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Nammu · Dec 05, 2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDragon

It's interesting that you bring up how professionals have to view the matter compared to us, Costello. Generally speaking, their mandate is ultimately keeping people alive, and otherwise keeping everyone out of harm's way. Good on paper, not so good when it has to be enforced.

Venus - The biggest problem is that alternatives, effective or not, are currently not accepted by the medical community, due to what I just pointed out. It's almost ironic how the Western idea of life first is ruining just as many lives.

Alive, yes but at what cost, at what quality.

Neurological problems, thyroid problems, diabetes, worsening of depression, emotional liability,weight gain and all of the associated health problems of being over weight, the meds also render many apathetic and sedentary which is now proving to be a serious health problem(even if you work out on weekends).many of those with serious MH issues and who are complied to take forced medications often die 25 years before their peers. If they choose to live on the street unmedicated, what right have we to say other wise?

Kudos to those(like Costello) who give their loved ones support without conditions attached. A safe environment to battle the mental monsters without additional fears of coercion and lies. The thoughts that the meds are causing them to be ill is not an illusion but a reality. Perhaps if Dr's and others stop saying that the meds are not hurting them or that it is all in their head advancements could be made. The truth is there are no long term studies on these meds especially for kids. Only now has there been reluctant acknowledgment of the side effects. How ever the down economy has cut backs in social services increasing the use of meds w/o therapy and barely the minimum follow up. Peer support is great, as an adjunct, but they are not doctors and 5 min every 3 to 6 months is not adequate.

That is often all those who are forced to take medications here in this state, see doctors. At the beginning there might be SW or others who try to pop around to see them swallow the pills, but as other postings have stated the person simply isn't home. Sometimes they force a person in a semi-independent living situation to monitor their pill compliance but those are not licensed in this state so the care ranges from good to really poor. That is a worse case scenario as those places often take a person's money and leave them with little to nothing. The streets would be attractive alternative to that, but on paper it looks good to doctors and politicians alike.

So what is the cost to those forced to comply? What is their quality of life?