Hiya Kay Dee:
Hmmmmnnnn, my reply was not meant to confront you or offend you; I'm sorry. Good points there. Agreed that different perspectives can only help Be in his quest for tackling this. My comments were not personally directed towards you.
The different schools of thought are just another way to reach out and help people. Some work for some, while others need a different approach. You're right, I really don't know. They are representative of behavioural approaches to modify a person's approach. Drug therapies alone don't work. Is it group therapy, individual or socio-emotional/educational? Just a ponderance here.
No, I have not attended medical school, but have taken ab., gen. and life development psych. classes. My goal was to become a physical therapist. So I'm no authority, however I have a Mom and daughter, 19, that were hospitalized for major depression/dsythemia. Prozac worked for my Mom, while my daughter has yet to find something that works for her. She suffers from alcoholism too. Both diseases are said to be influenced by the hypothalmus region of the brain. A close friend was diagnosed with manic-depression and was put on lithium. However, her levels went unchecked and she developed a thyroid condition. (this was under the care of a psychiatrist) Counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists misdiagnose patients all the time too. Each has a special approach or leaning to, as well as, different types of degrees and education. Important to know while shopping for a professional. What's the point? Well, just that the pros don't know everything. Sorry, but I do not think it is an exact Science.
As far as empathizing with taking a drug and its side effects for better health, that's all. This thread is not about my stuff. I'll tell you though, I went to a medical professional for help with fibroids. One was halfway pushing into my bowel wall. Very uncomfortable and painful, but the totality of my symptoms were discounted as "all in my head." Now that's funny, 'cause the Doctor was right. No scans in that time period. The kicker is if they figured it out before the Grand Mal, then I'd be looking at remission and a cure. Now, if I go into remission, the cancer will grow back definitely. Doctors do NOT know everything. My neurosurgeon explained that there are quite a few mysteries where the brain is concerned. All that just is I feel the pain of anyone struggling with coping with a chronic disease. Btw, one month before my seizure the professional was telling me to limit my symptoms to one 'cause it was too much to fill out in the diagnostics.
Another example of infallible medical diagnosing by the experts would be all the teenagers going through "identity crisises." If the're down, it's depression, yet if they are down and anxious and sleepless, it's manic-depression. Not always an accurate assesment if it is a situational reaction. These are all just a glimpse into how the system works and how the patient sometimes feels like they are on a rollercoaster ride. The more informed a person seeking help is, then maybe the better their results can be. Just a thought.
Suffering does suck! Wouldn't it be nice if they'd hurry up and figure out a cure for these disorders?
If this serves no useful purpose to Be, then I'll shut up right now. K~
Now for the smilies, which I agree we all need more of: