Posted by Janet on September 21, 1999, at 17:37:58
In reply to Re: Mixed state, posted by Bob on September 21, 1999, at 15:15:46
> Janet,
>
> 15 minute consultations are not therapy, no matter what your 3 docs may think. And I imagine that they do care about you in their own way. The problem is, the medical model's standard portrayal of patients is hardly that of fellow human beings. Thank goodness there are those (such as Dr. Bob, who besides being named 'Bob' also has provided this space for us as well as the rest of his site!) who realize patients are human beings and not mechanisms to be fixed.
>
> One of the most important things my clinician-in-training girlfriend has taught me is to be an active participant in my health care decision-making. Even down to questioning a doctor's prescription for a scratchy throat. I was raised to believe that doctors knew everything, or at least far more of this mysticism called medicine than I could ever be able to comprehend, and that I should unconditionally accept what my doctor has to tell me and do what he says to do. It's superstitious hogwash, but I think it's a pretty common superstition that winds up making HMO officials quite a bit of money. I've been tempted to change my pdoc because I've had such mediocre results with my meds over the last 2.5 years ... but my GP asked me whether my relationship with the pdoc was worth giving up. It wasn't -- in spite of the trouble we've had finding the right combination of meds, my pdoc knows me and my situation very well; he's very responsive outside of our monthly sessions should I need him; and I trust him. It's like you said about that therapist you moved away from -- that trust is so essential and it can take a long time to develop that trust. I took me more than a year in therapy before I could admit that I needed anyone else's help and, more importantly, that I needed my therapist's help. It's like they say -- the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
>
> So, if you think your 3 pdocs are full of it on their "smile and take a pill" attitude, then go get a therapist. They aren't in charge of your health -- you are.
>
> strength and courage to you,
> Bob
Thanks Bob,
I'm so depressed now , it scares me. I don't know enough about what I need med. wise. And the the talkitive mania is gone with the wind. I'm just an empty shell now that does not care. I have an appt. with a mental health counselor tommarrow. I don't know her qualifications or what I'll say.
I am void of all words, of all life. You people know what I mean, of how I feel. I don't think I'll pick up the knife and cut my tongue off, but don't those thoughts come anyway? I have too wonderful a family to do that to. I can't believe this roller coaster came again. I was doing so, so well. Janet
poster:Janet
thread:11740
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/11860.html