Seeing mental illness everywhere

[Jules A]

It seems like I see characteristics of mental illness everywhere. Maybe its because in our line of work we are geared toward assessing people's behaviors? My patient's parents for example, who as we all know are often in bad shape themselves, but OMG even on the message boards there are times when I'm thinking to myself: "ewww weee I can think of a few meds that might help you with that off the wall thinking/coping pattern". :uhoh21:

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

a couple Valiums will sure make one oblivious to what is going on....and numb one's feelings....

but then it wears off and the pain is back again

[zenman]

I see more stupidity than mental illness...

[Atheos]

but then it wears off and the pain is back again

Which is why people become addicts.

I see a LOT of mental illness. Granted, I'm no doctor, but I do have a psych history and I can people with psych issues vs. regular people pretty easily.

However, I do think a lot of the 'mental illness' is undiagnosable because it doesn't affect that person's life.

Our MDS is so OCD it is ridiculous. It doesn't affect his life though. He cleans a lot and likes numbers. He has managed to make his illness work for him. Unfortunately, he comes from a culture that doesn't 'believe' in mental illness.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

maybe one difference between having a mental illness and not having one is whether the symptoms prevent a happy life or not....

[Atheos]

maybe one difference between having a mental illness and not having one is whether the symptoms prevent a happy life or not....

What does happy mean?

I don't think it is drawn between happy and sad.

I think it's drawn between hard and easy.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think only the individual can define happy for him or herself

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Taking meds for mental problems is actually still a stigma in some quarters, but much less of one than before. Attitudes are changing.

I do believe that these meds are being handed out too quickly by family doctors without the patients being seen by psychological specialists. To me that would be akin to a GP putting someone on amiodorone without them being seen by a cardiologist.

[aloevera]

but then it wears off and the pain is back again

and you take another one, hence addiction.....when in the beginning one should have dealt with their loss/tragedy/ as a natural part of life....

it is OK to be depressed/sad/angry/ for a short period of time, it is only when one has long term depression that a dx. and treatment are needed and even then it is difficult to decide....a vicious circle....

I see mentall illness as a dx. when one cannot function in every day life, IE: keep a job, take care of themselves, family, etc.

NOT just because one is not happy......

we make our own happiness, it does not come from a pill.....

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

agreed---pills can not make a person happy

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

Our society, in general, relies on pills too much. The pharmaceutical companies have a lot to do with that.

When I was a girl, drug companies weren't allowed to advertise prescription drugs on TV. I think that was ethically proper. It disturbs me to see ads encouraging patients to 'ask your doctor' for this or that drug.

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Our society, in general, relies on pills too much. The pharmaceutical companies have a lot to do with that.

It disturbs me to see ads encouraging patients to 'ask your doctor' for this or that drug.

It also disturbs me when the pharmaceutical companies blow big bucks on hosting dinners, lunches, etc to promote their products to physicians, nurses, etc. Who's paying for it? Patients who can barely afford their medications. I've gotten to the point that I feel guilty if I even participate in a drug rep sponsored (fancy) lunch or dinner.

I work in oncology, so many of the new drugs that are rolled out cost thousands to a patient, many who are already strapped for cash because they have a serious illness.

Don't get me started....

[aloevera]

It also disturbs me when the pharmaceutical companies blow big bucks on hosting dinners, lunches, etc to promote their products to physicians, nurses, etc. Who's paying for it? Patients who can barely afford their medications. I've gotten to the point that I feel guilty if I even participate in a drug rep sponsored (fancy) lunch or dinner.

I work in oncology, so many of the new drugs that are rolled out cost thousands to a patient, many who are already strapped for cash because they have a serious illness.

Don't get me started....

How about the gifts given to Docs by the pharmaceutical co.'s so they will prescribe their drugs??? Years ago gifts were quite large...condos, yachts, etc......I think they have tried to put a halt to the excessive giving now...