[Brentus]

I was watching a video (specifically, it was about Adult ADHD and Patient perspectives and treaments). But the doctor made some universal statements that really resonated with me. It applies to all mental health discussions and I would love to find a psychiatrist who adopted his mentality and approach to help. I think the baseline of his topic is what attracts people to medicine on a intrinsic level. Just to sum up some of his comments that just really made me feel seen and heard.



1) "This is close to my heart because over the years I have learned that psychiatric disorders describe the symptoms of the condition but not the genuine suffering of the condition."

-- I was absolutely captivated after this statement. It's something I think is often left out especially since most prescribers these days don't also do therapy. The underlying theme here is no one wants to suffer, and we do the best we can with the resources given. We have to genuinely understand our patient to genuinely help treat their condition.

2) How often do we blame the patient for when the healthcare system fails them? Especially when it comes to self-treatments like substance abuse? He said he feels its a much more shared fault than anything else-- because we don't get to know our patients. (Also, personality disorders, Bipolar, depression and anxiety disorders are highly associated as a co-morbidity with ADHD).

Two things here , the more general of the two is how symptoms overlap and sometimes the approach depends on the condition labeled. If someone suffers from depression and anxiety, for example, and their current medicine only tackles depression, you're not really working towards the best quality of life for that person. Point being, addressing all symptoms for best results is the key goal -- not just partial remission or some symptoms.



Second part -- I never really thought about the amount of "trouble " we can get ourselves into, especially in terms of Bipolar disorder. In certain states we can really make a mess. But a caring, competent, provider would be able to recognize that and best assess how to help, with less judgement and a better treatment plan to get us to where we need to be. In therapy, I have had a hard time opening up about some mistakes I've made while in certain phases of my illness -- but I've learned a good therapist realizes I am more than my mistakes. My current therapist makes it clear to me all the time I do the best I know how in the moment-- a bad moment doesn't make me a bad person.

3) Non-pharmacological interventions are helpful and should never be overlooked -- therapy, as well as at-home things.


This is really quite pertinent to ADHD and some other psychiatric disorders-- but all of them in a general sense. How many of us benefit from a routine? How many of us try to combat depression with non-pharmacological methods like being in the sun, or a small amount of dark chocolate a day? We have to take all our resources to best serve the patient's needs.



and the final consideration is that there are limited number of psychiatrists in the US (and I'm sure around the world) and this kind of relationship is hard to attain due to the sheer lack of numbers and amount of patients. The limitations are endless in a way, but I think if every doctor took the time to re-align themselves to this goal, the benefit would be astronomical as well.

[Burning Sage]

Windsthatblow - First, thank you for posting this. There was much that I resonated with. The one that impacted me the most was, 1) "This is close to my heart because over the years I have learned that psychiatric disorders describe the symptoms of the condition but not the genuine suffering of the condition." So so true in my own experiences. I have felt like a satistic rather a person. Internal suffering is so blind to people and why wouldn't be. They are not me. 👍 Post again!

[sarahsweets]

3) Non-pharmacological interventions are helpful and should never be overlooked -- therapy, as well as at-home things.

This is really quite pertinent to ADHD and some other psychiatric disorders-- but all of them in a general sense. How many of us benefit from a routine? How many of us try to combat depression with non-pharmacological methods like being in the sun, or a small amount of dark chocolate a day? We have to take all our resources to best serve the patient's needs.

This is the only part i kinda disagree with. Because things like adhd and something like bipolar are literally brain imbalances o feel that meds should be a first line treatment combined with the other things you mentioned.

[Breaking Dawn]

Thank you, WindsThatBlow, for sharing this. It's comforting to hear I have a chance to find a therapist who really understands.

[Brentus]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

3) Non-pharmacological interventions are helpful and should never be overlooked -- therapy, as well as at-home things.



This is the only part i kinda disagree with. Because things like adhd and something like bipolar are literally brain imbalances o feel that meds should be a first line treatment combined with the other things you mentioned.

I should clarify-- first line treatment is 100% medication for ADHD and Bipolar! I am with you on that one. The other things are supplements than can really help curb symptoms. They generally don't have the potency to combat moderate to severe symptoms.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by WindsThatBlow

I should clarify-- first line treatment is 100% medication for ADHD and Bipolar! I am with you on that one. The other things are supplements than can really help curb symptoms. They generally don't have the potency to combat moderate to severe symptoms.

WindsThatBlow, there is a very large amount of good stuff in your original post and the responses thus far. Like others, I thank you a lot for this thread!

Yes, I also agree that medication treatment is crucial for most with bipolar disorder (and unipolar depression). However, I also strongly agree that for most these "supplements" are the icing on the cake in recovery. There is no way on earth that I would be as stable as I am now by just taking medications. No way! It is the many things I've learned to do beyond meds that got me to this point. However, I also see clearly that we aren't all the same here. Not all of the same practices are helpful for all.

I admire that psychiatrist's words you quoted. It seems he has an insight that many don't. He clearly sees patients as humans and not just part of his business.

Something that went through my mind when reading this thread was the lack of support many with mental illness suffer. There are definitely aspects of being on disability that help, but also a certain isolation. And of course those with mental illness that trudge and struggle along at jobs and with huge family responsibilities also have a certain isolation, in my view. Support groups are limited in many ways, and sometimes hard to get to. How they're limited I could discuss quite a bit. Or at least limited for me.

Though not the majority, far too many with mental illness are shoved away in jails and prisons. Literally. And these places do the opposite in terms of support and recovery. Yet most of us don't find ourselves in literal jails, there's a certain form we do find ourselves in. Neither form is the right place for us.