Have you ever wondered if your medication is causing some of your problems? Do they make you feel worse? If so, you'd probably benefit from reading psychiatrist Peter Breggin's book, "Why your Drug May be Your Problem: how and why to stop taking psychiatric medicine." So many of ...
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Rosebud
Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:38 PMre: comment
Stephen Schlotterer
Monday, July 21, 2008 at 05:45 PMWell thank you for your feedback! I understand you may think your medications are helping you function, but how can you be sure your symptoms haven't disappeared while you're taking drugs? It may be the case that you have a true, pathological brain disease, but I encourage you to consider the alternative possibility that you may have had a spiritual emergency. If you're curious, and want to learn more, then please read Dr. Stanislov Grof (M.D., Phd)'s book, "Spiritual Emergency." You may indeed be having only a psychospiritual problem which does not require a lifelong treatment of toxic medications. If you ever do decide to stop taking your meds, then I recommend you read Breggin's book about how to do that safely. Psychiatric drugs can be most dangerous when trying to withdraw them from your system...
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Rosebud
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 01:47 PMBottom line .... I'm in a much better place today taking medication then I was this time last year. At the end of most days I can go to bed feeling healthy, happy and stable and you know, that works for me. So, you can put your message out there that medication may not be the answer for everyone and that there are other alternatives, but leave it at that. Don't try to talk people out of taking medication under the pretense, "hey, try it and see what happens to you...."
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Stephen Schlotterer
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 at 01:49 PMGiven what I've read from many authoritative sources, these medications are dangerous, so I always encourage people to experiment life without them. That may not work for you, but it's working for a lot of people.
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Good points. You write very eloquently, and I appreciate the way you addressed both sides of the issue. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year following a suicide attempt. I was placed on mood stabilizing drugs which did not help my depression and subsequently I attempted suicide again. My doctor added an antidepressant to the mix and the combination has had a tremendously positive affect for me. You see, without the medication I cannot control my bipolar symptoms: racing thoughts, severe mood swings, suicidal tendencies, OCD, etc.
I think what it all boils down to is that you first, you have to know yourself; second you have to understand your medication - when and why you take it, as well as the side effects and long term effects. Last, you need to deal with a psychiatrist that you trust. She/he should be someone who respects you and someone you want to see, and most importantly they should be someone who hears what you say not just listens because sometimes picking up on things you don't say is important too.
Medicine may not be for everyone, but for some it is a life saver.
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