Quote:
Originally Posted by BudFox
I missed this before. I guess you are saying that a person in crisis has only two options--meds and therapy. If so, I would consider that an extreme statement. Seems there are many other ways to heal.
This sort of position is considered acceptable. Nobody bats an eye.
But if someone asserts a similarly extreme position on the other end of the spectrum (e.g. do not enter the mental health system, it is much too dangerous), that person will likely be torn to pieces. Even if they deliver that message with sensitivity.
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Actually, because of the way the mental health system works in the U.S., often a person in crisis does only have those two options--meds and/or therapy.
Certainly there may be alternative treatments. But consider this:
1. Insurance in the U.S. generally does not cover alternative treatments such as supplements, acupuncture, etc.
2. Some treatments such as ECT are only covered by insurance and/or approved by doctors if meds and therapy options have been exhausted.
3. Some options aren't appropriate for the severity of the illness (a person with mild depression, for example, may benefit from a self-help book or yoga, but this is less likely to be helpful for a paranoid schizophrenic experiencing psychosis).
I'm not saying this is right. It's not even really a "position," as you call it. It's the reality of the mental health system currently.