I secretly have hope that in my lifetime I'll see effective treatments for mental illness that don't involve taking medications - at least, not as many meds. It sure does seem like research is lagging severely. As it's becoming more and more apparent that psych meds, while potentially incredibly helpful (but with all the terrible side-effects, burn-out, etc.), are not the perfect answer to mental illness treatment (and certainly aren't a cure), I wonder why other types of research aren't happening - or aren't available to patients. Michanne, you're probably correct about future generations having access to non-med or low-med treatment options that we might not have during our lifetimes. I sure hope so.

Sadly, I'm used to my husband's lack of understanding and acceptance about mental illness. Oh, he's sympathetic, but he retains his belief system...that we somehow make an agreement to be sick, whether it's a broken bone or mental illness or cancer or a cold. He says it's not about "blame", but is about us making the decision, at some point, to stop agreeing to illness and replace that self-defeating behavior with love and faith in God. Who knows...he might be correct...still, it does feel like blame when he asks me if I am willing to consider the possibility that I might someday be able to give up medication. And perhaps the worst part of it is that, underneath it all, he's annoyed about having to pay for prescriptions every month...how Godly that is, I'm not sure

Anyway, thanks again Frankbtl, Dix888, Perna, Michanne, Tea&Sympathy, & Fuzzybear for your input and support. I am truly grateful