[QUOTE=zinco14532323;4102917]I am curious to know what peoples direct experience with the psychiatric/ psychology/ therapy community has been? Helpful? Harmful? What approaches did they take? In my 20 years experience with the community they all took a bio/psycho/social approach even in 1995. That seems to be the current wisdom. Kaiser in Northern CA was a little more cutting edge on implementing "alternative" approaches based on good research.

In the 90's I didn't want help and this was reflected by the mental health system. The professionals I saw just kind of gave up on me as a lost cause. I left a really expensive psych ward AMA because I was basically ignored for acting out, but I think that should have been seen as a cry for help. In the past 10 years I have had some horrible therapists and one unforgivable pdoc. I've had T talk about their own problems on a constant basis and belittle my concerns. There is a HUGE shortage of pdocs here. So, you get a bad one or join a waiting list for at least a year. I am blessed because I have a great pdoc and T at a clinic for indigent people. It still took 5 months to get in and it's reputation is awful. When I got there I was trying to get away from the worst pdoc I'd ever seen. It wasn't just my opinion as his private clinic when bankrupt with this demand and he is well educated. Anyway, I sat in th waiting room and cried bc the staff was treating ALL people with respect and concern whether they were homeless or affluent.


I am in America and not a world traveler so I have to stick to my experience. I have been lucky in that most of my life I had good insurance and dealt with private institutions.

My brother-in-law was the head of a psych ward in Ireland for mostly schizophrenics. He was appalled at the American big Pharma reps who tried to shove products on his patients without giving them any info on the medication. He told them to bugger off.

I do think we are way over diagnosed and over prescribed with meds overall. Anyone with the tiniest of problems can walk into a GP's office and walk out with a med. I think it minimizes the issue for those of us with very serious mental illness and causes a back lash.

Yes, with antipsychotics being given for no need, and yes adult ADHD & chronic pain meds are on DEA crackdown so Drs and pdocs are skeptical and afraid to lose their med license.


I am 100% for therapy, diet and exercise, lifestyle, meditation, spiritual practice, and means that could possibly work and it should be studied just as aggressively.

AMEN!!! I am also studying neuroplasticity. Big thanks for the links!