Posted by Trans-Human on January 21, 2009, at 7:45:34
In reply to Re: Risk of sudden death? » Trans-Human, posted by yxibow on January 21, 2009, at 2:49:36
> And I feel my own constriction here on the board because I have to tiptoe around things on a "medication" board which really should, with a healthy skepticism I fully agree, be devoted to people's experiences with their medication, which of course is different for everyone who takes a particular one.
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> Instead I see an increasing amount of topics that should really be debated on the alternative board and a bit of what I have to say, whether my tongue is tied by civility or not, anti-psychiatry.
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> -- tidings
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> -- JayThanks for the reply & I do appreciate your views. Breggin is controversial. I have tried & am trying to get as much perspective & balance as I can around the wide issues concerning mental health.
What I have been posting is my experience with medication; but it seems that anything that differs from a predominantly pro orthodox psychiatric, & pro med viewpoint is treated with disgust & disdain by the majority on this board.
As you say - biological psychiatry reigns supreme & is the accepted norm for understanding MH experiences (rightly or wrongly - & wrongly in my opinion, & the opinion of many others). I have never found that the strictly orthodox bio chemical model provides a very satisfactory explanation in my case. I know that I am very outspoken about this; whatever site I go on I am often met with disagreement; which ranges from irritation to outright hostility, but far from all do disagree. I find myself appeasing the orthodox view, pandering to it, & I tip toe about myself.
If the orthodox bio-medical model is so established & in line with the truth - then it should have no trouble standing up to anything - the truth is not fragile. But here is the problem; there are certain flaws & glaring issues with a purely bio chemical model. When I reasonably point these out; in a rational way - the points I simply raise, are either not acknowledged, ignored or flatly denied. This would be OK if what I am raising is nonsense; but quite the contrary; after 12 odd years of seriously study, investigation & research; I talk about things which have taken a great deal of thought to conclude; things which are corroborated with evidence.
OK - the Bio-Chemical model has a place; & for some; it is maybe the best course of action to take meds. But this Biological basis; however much people want to believe in it - is NOT categorically proved, nor established; whatever way you dress it up or try to present it. It is wrong to speak about the biological basis to "illness" such as Schizophrenia" especially, & other conditions; in terms which are solely reliant on the scientific reductionist viewpoint & as having a cause as a sole & purely biological basis. All evidence would suggest that the truth to these conditions is contrary to the generally accepted orthodox view.
To my own mind & understanding; instead of certain "alternative" views being rubbished, ignored, denied, ridiculed, & seen as quackery; it is instead the primarily orthodox view which is in reality as such; & not having a sound basis for what they claim as fact. It is certain "alternative" views which have a far sounder explanation based on truth.
In my own experience; everything which has genuinely helped me has come from outside of the framework of orthodox psychiatry. In fact I have been damaged by the orthodox paradigm. Now this is my experience; & I fully acknowledge that experience is different for everyone. Many seem satisfied with the orthodox. Many as well, however are not.
Primarily I put my "Difficulties" down to multiple causes; primarily from certain life circumstances & issues, certain psychological processes; & other things. I think that a biological cause had very little to do with anything; yes; there have been aspects of altered brain chemistry; & certain genetic influences - but not; to my understanding; as primary cause. & yet what has been the treatment? Sections; forced treatment in the form of very powerful mind altering drugs; & a denial of any factors outside of the very narrow perception that everything I have I experienced has been the result of genetics & brain chemistry. Such a paradigm in relation to my treatment has been neither effective nor true.
& what has the result been? I'm dependant on meds. & consider that I have been severely damaged by 20 years at the hands of orthodox psychiatry.
Fine if people choose such treatments - I didn't; it was against my will. It constitutes an infringement of human rights. There should be an end to forced treatment; & a freedom for people to choose appropriate treatments for themselves. I think we are living in the dark ages as far as MH treatments are concerned; & if they human race survives; I think they will look back on these times; as we look back at treatments & asylums of the 17 & 1800's - as being barbaric & ineffectual.
I have considered not posting on this site any more. It appears to be predominantly fixated with promoting & extolling the bio-chemical model as god; at the exclusion of any intelligent discussion about any other factors, research & valid perceptions in the field of mental health. I think that taking this very fixed Bio-Medical perspective, at the exclusion of taking anything else into consideration; is skewed, unbalanced, & frankly dangerous; & constitutes extreme harm for many people. But such is the general consensus for so many on this uncivilised planet.
I would have personally thought that a med board would be the place that people could honestly & rationaly debate & acknowledge ALL the different angles & perspectives to the issues of mental health in relation to chemical interventions - obviously not.
Despite some people here being intelligent; & there being a few good people who post here. In general there is a very fixed & narrow agenda at work on this site; & it feels very wrong.
I hope what I have written can be acknowledged & respected as being a valid & intelligent position based upon awareness of the facts - but like most of what I have posted here - I very much doubt it will be taken that way.
poster:Trans-Human
thread:874659
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/875260.html