Posted by Cam W. on March 25, 2000, at 11:06:04
In reply to Re: ps, posted by Phil on March 25, 2000, at 7:17:57
Joy - Almost everyone has a right to choose there own treatment, but that choice needs to be an informed one. We are all adults, capable of making our own decisions ("most of the time"). Sometimes we do not understand how sick we really are or even that we are sick. This is where medication (conventional or herbal - though less proven) come in.Medication can help someone realize how sick they are when it works. It can uncloud the mind and allow us to see just how wrong our thinking can be at times (eg psychotic delusions, feelings of hopelessness, etc). As has been so eloquently stated on this site,"Medicines put the floor under your feet."
This is when the real healing can begin and psychotherapy (self-induced or with the help of a professional) either resolves the mental problem (eg as in most depressions) or, if the mental disorder is chronic, allows us to deal with it better and more productively (eg as in schizophrenia or bipolar disorder).
Medications alone are not the key to recovery, the are only the 'bandage'. One must also work at helping themselves to live with their afflictions; be they mental or physical (or both). You cannot take a "magic pill" and have all your troubles disappear. The road to recovery or remittance is very hard and one must work very hard to attain the recovery goals that they have set out to achieve.
Unfortunately, we are not scientifically advanced enough to be able to tell you, "Yes, this is the medication you will need to aid in your recovery." Our medicine is still very much 'hit and miss'. All of our medications have inherent problems (side effects, toxic effects, etc.). As my daddy use to say (but in a different context), "You must kiss a lot of frogs before you find your princess" (or prince, as the case may be).
So, one should not totally abandon one proven therapy (eg conventional medication) outright. All therapies must be understood within their context. An informed choice must be made by you and only you, after all options have been considered in a rational way.
Hope this helps - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:20862
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28124.html