Your experiences have profoundly offered insight into the life of someone grappling with severe mental illness. It's easy for some to overlook this reality if they've never witnessed a loved one endure such struggles, either through genetic luck or life's circumstances. The truth, however, is that anyone can become vulnerable to illness, and it's essential to extend empathy rather than passing judgment on others.
It's disheartening to acknowledge that many people diagnosed with mental illnesses often harbor a deep-seated mistrust towards the healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry. Questions arise, for instance, about the frequent prescription of SSRI/SNRIs by psychiatrists and primary care physicians, particularly when some individuals report severe sexual dysfunction as a side effect. This begs the question - why isn't there more post-marketing research on these matters? It's essential to ask if psychiatry, as a field, truly upholds the principles of evidence-based medicine and therapies.
I genuinely appreciate your candid sharing; your posts are incredibly moving and thought-provoking. They remind us all of the preciousness of this journey we call life, especially when blessed with good health. Let us continually foster a spirit of compassion, understanding, and professional diligence in our pursuit of more effective and patient-friendly solutions.
Two summers ago I was driving to one of the LTC facilities I visit (I’m a psychiatric NP). I was almost to my destination when a young woman leapt in front of my car and was struck. Thankfully I had seen her standing near roads edge and was traveling slowly. Of course all traffic stopped and another motorist called 911. I instructed the fully conscious victim to lay still and was met with a response: “Can I go to the hospital now?” I responded yes and for some reason asked if she had schizophrenia. Answer: Yes. Then asked another question: Have you been taking your meds? Answer: No. I asked who was her doctor and she named a local psychiatrist from the local mental health center.
A bystander approached and said he knew the young woman, she had wanted to be hospitalized but was refused at the ER. So she had been jumping in front of vehicles that morning, trying to get herself hurt. Earlier that morning she had jumped in front of a Semi that managed to avoid her.
About then LE and EMS arrived. The officer said they would do the EP, and the patient would receive care, at least for now.
And I went on to the LTC facility. I never found out what happened to the young woman, but I do hope she received appropriate care and a future with less desperation.
In my estimation, the medical system for the most part never cures anyone of anything. There are probes, tests, procedures and of course endless drugs. But most patients are never cured as the root causes of their sicknesses and diseases are never explored or treated. I have experienced this myself a few times and that is why I am now my own doctor as much as I can be.
I believe it should be the medical profession's utmost mission to make a patient an ex-patient and not a patient for life dependent upon medications for diseases that are not cured. Drugs continue to mask the problems and will never render a person fully cured.
Why would it be any different in the mental health ward?
My psych rotation was in a "State Hospital". A ward/floor for different diagnoses. I was terrified at my first visit. It was dreary, loud, chaotic, random. But, as I settled in and learned more in my class time which I took with me to 'my ward' I realized the need of such a facility, the treatment and watchful eye caring for each individual.
(After graduating I worked on a locked unit which was also a voluntary unit - [yeah I know]) This was a wing attached to a hospital. 4 floors treating different diagnoses. It seemed futile as I thought it too little, too late.
I watched the State Hospitals drop off the skyline one by one like trees being cut down for growth and modernization. I don't know why they aren't around any longer. Yes, they needed a face lift, more funds to run, experienced staff, etc., but they kept people safe, off the street where it is so dangerous. Patients had instant access to a meeting, group, medication. I'm only 1 little person knowing this much [ ] about something so vast.
I met M in Feb 2022 after her first hospitalization for Bi polar 1 complicated by PTSD. I consider myself thoughtful and extremely conservative in my prescribing practices, M neededed meds and we were able to work w her successfully using mood stabilizers until Jan 2023. During that time she too returned to art and was working FT. Since Feb of this year there have been 5 hospitalizations she is still not agreeing to take the reasonable regimen that she was successful on last year. Her focus is on police brutality as it always they who are called when M is found “acting odd.” She is not a direct risk to self or others, but as we have seen in our line of work the outcome will not be good. She is not sectionable and my heart goes out to families who deal w this conundrum on a daily basis. There are compassionate providers out there. We must train more of them
so sad since the Rx has been known for thousands of years in TCM & Ayurveda...change the diet/change the brain... Lookit, ol'mechanics would say that if your car was not running right, you should try a different brand of petrol ...
The Gut-Brain Axis Explained in Plain English | Diet vs Disease
One of the most cutting-edge areas of research involves the ‘gut-brain axis’ – the connection between the brain, gut, and microbiome and its potentially huge influence over our health.
Only recently have scientists started to better understand the gut-brain-microbiome axis and how it can impact not only physical and digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also mental health conditions like depression and anxiety...
==== The Simplified Guide to the Gut-Brain Axis - How the Gut Talks to the Brain
I have a family member that has been committed four times. The process is devastating for the patient and the family members. Your description sounds more compassionate, but I can tell you from personal experience, there a huge areas that could be improved. Some psychiatrists are using long term injectables without proper consent with family or patient. These can lead to horrible side effects that may or may not be recoverable. This is all under the guise that this is good for the patient. Lots of evidence from Netherlands and other countries suggest that we let psychosis play itself out naturally...without medicine. The longer term success with patients has been documented as better than antipsychotics that have lots of very harmful side effects. I also understand that all these psychotropics are used to get the patient properly drugged so they can be released quicker. Most hospitals have horrible (all processed and sugar laden) diet choices, no staff to conduct individual therapy to figure out the root cause of the person's psychological trauma, and there is one person that has the power to keep you hospitalized for the entire period. The individual has no rights at all, even as they heal. So, just another perspective.
Freddie DeBoer speaks similarly on this issue.
Your experiences have profoundly offered insight into the life of someone grappling with severe mental illness. It's easy for some to overlook this reality if they've never witnessed a loved one endure such struggles, either through genetic luck or life's circumstances. The truth, however, is that anyone can become vulnerable to illness, and it's essential to extend empathy rather than passing judgment on others.
It's disheartening to acknowledge that many people diagnosed with mental illnesses often harbor a deep-seated mistrust towards the healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry. Questions arise, for instance, about the frequent prescription of SSRI/SNRIs by psychiatrists and primary care physicians, particularly when some individuals report severe sexual dysfunction as a side effect. This begs the question - why isn't there more post-marketing research on these matters? It's essential to ask if psychiatry, as a field, truly upholds the principles of evidence-based medicine and therapies.
I genuinely appreciate your candid sharing; your posts are incredibly moving and thought-provoking. They remind us all of the preciousness of this journey we call life, especially when blessed with good health. Let us continually foster a spirit of compassion, understanding, and professional diligence in our pursuit of more effective and patient-friendly solutions.
Two summers ago I was driving to one of the LTC facilities I visit (I’m a psychiatric NP). I was almost to my destination when a young woman leapt in front of my car and was struck. Thankfully I had seen her standing near roads edge and was traveling slowly. Of course all traffic stopped and another motorist called 911. I instructed the fully conscious victim to lay still and was met with a response: “Can I go to the hospital now?” I responded yes and for some reason asked if she had schizophrenia. Answer: Yes. Then asked another question: Have you been taking your meds? Answer: No. I asked who was her doctor and she named a local psychiatrist from the local mental health center.
A bystander approached and said he knew the young woman, she had wanted to be hospitalized but was refused at the ER. So she had been jumping in front of vehicles that morning, trying to get herself hurt. Earlier that morning she had jumped in front of a Semi that managed to avoid her.
About then LE and EMS arrived. The officer said they would do the EP, and the patient would receive care, at least for now.
And I went on to the LTC facility. I never found out what happened to the young woman, but I do hope she received appropriate care and a future with less desperation.
In my estimation, the medical system for the most part never cures anyone of anything. There are probes, tests, procedures and of course endless drugs. But most patients are never cured as the root causes of their sicknesses and diseases are never explored or treated. I have experienced this myself a few times and that is why I am now my own doctor as much as I can be.
I believe it should be the medical profession's utmost mission to make a patient an ex-patient and not a patient for life dependent upon medications for diseases that are not cured. Drugs continue to mask the problems and will never render a person fully cured.
Why would it be any different in the mental health ward?
My psych rotation was in a "State Hospital". A ward/floor for different diagnoses. I was terrified at my first visit. It was dreary, loud, chaotic, random. But, as I settled in and learned more in my class time which I took with me to 'my ward' I realized the need of such a facility, the treatment and watchful eye caring for each individual.
(After graduating I worked on a locked unit which was also a voluntary unit - [yeah I know]) This was a wing attached to a hospital. 4 floors treating different diagnoses. It seemed futile as I thought it too little, too late.
I watched the State Hospitals drop off the skyline one by one like trees being cut down for growth and modernization. I don't know why they aren't around any longer. Yes, they needed a face lift, more funds to run, experienced staff, etc., but they kept people safe, off the street where it is so dangerous. Patients had instant access to a meeting, group, medication. I'm only 1 little person knowing this much [ ] about something so vast.
I met M in Feb 2022 after her first hospitalization for Bi polar 1 complicated by PTSD. I consider myself thoughtful and extremely conservative in my prescribing practices, M neededed meds and we were able to work w her successfully using mood stabilizers until Jan 2023. During that time she too returned to art and was working FT. Since Feb of this year there have been 5 hospitalizations she is still not agreeing to take the reasonable regimen that she was successful on last year. Her focus is on police brutality as it always they who are called when M is found “acting odd.” She is not a direct risk to self or others, but as we have seen in our line of work the outcome will not be good. She is not sectionable and my heart goes out to families who deal w this conundrum on a daily basis. There are compassionate providers out there. We must train more of them
so sad since the Rx has been known for thousands of years in TCM & Ayurveda...change the diet/change the brain... Lookit, ol'mechanics would say that if your car was not running right, you should try a different brand of petrol ...
dietvsdisease.org /gut-brain-axis/
The Gut-Brain Axis Explained in Plain English | Diet vs Disease
One of the most cutting-edge areas of research involves the ‘gut-brain axis’ – the connection between the brain, gut, and microbiome and its potentially huge influence over our health.
Only recently have scientists started to better understand the gut-brain-microbiome axis and how it can impact not only physical and digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also mental health conditions like depression and anxiety...
==== The Simplified Guide to the Gut-Brain Axis - How the Gut Talks to the Brain
https://psychscenehub.com/psychinsights/the-simplified-guide-to-the-gut-brain-axis/ 1/19
The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a bidirectional link between the central
nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the
body. It involves direct and indirect pathways between cognitive and
emotional centres in the brain with peripheral intestinal functions...
====
healthythinking.substack.com /p/gut-brain-axis-2hour-video-connection
GUT-BRAIN AXIS [2hour VIDEO] Connection between Gastrointestinal Microbes and Mental Function
Dr Alex Kennerly Vasquez
I have a family member that has been committed four times. The process is devastating for the patient and the family members. Your description sounds more compassionate, but I can tell you from personal experience, there a huge areas that could be improved. Some psychiatrists are using long term injectables without proper consent with family or patient. These can lead to horrible side effects that may or may not be recoverable. This is all under the guise that this is good for the patient. Lots of evidence from Netherlands and other countries suggest that we let psychosis play itself out naturally...without medicine. The longer term success with patients has been documented as better than antipsychotics that have lots of very harmful side effects. I also understand that all these psychotropics are used to get the patient properly drugged so they can be released quicker. Most hospitals have horrible (all processed and sugar laden) diet choices, no staff to conduct individual therapy to figure out the root cause of the person's psychological trauma, and there is one person that has the power to keep you hospitalized for the entire period. The individual has no rights at all, even as they heal. So, just another perspective.
Interesting and thought provoking when you realize how devastating mental illness can be.
Thanks for your compassion as you deal with these real people who have real lives.