![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by xbunny2007 on February 25, 2007, at 17:26:17
In my last meeting with my psychiatrist, he asked me this question, "if we can remove the symptoms like you want what will you replace them with?". Its such a loaded question and completely messing with my head. I feel totally screwed, I've been off meds for 5 months or something and am beginning to go quite loopy but I just havent a damn clue what to do about it. The concept that I have a need for these symptoms is repulsive and really makes me uncomfortable. This psychiatrist certainly is an interesting guy and he seems to be serious about helping me but I sure hope he knows what he doing. He told to look at lamactil, I dont see why to be honest. I wish he would come clean with what he is thinking or at least be less cryptic. :-(
Whats your opinion on the question? have you ever been asked that?Bunny
Posted by Declan on February 25, 2007, at 17:51:04
In reply to replace symptoms with what?, posted by xbunny2007 on February 25, 2007, at 17:26:17
Could he be trying to think of what the best drug for you is?
The side effects of the drug then become what replaces your symptoms?
Other than that, all I can think of is that the question is very hypothetical.
Posted by Phillipa on February 25, 2007, at 21:08:22
In reply to replace symptoms with what?, posted by xbunny2007 on February 25, 2007, at 17:26:17
Well I can't say feeling normal aren't you schizophrenic? My apolgies if uncorrect. The only comparison I have is what I felt like before depression/anxiety and this was high functioning and enjoying my nursing and being comfortable within my skin. I called it happy and content. Love Phillipa But is that what normal is? I don't know anyone know?
Posted by med_empowered on February 25, 2007, at 21:45:27
In reply to Re: replace symptoms with what?, posted by Phillipa on February 25, 2007, at 21:08:22
maybe its trying to get you to look at your life as a whole, and not just your isolated symptoms.
So...say you're apathetic. What would you replace that with? Some sort of activity? What activities?
Or maybe you're hearing voices...if you could erase the psychotic experience, what would you be doing instead? Or what would you be willing to put in the place of the psychosis?
This is really all I could think of.
Posted by xbunny2007 on February 26, 2007, at 1:32:34
In reply to Re: replace symptoms with what?, posted by med_empowered on February 25, 2007, at 21:45:27
> maybe its trying to get you to look at your life as a whole, and not just your isolated symptoms.
>
> So...say you're apathetic. What would you replace that with? Some sort of activity? What activities?
>
> Or maybe you're hearing voices...if you could erase the psychotic experience, what would you be doing instead? Or what would you be willing to put in the place of the psychosis?
>
> This is really all I could think of.I think this is a good and rational interpretation. The apathy example is quite close to home. My problem is that if for example Im apathetic, aimless and nihilist, how on earth am I supposed to know what I would do if I wasnt that way, I guess maybe its unrealistic to expect that if one wasnt that way things would just naturally resolve into something better. My psychiatrist gave me the example of an alcoholic, you dry him out and hes great, he gets home, climbs the walls and starts drinking again. In short he needs alcohol, unless whatever drives him to drink is fixed then he will keep drinking, drinking is not his problem its whatever drives him to drink that is. This could relate to me, no matter what meds I have taken I always slip back into the way I am (however that way doesnt enhance my life as far as I can tell), I know my psychiatrist has decided enough is enough and that continually trying increasing doses or yet more trials of different medications is going no-where. Deep down I do think the answer to the question he asked me ("if your symptoms are removed what would you replace them with") is "something even nastier", I dont really know why I think that is so and it bothers me greatly :-(
Also it leaves me baffled as to treatment, if no matter what meds I take I will end up sick again after sometime because I am doing it to myself somehow then is there any point taking any? I have already had therapy and found it even more ineffective.Bunny
Posted by med_empowered on February 26, 2007, at 2:31:49
In reply to Re: replace symptoms with what?, posted by xbunny2007 on February 26, 2007, at 1:32:34
don't despair. Maybe the trick is to formulate a long-term plan for yourself and then re-interpret your problems (like apathy or voices or...whatever) as "bumps in the road," to be overcome, instead of as "illness" or "symptoms". See what I'm saying? This isn't really about blame. If you can re-conceptualize your problems as just that--problems, not diseases--maybe then you'll be able to overcome them.
I dont think it matter if you are somehow doing this to yourself or if its a brain issue or what--the point may just be to work on your life itself and see how your issues resolve. Personally, I've had psychiatric "issues" in the past and I'm doing better off meds than I was on. For me, a breakthrough came when I was bitching about stuff and my friend said "well, you spend all your time being bipolar"
Then it hit me: my time was occupied by my problems. I had gotten into the situation where my issues dominated all of my existence and, outside of being a "mental patient," I really wasn't doing anything. So I had to start thinking about life outside my problems, a process which is still ongoing.
Think of it like this: in sociology, they talk a lot about the "sick role". In the "sick role," one is relieved of obligations, but an extended "sick role" situation also takes away your status as a normal, functioning person in society. A psychiatric patient who is medicated often assumes the "sick role" for a long time, possibly a lifetime. I think you were in the "sick role," and possibly still are; I know I was. Now, you have to think beyond your old role and into a future where you are out of the "sick role"--basically, where you get to stop being a psychiatric patient, and start living a more or less normal life. Its a tremendous opportunity, but also a rough transition (I'm still working on it myself).So..that's what I have. Also, I think sometimes the key to dealing with problems isn't to delve into them, label them, and then "treat" them--rather, sometimes the best approach may be to notice them, accept them, and keep on going.
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.