Hi, Welcome and other folks,

I don't think you should be taking those kinds of remarks too much to heart, Welcome; the ones denying psychiatry as a legitimate, scientific medical profession and other things along that line.

Many (most?) of the people making those kinds of statements have traditionally been mentally ill themselves in one way or another, and simply don't want to accept the fact. They provide many of the supporters for the various anti-psychiatry schools of thought that have sprung up over the years.

There are different, real ways of practising psychiatry. Some psychiatrists rely entirely on prescribing medications. Some develop much closer, more intense relationships with patients (I'm not talking about T's here, but pdocs). Some psychiatrists are very, very angry at other psychiatrists because of what they do or don't do.

For example, some psychiatrists feel that there's no such thing as classical schizophrenia. As you may well understand, some people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia would rather believe the psychiatrists who say it doesn't exist than accept the fact that they are indeed mentally ill.

These are all really arguments (a) among psychiatrists, and/or (b) made by people who are really frustrated dealing with their own mental illness.

On the internet, we hear and read ALL the various viewpoints and arguments, almost always without any labelling or explanation of who and what is really involved. Of course, I don't know which websites you've been reading, but the large majority of psychiatrists today sincerely believe in what they're doing and that they're helping their patients deal with real diseases. Don't be dismayed by the fringe people! Take care.