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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cloudnine on May 30, 2007, at 9:52:58
Dear all,
How many of us tell our friends,families,colleagues that we take ADs or APs or mood stabilizers..etc.
I for myself,sometimes say something like..oh I need a tranqulizer...and for some reason I hear people speak moe easily about taking Valium,Xanax,Ativan....but I can hardly recall people talking about Antidepressants (Tofranil,Efexor..etc)..me included.I can not tell a colleague at work that I take Antidepressant,but its OK if I say I took a pill of Xanax...
I do not know if Im wrong,but I feel there is a huge stigma and shame if people admit taking Antidepressants,but is less shameful to say you sometimes take a tranqulizer(Benzo).Please share with me,I need your experiences and comments.
Cloudnine.
Posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2007, at 11:24:56
In reply to How many admit taking psychmeds?, posted by cloudnine on May 30, 2007, at 9:52:58
I have no problem talking about meds and have found with talking that most of my neighbors also take some form of psych med. I think the stigma is much less today. Love Phillipa
Posted by 10derHeart on May 30, 2007, at 14:18:26
In reply to Re: How many admit taking psychmeds? » cloudnine, posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2007, at 11:24:56
It is somewhat uncomfortable sometimes, but I pretty much tell anyone. I don't bring it up out of the blue, but I try hard to treat it like any physical condition, if it happens to come up, or especially if someone makes an inappropriate joke or disparaging remark about MI. I also will mention my therapist and therapy sessions, just as if those appointments were for an allergist, or chiropractor or physical therapist. I keep private why I go, but speak about 'the fact' I go as if it's routine...because, for me, it is, and I want them to get this message.
It isn't easy, and some react if as I've said something awful, mumble, change the subject, ignore me. And this can can make me feel badly, but that part gets easier with time and practice.
It's okay, it is *their* issue. I force myself because I truly believe this is the only way to normalize these things in society. By these small interactions, bit by bit.
Tiny drops (e.g., of education) can turn into a puddle which becomes a pool which becomes a pond, a lake, and then an ocean.....
Posted by nolegirl23 on May 30, 2007, at 16:13:39
In reply to How many admit taking psychmeds?, posted by cloudnine on May 30, 2007, at 9:52:58
You're right about the ease with which I can admit to my taking xanax, yet I am very hesitant of telling people that I am on Lexapro and Lamictal. One time somebody saw my Lamictal in my bathroom and asked what it was... I didn't lie, I said that I took it as an anti-seizure med. I left out the part that I actually take it for bipolar disorder. I guess there is (for some reason) a degree of shame involved with being on psych meds...
Posted by Racer on May 30, 2007, at 21:41:24
In reply to Re: How many admit taking psychmeds?, posted by nolegirl23 on May 30, 2007, at 16:13:39
Depends -- many people in my life know that I am {ahem} heavily medicated... But it depends on the person. I don't necessarily volunteer the information, but I do talk about it at times.
And, ironically, I find it easier to admit to Ritalin -- despite being middle aged -- than to the fact that I also take several antidepressants. (Although I do admit to Wellbutrin pretty easily. Just not the "Wellbutrin AND Prozac AND SAMe AND...)
Some people in my life don't ever need to know, and some people in my life have already made disparaging remarks about other people on psychotropic meds. I try to offer some education, but I don't necessarily say that I'm on 'em myself.
Posted by Jedi on May 31, 2007, at 2:09:31
In reply to Re: How many admit taking psychmeds?, posted by Racer on May 30, 2007, at 21:41:24
Hi,
I don't really talk about my meds except to close friends and family. I'm male and I believe the stigma is still larger when dealing with the male of the species. When seeing a new MD or pharmacist I just tell them I take "tranylcypromine". Then I have to spell it for them and make them go look it up. Not really, usually after I spell it for them I go ahead and explain what it is; then they have to go look it up! OK, I'm bad, but 95% don't have a clue what it is. Carry some ID with the critical information on it!
Jedi
Posted by Abby Cunningham on May 31, 2007, at 9:03:29
In reply to Re: How many admit taking psychmeds? » Racer, posted by Jedi on May 31, 2007, at 2:09:31
I too only speak about psych meds to close friends and family. I feel it's no one's business otherwise.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on June 5, 2007, at 0:19:48
In reply to Re: How many admit taking psychmeds?, posted by Abby Cunningham on May 31, 2007, at 9:03:29
too easy for being dismissed by people or overly scrutinized
one close friend and i will never be the same
my dearest and closest know
only one gets the full story
This is the end of the thread.
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