posted December 07, 2006 08:35 AM         

How can I best start this? As a non-US resident, I have to admit that I don't know all that much about the US medical system. I didn't live in the UK long enough to be familiar with the British system, either. So I'm speaking from my experiences in the region I've spent most of my lifetime so far.

Maybe this is going to be a rant? I sincerely hope not. I hope I'll be making sense and I hope what I'm going to say, or try to discuss, will be useful in a way. At least not a complete waste of time or repeating old stuff! I don't know if similar topics have been keenly talked about at LL before.

I'm going to sound like I'm all over the place.

Doctors that never apologize. Not even when they have evidently made a mistake- be it the prescription, the attitude toward a patient, or offenses that are clearly against the medical ethics.

Doctors that tell lies in order to protect themselves. They lie to patients because they assume most patients don't know much. They look at you straight in the eye and LIE. They justify things they do such as: prescribing a schedule III drug (e.g. Rohypnol- which is banned in the USA and the UK, but unfortunately it is legal here), having said something unprofessionally provoking, biased, offensive...to a patient; touching your thigh several times when a gynecologist is demonstrating the length of stockings he's recommending you to consider to wear (long story) and getting away with it; patting your knee right before performing a cervical exam on you (another gynecologist) and furiously barked "I was doing a cervical exam on you, WHY couldn't I pat your knee?" when asked why he did that (politely inquired)...

I wanted to make this post as impersonal as possible, but obviously I've failed. That sounded like a rant complaining about myself. But the thing is the aforementioned are problems encountered by many other people here in this country, not just one single person. A few days ago I saw on TV news that a woman had filed a lawsuit against an internal medicine physician (here the system is weird- people don't have their own GPs, but instead they can go see a specialist directly, anywhere in the country, no restrictions on areas) because according to the female patient, she saw the doctor for some other minor problems, but then the doctor, as a non-gynecologist, asked the woman to undress for him to perform a pelvic/cervical exam etc. I didn't follow up the news.

There's one very popular antipsychotic medication, which is most frequently prescribed by the psychiatrists in this nation- why? Because it is one of the cheapest drugs. I'm not about to give the name of the medicine here, due to the possibly controversial nature of the issue at hand. No, I've never taken it myself. But this drug is notorious for its many troublesome side effects, which can cause extreme discomfort, and some of them would not fully remiss. Along with another antipsychotic, these two have had the highest suicide rates among the antipsychotic drugs prescribed today. And it's true- the only reason why psychiatrists prescribe this most often is simply because it's the least expensive. They usually wouldn't give this drug to more informed patients. This fact is starting to revolt me.

I haven't been feeling myself lately, and I'm sorry that I sound disorganized. I should have written down what I'd been thinking about posting. Now I find myself not remembering everything I wanted to say.

Perhaps when (and if) I feel better, hopefully soon, I'll be able to express my thoughts more articulately.

Right. The "psychiatric medical theocracy". Finally I've recalled something. Sorry, this seems to be lengthy.

How ironic. I used to be a staunch supporter of the so-called psychiatric medicine. Well, thank God, it's not that my own shrink has wronged me or failed me...once again, thank God this isn't the case. However, what I've seen in other cases is making me sick.

Again, I don't know where I should start. A while ago I read one of the knowflakes saying that those pharmaceutical manufacturers were making those drugs not to cure people, but to keep individuals ill in order to obtain their profit. Back then I didn't take that theory seriously. Thinking back, I was too naive. IF they found the cure for mental illness, they- the people in the "biz", those doctors- would be essentially out-of-a-job. I guess this has been spoken of to the degree of being worn out.

But for someone who had barely ever questioned the nature of psychiatric medicine, the psychopharmaceutical industry, it is shocking, just shocking, to one day wake up and realize this.

I'm not advising people to give up their psychiatric treatments or to turn their backs on their physicians etc. I hope you understand.

Not just pharmacotherapy, but the so-called psychotherapy and psychoanalysis as well.

I'm not saying there's absolutely no value at all in psychoanalytic theories, or therapies as such. Many of them remain interesting intellectual exercises, if nothing else. But lots of patients who encountered problems with their therapists/analysts would do their own research, look for books about these subjects, read about them then realize that they had been abused by their therapists/analysts. Fortunately I'm not talking about me here, so again this isn't my case.

Nonetheless, some people are lucky to get better, to find it working for them, to get well. It's true.

Just remembered another instance which I nearly forgot- I saw this guy I know this morning. He's a middle age volunteer at the psychiatric hospital, and a recovering alchoholic. To me, he's more like a father figure. Anyway, I noticed something wasn't quite all right with him, and he told me that he had had a binge drinking episode a few days ago, it was serious, and he was sent to the emergency room, stayed there for days, just got out yesterday. It was heartbreaking to see him like how he was today- cognitively slowing down, tremors etc. To see him having deteriorated after having seen him well for such a long time.

I gently guided him as I asked some questions about the drinking episode. Of course, there were reasons for his relapse, especially psychological ones. I suggested him talk about this with a more understanding, more patient doctor at the hospital. It's strange that advising people whom to see is in fact his job there, but this time I was the one trying to subtly urge him to do so. It was sad that apparently, after the episode, his functions had worsened (but who knows...maybe he'll get well again soon. You never know). He started muttering "I've been seeing the best physician...I'm seeing the best physician here (in this hospital)...She's the best...I've attended the AA meetings...why did this (the relapse) happened? I just don't understand why this happened..."

"She said," this chap was saying, "Don't come back again! I don't want to see you!"

I asked him who said it. He told me it was his psychiatrist. I probably made a mistake to comment that this was not very kind of her to say something like this. The volunteer tenderly defended his doctor, repeatedly said "She's the best...she's the best..."

How could I argue with him about that? Under his then condition? I had to remain silent about that and go on with our conversation.

Sorry, I'm aware that I've been severely all over the place. I'm not doing this on purpose (as to being all over the place).

I've seen cognitively impaired patients remarking how "nice" their psychiatrists are when they're not, and how "friendly" the inpatient ward nurses were when in fact they were being abusive to the patients. I'm not suggesting those patients are "stupid". It's just cognitive impairment is only too common among mental patients (even patients with certain other medical conditions), affected by either their illnesses or their medication side effects, or both. Again, I have to admit that I don't know that much about how it works in the States, but that's how it works here.

Now, ranting back to the psychotherapy part...does therapy work? It depends on the case, I think. But there are many failed cases, or cases with complications resulting from the therapies/analyses.

And putting many, many children on psychotropics...

In any event, I think I'm starting to lose my faith in the medical theocracy, particularly the psychiatric medical theocracy which I once believed in so fervently.

Just my two cents. I don't know what you have to say about this. There are too many incidents/examples to only begin with. This is so sick. Just so sick. I'm talking about the system, and those "professionals" (many of whom are unprofessional, with very few exceptions), those who make money out of this BUT (emphasizing here) without thinking of the benefits of the patients (surely there are those who do, but they're the minority, unfortunately)

posted December 07, 2006 09:00 AM         

That is why they are becoming so worried about the upsurge in complimentary therapies...and the subsequent banning of herbs such as St Johns Wort is evidence of their fear.

Thankfully many people are now taking responsibility for their health. They are taking a more holistic approach as opposed to popping a pill..

Isnt it disgraceful that human beings are becoming exploited when in a very vulnerable position?

In Ireland we pay between 30 and 40 euros for a doctors visit...if yer lucky it would take 5 to 10 minutues. You would receive over an hour's treatment from a healer for the same cost...!

DD, Ive never been to a psychiatrist, but Ive had counselling and healing and for me, its worked wonders...I find the body work goes a lot deeper than just talking. For example I have been receiving some accupuncture treatment for the last few months...I cannot believe how different I feel. Talking wouldnt have had that effect. Sometimes the "stuck" energy needs to be moved around and out of the body (in my experience).

The last time I visited a GP was just after my Mum passed. I was having very strong heart palpitations. I knew it was stress, but evenso I went to get it checked. The doctor was very threatened by me when I said I knew I was okay...as we are all our own doctors....but for the sake of my family, I would get it checked. She asked me what I did for a living and I said healer. She gave me such a look....

A dead giveaway really.

The medical profession are invaluable at times, sure they are, but their propensity for dishing out pills makes me sick. People are becoming dependant on medication, when there is no need. Its all a matter of "keeping the masses down".

Thanks be to God, some of us can "see" and have the courage to speak out.

posted December 08, 2006 03:36 AM         

I wouldn't like the idea of making such an impression on folks here as trying to be melodramatic/sentimental or trying to start a fight- especially the latter, which had been the predominant impression I'd made on people at LL previously. Worse still, I also had made such an impression on people here as if I indulge in talking about myself and publicizing all those "sensational dramas" about me, which all seemed exaggerated, not-so-believable etc. Hence my notoriety and the avoidance I've got from many others here, because I've been such trouble.

Sorry, the past paragraphs sounded so irrelevant to the subject matter

Sue G made a good reminder when she referred to the instance of St John's Wort. 3 years ago, my dentist in London recommended the herb to me, and told me that he had family members who had the same condition as I had, that they took St John's Wort, got better and lived happily (but I was never enthusiastic enough, so regretfully, I've never done any in-depth research on the herb, so I don't know much about it).

But then again, somehow the pharmaceutical industry just never "gets it"- or really? I've run into medical essays by chance that advocating against the use of St John's Wort and other herbs in favor to mainstream drugs, which were written by mainstream physicians. There's something fishy about this.

posted December 08, 2006 03:39 AM         

I even remember coming across with a true story that happened in the States about the serious flaws of managed care.

For the past months, I've been thinking every now and then, about what Linda wrote in Star Signs about how a certain group of antient healers (sorry, my copy is not with me, it's at home) charge patients ONLY when they had successfully cured them or alleviated their symptoms. I know this seeming moral superiority-oriented theme may seem a sentimental or nostalgic cliche, but recently I'm coming to take it more seriously and beginning to question if this should be the spirit of the medical profession, but which it lacks today.

Just like there are all kinds of human beings, doctors are people too, and there are all kinds of them as well.

But somehow I have this feeling that tells me it's not that hard to put them into a set of categories.

I know one specialist who would apologize, and who has apologized several times. But among the physicians I've known, he's the only one doctor who does so. No one else would ever, or has ever, apologized when clearly having made a mistake, or even offense. None of them.

So is that pride, ego, or lack of conscience and greedy cowardice ?

It's disturbing that at med school, they don't learn much about holistic healing, or nutrition and dietary knowledge- which is another issue (I'm trying NOT to start a fight about which diet is "right for everybody"- NOT this time around). I mean, they don't even get to learn much about the so-called mainstream nutritional facts (let alone unorthodox nutritional theories, but I'm not implying which is right and the rest are wrong). Many of them, in my country at least, don't even know much about how to eat healthily. Sometimes they give patients ill dietary advice. Food and diet is fundamental and yet barely taught at medical school? God bless those doctors.

posted December 08, 2006 03:40 AM         

Even Freud's own life was controversial. All those psychoanalysts...and most of the rest of the not-well-known psychoanalysts/psychotherapists, only too often break the code of ethics, abuse their patients' rights. If anyone here has read "Women and Madness" then they would have known some cases in which therapists consciously and deliberately abuse their patients. That's why I said in my previous post that some of the patients would look for books about this stuff, read them and realize they'd been abused as patients. Because these things do happen and they happen only too many times.

Even a psychoanalyst cannot deny a certain phenomenon that bears esoteric meaning, but still avoids to admit any connection with that-

Ranting again Those of us who've read Star Signs would know that Linda mentioned how a significant number of infertile couples became pregnant soon after having adopted a child, and Linda surely gave her opinion on that.

At the end of this July, at a psychoanalytic conference, among the invited guests was a British psychoanalyst, who discussed the phenomenon of his female patients getting pregnant, after having been diagosed by their physicians as barren, and became pregnant soon after an adoption of a child.

He never explained why when on the stage. I spoke to him privately about this. I asked him what he thought. He hesitantly commented "I think this has to do with their (the female patients') anxiety..." and went on to say that he assumed that once those women had adopted a child, they learned how to be a parent, and their anxiety about not getting pregnant remissed.

"So this all boils down to anxiety?" I asked.

He said yes and he gently declined to further discuss this.

In any event, Freud became mainstream and Jung became "unorthodox" in most cases. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, Freud dismissed any significance of occultism/esotericism/paranormal activities/spirituality (as far as I know; correct me if I'm wrong) just like the way doctors dismiss and ignore the importance of our balance gained through obtaining balance with nature, holistic remedies, our day-to-day dietary influences on our health etc.

posted December 08, 2006 07:43 AM         

When the matter of life and death, plus our very well-being, our health are in the hands of individuals who form an "industry"- something has gone seriously wrong. Medicine is not supposed to be business, enterprises...but sadly, it is.

posted December 08, 2006 06:03 PM         

I worked as a medical receptionist for 3 months, and having read articles about it as well and my own experiences it just seems like the drug industry is a big money-making scheme. I've seen pills given out like candy, it is frustrating to see that every single patient who comes into a doctor's office go out with pills, despite that research has shown that a good portion of doctors visits are for illnesses caused by STRESS. You'd think they'd be interested in helping the patient treat the causes of the stress, right? But that doesn't happen often.

And I really really do not believe in the mental health care systems in place anymore. I know that sometimes they work for people who are severely mentally ill, and I'm glad they do help, but I've suffered from mild depression on and off, went to a few therapists, and oh my god my experiences...every single therapist, including a volunteer mental health care worker, actually gave me new problems I didn't even know I had, or would blame my problems that were obviously not caused by me, on me, which only served to make me worse. I just got the sense that these people took me at my most vulnerable time and used that to their advantage to keep me coming. And for me to pick up so many books and realize that a good portion of my depression was actually situational, and went away when I resolved that enormous painful situation, and to have been told that I needed to go on antidepressants because that was the only way I would get better, antidepressants that have documented nasty side effects, I never want to go back to a therapist. I was even suggested to read a book by one therapist that suggested that females SHOULD be submissve and males dominant. Another therapist wouldn't even pay attention to me as I talked to her, and instead would go through her mail during my visits, despite that I was paying her almost $100 for each visit. And unfortunately none of these therapists were in the same office, which makes me think these issues are widespread.

And just a normal doctor, I'm appalled at how the doctors I've had do not appreciate that I do my research ahead of time. I don't like that need to feel as though they know it all and the patient shouldn't know anything, to me that is arrogance and ego. I prefer to have a doctor who can stand on equal grounds with me and work with me, but unfortunately I've rarely found that, and instead found doctors who desired to have me be this needy patient that they can tell what to do treatment-wise. (Fortunately my eye doctor, my orthodontal surgeon, and a physical therapist when I dislocated my knee had me on their level, which was amazingly cool).

I've just found healthcare in general in the U.S. severely frustrating, and I tend to not go to the doctors anymore unless I know something is seriously wrong, because of the treatment I've gotten in the past. And in fact, I know I've been diagnosed incorrectly in the past, like when I had a sinus infection and somehow was diagnosed with bronchitis. Or the NP at my college who had failed to look at my chart and gave me a medication that COULD have killed me (lucky for her it didn't) due to a certain ingredient in it I am allergic to (which now if I get meds I am very diligent about looking over ingredients).