects, etc. The fact that I couldn't care less what 'people will think' does two things: first he makes it much easier for other people to give something a try and pisses off my miserable mental health peers....many who secretly take medicine and the rest who need it.
I take medicine for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and sleep.....some medicines kill 2 or 3 birds with one stone. I consider it as noteworthy and worth talking about as the synthroid I take for hypothyroidism or vitamins and herbs injested to keep me healthy. I am not defined by these diagnoses or medicines. Do people march around talking about medical problems that aren't apparent to other people ? Do people 'confess' they take medicine for hypertension or high cholesterol ? What's the difference ? Zip.
People have good reason not to trust mental health types. Plenty of you have suffered at the hands of lunatic professionals. Lots of people have felt lousy for so long, it's near impossible to imagine relief. It all becomes such a complicated seemingly endless and hopeless mess.
At a minimum, I believe it's safe to say some relief is available to everyone. Some people will need to make peace with a certain amount of suffering for the rest of their lives. Most people can look forward to pretty significant relief. Yeah, yeah, yeah, says the cynic. No matter. I stand my ground. I am an immovable object lots of the time. My point is simple---what is it going to take to suspend disbelief for a short bit. How do we justify not drinking a glass of water placed in front of us when dehydrated ?
Anyway, I felt impelled to raise this topic again. I imagine I will again. I am very interested in hearing from people re this whole 'non-issue'. I will post comments as a part of a post so people can remain anonymous. The person who fesses up to the most stuff wins. Not sure what, but they will win.
"Don't take it so serious--it's just an experience"
R.D. Laing
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Tags: Depression Psychiatry Psychology Mental Health Warrior Traditions Dr K
