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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 PhoenixGirl on January 21, 2004, at 22:18:31
This fear runs through my mind every day, over and over again. I want to be a reporter, and cover international stories in developing countries. Many of these places are dangerous and there is little access to modern health care. With my serious, long-standing depression, I need medication. If I go without it, I cannot function. I believe that if I can be on my medication, then I could perform my job functions. My fear is that the news organization I may work for would not send me to the locations I want to cover because I need medication, and may not have access to it in those locations. If they would allow me to go, what if I do lose my medications, or run out of it because I have to stay longer than expected, then cannot function? A woman I knew who worked at CNN said they wouldn't send a reporter to dangerous locations if the reporter had to take medications. For the reasons I gave above, which are the same reasons the military does not want people like me.
Truly, when I try to even reduce my medication, I am so severely depressed that I want to die. Getting a "physical" treatment for depression, like medication, is a must for me. I wish that I could get that VNS (vagal nerve stimulator) put in me, or at least the selegiline patch. If either would work for me.
I feel so imprisoned by my condition...I could be an excellent reporter, but with my condition, I don't know what is possible...
Posted by deirdrehbrt on January 21, 2004, at 22:51:19
In reply to Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 21, 2004, at 22:18:31
Hi there.
You bring up a good point regarding your health and career choices. I'm actually considering studying Journalism and French, so long as the vocational rehabilitation people see fit to fund my education.
As far as medications, you are right in that many places in the world might not have your meds. If, though, you are working for a larger organization, you might want to consider that they are usually able to get a correspondent to a location very quickly. I would expect that with their resources, along with Fed-Ex and other couriers, they may be able to get them to you fairly quickly, if they know you need them. Still, it could be a major pain.
You might also want to consider that those assignments aren't usually given to the newest correspondents. I would expect that you would be dealing with much tamer things until you've had some experience under your belt.
Another thing to remember, whenever you are traveling, is to have with you a copy of your prescriptions. Keep it with your passport. The reason is two-fold. 1st, it serves as proof to customs officials that you have a prescription for the meds. 2nd, with the prescription in-hand, if you lose your meds you may be able to find a local druggist who can fill the script.
I guess that in the end, if you really want to do something, you will find a way to get by. It's not always easy, but it can be done. In my last job I did a lot of traveling. It was in the US, Asia, and Europe. It is rare when you don't have at least one emergency, but they can be dealt with. The most important lesson that I learned was to be polite and respectfull. Americans have a bad reputation in some parts of the world, and it is mostly due to being pushy and rude.
I've seen on more than one occasion where someone who was rude will get what's coming to them, but if they are polite and understanding, people will bend over backward to help them.
Sorry for the ranting. I'm just in a mood. :-)
Good luck with your future.
Dee.
Posted by 8 Miles on January 23, 2004, at 19:20:30
In reply to Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 21, 2004, at 22:18:31
Well.......
Objectively, YES, a medical condition (not just "mental") could cause you quite a bit of problem on a LONG stay in a third world country. But do you think that they would send you anywhere in excess of 30 days? I would think not. It is very simple to carry a 30 day supply of your meds with you (I do it whenever I go to a foreign country, and come next month, it will be 6 times in 7 years.) I WOULD recommend/advise you about a few key issues to make sure you can keep your meds (and yourself) safe during your travels. I certainly agree that you should have a letter stating all the meds that you take (you don't HAVE to say what they are, or what they are for, so don't volunteer that info or show your list unless asked for it). ALWAYS, ALWAYS keep your meds in your carry-on bag....ALWAYS! As long as you can prove your ID (passport and another photo ID such as your state driver's license), and ALL your meds have a label with your address that matches your ID, you won't have many (if ANY) problems with U.S. or foreign country's customs people. The first time I went, I didn't put my meds in my carry-on bag, and my regular luggage got delayed. At the time, I did not know how long it would be, and I was afraid that I wouldn't get the luggage in time to take my meds as scheduled. Luckily, they came in about 6 hours later on the next flight. Now, I carry about 10 meds that I take daily in my carry-on, and I have never once been asked about them. Should you be asked why you have so many meds, just keep going on (take a long time so they get bored) about "these are the meds my docs prescribe me." They have much greater concerns than one bag with pills in it. Just remember to ALWAYS keep them in the container as issued from the pharmacy. As far as BEING in a foreign land, and finding meds for some unknown reason, you would be surprised what most countries allow to be sold OTC. Many places do not even require a script for meds. You may have some trouble locating some meds for "mental" conditions, and you may find them in different doses than what you take. Keep in mind that the rest of the world is where our mega-pharmaceutical companies "experiment" with their products before submitting them for FDA approval here. Just last year, for instance, I was trying to find a Z-Pack (zithromyicin). In the states, we are familiar with the 5 day pack, but they had a 3 day pack of a stronger dose. Now I see where the company is seeking FDA approval (if they have not already done so) to sell the 3-pack here. Also, other foreign countries market and sell meds around the world that the FDA has not approved for U.S. sale. It's not hard to find something *similar* to what you are taking. It helps, of course, if you know the chemical name of your meds, and that you can read at least Spanish or German enough to understand the ingredients. I have purchased quite a few meds in Central and South American countries simply by asking at the farmacia about what they have to treat so and so. If you show a keen understanding of the meds and what you need (it helps to at least be able to speak and understand enough rudimentary Spanish to do this well)you will get on OK. Well, I see that I have been rambling along here, so I'll sum it up. IF you can go to another country, don't let your fears about your meds and their availabilty stop you from going. Keep your meds with you at all times. Keep records and use labeled bottles. Try not to act nervous when you go through customs, just be as natural and straight forward as you can be w/o volunteering information that they have not asked you for. 98% of the time, you will walk right through w/o your meds ever being asked about. They may ask you about that big knife in your bag though. Good luck in your endeavors, and don't let fear be a burden to you. I can tell you more if you need it.
8
Posted by deirdrehbrt on January 23, 2004, at 21:02:38
In reply to Re: Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by 8 Miles on January 23, 2004, at 19:20:30
8 Miles,
I agree with you on most items with the following exception. I have been on a number of business trips that went much longer than expected. 3 weeks can turn into a month and a half, one week turns into three. Depending upon the career, the average stay can be quite long. Journalists may be in a foreign country for months, depending on the story. I was an engineer, and instalation of a new system involved a great deal of work and subsequent training of the people operating the equipment.
I guess that my only point is to know what the requirements may be, know what the average deviation from plans is, and then to give yourself some room based on what you know.
In most parts of the world, most meds or suitable substitutes can be obtained. Other places are not as friendly. Some customs officers will become alarmed if they see large quantities of meds, so documentation will be important. If you can show that what you are carrying is reasonably close to what you would need for your stay, you should be alright. and again, there is Fed Ex, and your company would pay for that.
Dee.
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 24, 2004, at 22:03:39
In reply to Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 21, 2004, at 22:18:31
I know of a girl who studied in Russia for 6 months and just brought 6 months worth of psych meds along with her. And -- in case of an emergency in which you're stuck with only the stash that's in your bra (along with your spare cash, right?)-- UPS and FedEx deliver basically everywhere, even to small villages in Ghana and Bolivia.
What makes you want to work in international journalism? I once considered working as an international journalist -- I love writing and travel -- but after reading "Buying the Night Flight," I decided that the work is too dangerous. I'm not willing to risk my life for a story. And considering how the American people seems to swallow whatever crap the administration shoves down their throat, and the unresponsiveness of the administration to our concerns, it seems that the existence of a free press is less and less meaningful. You can tell the people the truth and watch nothing happen for better.
Aaah, I'm being cynical. Maybe even jealous. But seriously -- what makes you want to do this so badly? Maybe you can find a way to accomplish your goal another way. Travel writing? Nonprofit work?
Posted by Catmom on January 25, 2004, at 0:50:20
In reply to Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by PhoenixGirl on January 21, 2004, at 22:18:31
I would encourage you to go ahead and shoot for your dreams, PhoenixGirl. I don't know at what stage in your career you are, currently. My own career evolved as I discovered that I was actually much more capable and competent than I ever dreamed possible.
I think that prescriptions can be worked around. I had two months abroad in 1997 and I got some sort of special prescription from my doctor for all of my medications that included about a 3 months supply filled all at one time. No problems with customs, no questions.
Wishing you the very best, and encouraging you to shoot for what feels good for you and for what you enjoy most. Following a passion can be a revelation in the journey, not just in the arrival!
Posted by PhoenixGirl on January 27, 2004, at 18:57:39
In reply to Re: Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by bookgurl99 on January 24, 2004, at 22:03:39
I'm considering being a journalist because the truth is an important value to me, and I have a thing about fairness. Unfairness makes me really angry. It seems to me (maybe I am naive), that the press serves an important role as watchdog of the government. I would love to expose some absurdity or injustice or lie.
I have the same worries about it that you do, though. People are mostly cattle, eating up whatever is fed to them by corporate America and the government - the Siamese twins. People are dumber, have shorter attention spans, and don't even give a shit about what's right anymore.
On top of that, the media is more and more about entertainment and making a profit. They may not want to piss off their corporate advertisers with responsible reporting that sheds light on ugly things those corporations are doing.
Plus, as far as I know a career in journalism generally means major stress, low pay, lots of interaction with people, and exposure to negative subjects.....Is that good for a depressed, anxious person with major social anxiety?
Given all these things, maybe it's pointless to go into the career. Maybe my thinking is negative and distorted as well, I don't know.
What to do, what to do...*sigh*
Posted by PhoenixGirl on January 27, 2004, at 19:00:26
In reply to Re: Afraid psych problems will limit my career! Help, posted by Catmom on January 25, 2004, at 0:50:20
About why I want to become a journalist....It comes down to "making things better". I want to help people and actually do something about things that are wrong.
I feel foolish or naive....I don't know....Sometimes it all seems futile.
This is the end of the thread.
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