tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post115843269192296604..comments2024-03-18T03:28:36.581-04:00Comments on Shrink Rap: Unnecessary ConsultationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158890186147298722006-09-21T21:56:00.000-04:002006-09-21T21:56:00.000-04:00Flea writes provocative posts (hey, he's a Yankees...Flea writes provocative posts (hey, he's a Yankees fan, oh I just won't go there)---the whole point is to provoke, he does it so well. Plus, I don't think he pays much attention to us shrink rappers.<BR/><BR/>Flea as blog star??? He doesn't get a third of the attention of Fat Doctor--our lovely Oprah Winfrey of blog-o-land (see, I know a tiny bit about pop culture).Dinahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227988351623862689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158801580432307842006-09-20T21:19:00.000-04:002006-09-20T21:19:00.000-04:00Dang, woman, you got some major guts messing with ...Dang, woman, you got some major guts messing with the Flea! He's a blog star way out in the atmosphere, too far away for me to ever reach. <BR/><BR/>I agree about the irritation of people coming in saying "my neighbor says I need an MRI for my back pain" (my version of your bipolar patient). <BR/><BR/>Sometimes I refer to a specialist knowing that they will reassure the patient that I was correct in my assessment or plan. Some patients just need to hear it from a "specialist." Usually I send the consultant a "heads up" email or note that the patient is coming and I outline what I told the patient I thought the problem was. <BR/><BR/>Consultants appreciate knowing that I know that the patients are unreasonable. They also appreciate the money. <BR/><BR/>I get referrals from them when their patients need primary care. It's all good.Fat Doctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09672076019531106668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158719922237455222006-09-19T22:38:00.000-04:002006-09-19T22:38:00.000-04:00It's ok molly! And thanks. Thanks too, Dinah.I a...It's ok molly! And thanks. Thanks too, Dinah.<BR/><BR/>I actually wasn't thinking that you were directing anything you said, Dinah, to me, it's just a trend I've noticed amongst the two mental health professionals I see, and from several places around the web.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry if I came across defensive; what I really meant to do was say HEY, this is something I've noticed, and can I sort of debate the other side of the issue, without it being me taking what you said as being personally about me.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I hope I've clarified a little. It's nice to come out of my shell a bit and get a little intellectual, or even if not that, just adult "conversation" and stuff, if you will.<BR/><BR/>I wasn't hurt or anything by what you said, nor did I think it was directed at me; I just sort of felt like it's a thing I wanted to point out a different angle.<BR/><BR/>Sorry to go on! I like most of your posts, and the kind of stuff you have to say; you express your point of view pretty well, and I enjoy reading that.Sarebearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09208596053319110470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158702973926373602006-09-19T17:56:00.000-04:002006-09-19T17:56:00.000-04:00Sarebear, you said;After 20 years, TWENTY YEARS, o...Sarebear, you said;<BR/><BR/>After 20 years, TWENTY YEARS, of wondering what the hell was wrong with me, and why did I keep failing, no matter how hard I tried, and put EVERYTHING into, well, can ya blame me for wondering if there was something going on, ie<BR/><BR/>******<BR/><BR/>I have your back on this one. Same thing, only not quite 20 years. OK, so maybe I don't have full fledged borderline personality disorder, but many of the "characteristics." Thanks. I am glad to know that because my gut said that there had to be more than MDD going on, something more fundamental, foundational if you will.<BR/><BR/>One psychiatrist told me he felt that "labels weren't helpful." Hmm I wonder what would happen if one heard that line from a cardiologist or oncologist?<BR/><BR/>Now I know about DBT. I wouldn't have without the DX.<BR/><BR/>Rant over. Besides I know that this blog is for psychiatrists and not mental patients, so I think I'll shut my piehole (or shoulld I say benzo hole) now.DrivingMissMollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11476761316928942301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158702930784945402006-09-19T17:55:00.000-04:002006-09-19T17:55:00.000-04:00I don't think teachers should make medication reco...I don't think teachers should make medication recommendations, however I find the concept of making it illegal to converse an interesting one.<BR/><BR/>My reference to personal responsibility and the longing for a psychiatric diagnosis was a direct hit upon my friend, Roy, who likes to talk about his "ADD". <BR/>He's made of tough stuff and can tolerate my affectionate ribbing.Dinahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227988351623862689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158702529443090492006-09-19T17:48:00.000-04:002006-09-19T17:48:00.000-04:00I spent one glorious year teaching precious Spanis...I spent one glorious year teaching precious Spanish speaking 3rd graders. We had a questionnaire that both the teacher and parent filled out if we had "concerns" about the child. The school counselors then looked at it. Then we were to only "suggest" to the parent that they might want to visit the pediatrician. This is in Texas. We were clearly told that only a physician could diagnose ADD and not to mention it directly.<BR/><BR/>I predict that because of insurance getting more and more expensive and paying for less and less treatment, there will be much more questioning of physicians and their treatment and testing recommendations.<BR/><BR/>I do not, however, understand a person listening to a daycare worker.<BR/><BR/>There is no way for us to learn everything regardless of how smart we are or think we are. We have to rely on professionals every day, from our hair-stylist to our attorney to our doctor.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, any profession where one deals with the public will open one to dealing with the less than intelligent.DrivingMissMollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11476761316928942301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158701951346020412006-09-19T17:39:00.000-04:002006-09-19T17:39:00.000-04:00"Others long for a diagnosis, an explanation that ..."Others long for a diagnosis, an explanation that absolves them of responsibility and that might even be something easily cured."<BR/><BR/>This quote rather gets my goat.<BR/><BR/>After 20 years, TWENTY YEARS, of wondering what the hell was wrong with me, and why did I keep failing, no matter how hard I tried, and put EVERYTHING into, well, can ya blame me for wondering if there was something going on, ie, a diagnosis, that would help me understand that I was a runner in a race, but I had no shoelaces, and didn't even know there was such a thing and that I was missing them? A runner in such a state is going to keep stumbling no matter how hard they try . . . <BR/><BR/>Can you blame me for wondering? That 20 years of continuing to get back up again and keep trying, I think, would be a good argument against this kind of . . . er, attitude or thinking that I've come across in different ways from both my ologist and my iatrist . . .<BR/><BR/>It's like for those twenty years, I was bashing up against an invisible wall, but I'd get up again and run at it from a different angle . . . the diagnosis FINALLY, serving as though someone had thrown paint on the wall, and I now know WHAT it is that has been interfering with me my whole life . . . <BR/><BR/>I don't think this diagnosis serves as an explanation that absolves me of responsibility, but when one has tried as hard as I have, and still struggled and fallen, it, well, when one HAS done everything one could do, THAT, itself, is what kind of takes any "fault" away from the situation, the stumble, the fall; that I've tried as hard as I can. Now, without the diagnoses, I would still be thinking it was ALL ME, and that I must therefore be extremely defective in character, among other ways . . . .<BR/><BR/>And, while I know there's not many easy cures for much of anything, the hope of some kind of a cure, even if unrealistic, is that something to be so ridiculed? Can you BLAME me that after 20 years of struggle . . . 20 years of finding each and every minutely and excruciatingly painful way that I was, I thought, insufficient to this challenge called life, that I might have some kind of a silly hope for an end to that that did NOT involve self-harm?<BR/><BR/>Sorry! I am not railing at YOU, personally, well, I guess it seems so, but rather, this attitude/way of thinking that seems to be so prevalent . . .<BR/><BR/>I want any diagnoses that I have so I can UNDERSTAND what is going on with me, and WORK with it, around it, whatever, better . . . as my ologist puts it, I want a sense of mastery, a sense of self-mastery, too, about the issue.Sarebearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09208596053319110470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26666124.post-1158673929465738722006-09-19T09:52:00.000-04:002006-09-19T09:52:00.000-04:00Certainly, the availability of information on the ...Certainly, the availability of information on the Internet has not helped with the issue Flea described. I know I am guilty of saying, "But I read...." But then I did that before Internet access became so ubiquitous.<BR/><BR/>I recall that in my early twenties I went to the library reference desk, handed them my license as required, and borrowed a DSM because I was curious.<BR/><BR/>Could it be an issue of respect for Flea? Shouldn't someone who is his patient's parent have enough trust in him to not seriously entertain the opinions of others, especially, non-physician or medically trained others, but to defer to the physician they know and who knows them?<BR/><BR/>I will say this for my PCP. He is not comfortable prescrobing psychotropic drugs and is not afraid to say it. He told me that and referred me to a bonafide shrink---but, my new insurance has a $1000 in network deductible and $2000 out of network deductibe to see the psychiatrist and this is a problem for me, a heartbreaking problem. I know I need help, but can't afford it long term so I have thought of going back to my PCP and presenting the dilemma to him. I am impresed, however, that he knows his limitations and refers to a psychiatrist. It seems that too many GPs are treating psychiatric issues, many times inappropraitely, but what do you do when TV commercials make it seem that popping a Paxil or Effexor is like candy?<BR/><BR/>I have never heard of "impaired insight" until now. I think I'll look it up!<BR/><BR/>I might be headed for the hospital anyway.DrivingMissMollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11476761316928942301noreply@blogger.com