# Why psychiatry is a scam **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 30, 2008, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225 "2008-10-30T08:38:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/101 "2008-10-31T21:13:45Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > **KGS** you say you don’t like labels, and don’t believe in mental “illness” because we’re all unique snowflakes with our own special ways of interpreting the world. Yep, you are absolutely 100% correct on that. Too bad most people don’t agree… > [@](#): > > Yet you want to keep the label of ASD rather than schizoaffective disorder? No, but I’m more “comfortable” with ASD than schizoaffective. Trust me, I’ve discussed this in depth with my (former, evil) shrink, we studied the current version of the DSM-IV and we both agreed that (a) I was never schizophrenic, ever – and (b) Asperger’s Syndrome is the “best fit” for what I’ve got. And I should point out that my (former, evil) shrink is considered one of the BEST in the L.A. area, although he’s moved out of town now. And he’s willing to admit that the DSM-IV is more of a blunt instrument than the Holy Bible, which makes him a better shrink than most. And yet…he’s still evil. He dumped my case without even telling me directly, the fucking bastard. (I called him today asking for one final session, just to attain “closure”, but I doubt he’ll respond.) > [@](#): > > Your CK probably went through the roof because you didn’t sleep for 9 days and dehydrated yourself to the point where your kidneys packed in and your muscles started to break down. You got a saline drip because you were dehydrated, not because it is a magical feel-good medicine. More or less, except they kept up the saline drip for nearly the whole 72 hours. The saline treatment was NOT just dehydration, it was to flush the “keytones” (sp?) from my body. Otherwise…why would they keep it up? Dehydration only requires 1-2 saline drips – I got dozens, constantly and continuously. (And believe me, I felt like a million bucks after the treatment was done!!) > [@](#): > > CK elevation is certainly NOT the “first indication of diabetes”. Not a first indicator, but a _possible_ indicator. Indeed, I’m relieved to know that my blood sugar levels were tested very closely and turned out to be normal – diabetes runs in my family, so yeah, it’s something I’m very, very concerned about. (This info comes straight from an ICU doctor I spoke with during my hospitalization.) > [@](#): > > BTW- you’re misinformed about how disimilar Olanzepine and Risperidone are. They are both atypical antipsychotics with almost identical side effects. I’ve got a BNF in front of me- the SE list for Olanzepine is actually longer and has more nasty things on it like QT prolongation, neutropaenia, thrombocytopaenia and thromboembolism. Wrong again, my dear. Risperidone is more closely related to the Thorazine / Navane / Haldol family. That’s why it can cause [Tardive Dyskinesia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardive_dyskinesia) whereas Zyprexa does not. BTW, I did take Zyprexa for over a year, and the only MAJOR side effect was that I couldn’t get high from smoking weed anymore. Which meant, the Black Abyss of Depression came back. Which meant, my (former, evil) shrink had the chance to play “Mad Scientist” and add an extra antidepressant to the list – we finally settled on [Serzone.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serzone) But it took several false starts and dead ends (including three secret suicide attempts – CURSE YOU, WELLBUTRIN!) to reach that point. After a year, I simply decided I didn’t need the medication anymore, and quit taking it (or “stepped down” – yes, I was careful.) I can even remember the point when my “mind” came back to what it used to be – thank goodness!! I missed myself! 😉 A few years later, Serzone was taken off the market due to it’s potential to cause “severe liver damage.” Nice, huh??? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/102 "2008-10-31T21:31:23Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I guess I should re-phrase…are you self-sustaining or are you on disability or living with your parents? For the record, I am currently disabled and “living off the government”, though I have worked sporadically since 1996. I’ve held down jobs in the past, but only for a few years – that’s part of my condition, I simply can’t get past that barrier where Routine becomes part of my everyday life, and my jobs tend to “crash and burn” in a severe manner. However, I do live independently, I can care for my everyday needs, although doing laundry or even checking the mail can be a major struggle. (I’m severely agoraphobic most of the time.) HOWEVER…there’s a silver lining to this recent Manic Event. I believe I made a major breakthrough – possibly the one that will allow me to fully recover and rejoin the world at large – which I have not yet had a chance to fully discuss with my Talk Therapist. (He’s having surgery this weekend.) But we’re going to be discussing this recent Manic Event for a long, long time, I suspect. I’m not 100% healthy yet, but already I’ve noticed _significant_ changes in the way I talk & connect with other people. The future is looking brighter than ever, and it’s not just because we’re on the verge of electing Barack Obama as President. 🆒 > [@](#): > > The reason I ask is that sometimes untreated bi-polar can make it really hard to maintain any semblance of independence. If you’re too delusional to hold down a job, you’ll be forever at the mercy of your parents and their calls to the police. Actually, I think my forced isolation (which has been a problem all my life) is not so much self-imposed, but _forced_ upon me by my immediate & extended family. They have ALWAYS assumed I was the “Crazy One”, which is why they have ignored my repeated phone calls & emails over the last few weeks. (And I’m not just talking “desperate” overtures – I sent a mass email to the family telling them I was writing again, the new novel is called _Nathaniel Apocalypse_ [working title] and I’d appreciate some personal anecdotes to help flesh out the story.) I sent the email to about 20 people (18 family, 2 friends) and guess what – aside from my NYC brother, I got ZERO replies. In fact, the two replies I got from my friends were far more helpful…and one friend turned out to be dead. Yes, I made a better connection with a dead friend than most living relatives. How fucked up is that??? ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/103 "2008-10-31T21:41:04Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > What do YOU think was the cause of your nine-day meltdown or whatever you wish to call it? There were two major causes: (1) The current economic crisis, especially the part when the Stock Market started SPIKING UP AND DOWN like the EKG of a patient suffering ventricular fibrilation. Seriously, I don’t think many people know just how serious that was – even economic experts were scratching their heads. Thankfully, since I have no routine to maintain, no IRA’s or 401K’s to worry about, or any dependent children to provide for, I was able to view the events of mid-October 2008 from a distance, and study Economic Theory to understand the fundamentals of what was going on. I know people are still concerned about the economy, but take my word for it, the Worst Part is over. What could have potentially happened – oh God, you don’t even want to know. (Which, by the way, was the inspiration for my new novel – the story is mostly about what COULD have happened, not what happened or is about to happen.) (2) **KGSMom** is in town, 'nuff said. (For those who don’t know, she is a fundamentalist Christian…however, she’s actually fairly _liberal_ for a fundie Xtian, and I’m convinced that her dogmatic attitude is mainly due to the fact that she has Major Issues, which she’s tried to ignore all her life, but right now I think she’s reached the point where she has no choice but to face them. (I hope.) > [@](#): > > But your TLDR comment was not necessary - it was a list of short statements that sort of summed up my thoughts in a blunt way - sort of the cliffnotes version. Sorry, but my eyes kinda glazed over when I started to read that part. I’ll try again, but I’d really like to get back to working on the novel now… > [@Dripping](#): > > IMO, this whole thread is triggering a very sick person into becoming even sicker…I hope the mods close it for the OP’s own good. Oh STFU and GTFO, newbie. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![drpepper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@drpepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drpepper)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/104 "2008-10-31T21:53:42Z")
Good Lord. The goggles, they do nothing. With 3800+ posts, how come this one hasn’t pinged my radar before now? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/105 "2008-10-31T22:37:38Z")
> [@drpepper](#): > > Good Lord. The goggles, they do nothing. With 3800+ posts, how come this one hasn’t pinged my radar before now? Had I to guess, his episodes aren’t frequent nor spectacular enough to warrant attention most of the time, so he mostly blends in. Anyway, a few weeks back I was at a small-scale science-fiction convention and had opportunity to suffer numerous Asperg-ish people who yammered on loudly while others were speaking and were general nuisances but for the most part weren’t being so intentionally. It’s made me honestly appreciate the value of politeness and silence during conversation. Meantime, KGS is in the trollish side of his cycle, where any comment is likely to generate a bout of personal attack, groundless condescension, forced attempts at humour laced with veiled or open insults, etc. so it’s likely best he’s left to calm down and slide back into relative obscurity. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/106 "2008-10-31T23:38:53Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > (1) The current economic crisis, especially the part when the Stock Market started SPIKING UP AND DOWN like the EKG of a patient suffering ventricular fibrilation. Seriously, I don’t think many people know just how serious that was – even economic experts were scratching their heads. Thankfully, since I have no routine to maintain, no IRA’s or 401K’s to worry about, or any dependent children to provide for, I was able to view the events of mid-October 2008 from a distance, and study Economic Theory to understand the fundamentals of what was going on. I know people are still concerned about the economy, but take my word for it, the Worst Part is over. What could have potentially happened – oh God, you don’t even want to know. (Which, by the way, was the inspiration for my new novel – the story is mostly about what COULD have happened, not what happened or is about to happen.) Let’s see: - Words Capitalized/ALL CAPs - Hints about hidden knowledge - Unique ability to understand the situation Dude, you’re really not helping your case. IMO, to an objective dispassionate reader, this isn’t a cause of a 9-day meltdown. I don’t wish you anything but good health and happiness, but it’s hard to take your words at face value. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/107 "2008-11-01T00:51:01Z")
Having to stay on psychiatric medication for life is no different than a diabetic having to take insulin for life, or any other number of medical conditions that are not curable. Back in the old days before mood-stabilizing medications such as lithium became available, people actually died from manic episodes due to sleep deprivation, dehydration, etc. like what you described. For the sake of people who care about you, you should at least give the medication a chance and talk to your doctor about it if you don’t feel it is helping you. If you find the side effects of one medication unacceptable, then ask for another one. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/108 "2008-11-01T00:51:31Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Had I to guess, his episodes aren’t frequent nor spectacular enough to warrant attention most of the time, so he mostly blends in. Thanks for the comment, Bryan…I’m not always sure how high on everyone’s radar I am, but the way you describe me is exactly where I want to be. (Oh, and equal thanks for your [#23,145 post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10381465&postcount=58) – the number itself is so significant (novel-wise) that I didn’t even notice your totally asinine comment.) 🆒 > [@Telemark](#): > > - Words Capitalized/ALL CAPs > - Hints about hidden knowledge > - Unique ability to understand the situation > > Dude, you’re really not helping your case. Hey man, the way I’m speaking here is _nothing_ like how I’ve been speaking to other people, what I’ve been writing in my journal, etc. I’m not joking when I say we may have avoided a Major Tribulation earlier this month. And I’m talking about the days _before_ my so-called “meltdown” began…(which kinda caught me by surprise, but Game Events are often like that…) Do you wanna hear more about this line of conversation? Because I’m game if you are! Let’s put it this way. When **KGSMom** came to town, at first she was utterly fascinated with me. She’s a Christian (and frankly, she’s far more liberal than most fundie Xtians I know) and she believes in [Joel 2:28-30](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=joel%202:28-30;&version=31;) – which just happens to be MY favorite Bible passage as well. (Mainly because it would make a GREAT refrain for a heavy metal song…) ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/109 "2008-11-01T01:55:11Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > In fact, the two replies I got from my friends were far more helpful…and one friend turned out to be dead. Wait.. WTF? Yea gods, I can see why they diagnosed you schizophrenic. Jesus Christ. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/110 "2008-11-01T02:07:58Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > Wait.. WTF? > > Yea gods, I can see why they diagnosed you schizophrenic. Jesus Christ. Oh, the dead friend? Well…yeah, that freaks people out when I say it like that. 🆒 But it’s really quite Reality-based, if you want to hear the full story. (For starters, when I emailed him, I assumed he was still alive – we hadn’t spoken in years, though.) ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/111 "2008-11-01T02:13:42Z")
[duplicate post…sorry] ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/112 "2008-11-01T02:31:39Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > Thanks for the comment, Bryan…I’m not always sure how high on everyone’s radar I am, but the way you describe me is exactly where I want to be. (Oh, and equal thanks for your [#23,145 post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10381465&postcount=58) – the number itself is so significant (novel-wise) that I didn’t even notice your totally asinine comment.) 🆒 The nature of your reply validates the comment, actually. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/113 "2008-11-01T02:38:48Z")
> [@KGS](#): > > > [@irishgirl](#): > > > > KGS you say you don’t like labels, and don’t believe in mental “illness” because we’re all unique snowflakes with our own special ways of interpreting the world. > > Yep, you are absolutely 100% correct on that. Too bad most people don’t agree… Mental illness doesn’t mean “different from the norm”, so I don’t see what unique snowflakes have to do with anything. All a mental illness is, is a set of thoughts or behaviors that interfere with one’s ability to lead their own everyday life. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/114 "2008-11-01T03:12:07Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > It is a scam though, isn’t it? To get money from the not-so-well adjusted? If there are specific psychiatric skills, would they not be better used being taught in the classroom? It’s been said, but yeah, there are specific psychiatric skills. That’s what people have to learn in \*Medical School \*when they do the psych portion. Psychology does not equal Psychiatry. Psychologists do not equal Psychiatrists. This thread has been really confusing because of the way the words have been thrown around (like “shrinks”- commonly used to refer to Psychologists, never really heard it for Psychiatrists). It just makes it a bit more confusing to follow the whole thing as it circles around. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/115 "2008-11-01T04:08:57Z")
> [@RoOsh](#): > > This thread has been really confusing because of the way the words have been thrown around (like “shrinks”- commonly used to refer to Psychologists, never really heard it for Psychiatrists). > > It just makes it a bit more confusing to follow the whole thing as it circles around. Well…I’ve always assumed the opposite, that “Shrink” = Psychiatrist. For purposes of this particular discussion, let’s define it that way and move on. For what it’s worth, a regular _psychologist_ (or any kind of therapist) can be just as dangerous, especially if you don’t have a major issue (they’ll give you one) and _especially_ if someone else chooses your therapist for you. It’s less of a trap, though, because all you need to do is find the right therapist who works for you. There are plenty of skilled, genuinely helpful therapists out there – but as for _psychiatrists_, I’ve yet to me a single one who does less harm than good. Not one! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/116 "2008-11-01T04:25:45Z")
Dude, may I reiterate, YOU ARE SERIOUSLY FUCKED UP?!?!? Bro, I always liked you and I hope you put aside your prejudices and get some fucking help. Yeah, it takes time to get the meds balanced and, unless you have that fatal drop of OCD like me, taking them everyday (at the same point in ones morning ablutions) is a chore, but NOT being crazy has a lot going for it. Try it. You’ll like it. (hopeful 🙂 ) ETA: Yeah, shrinks can hit you below the belt, but sometimes (like now) that can do you a lot of good. Below the belt is where you hide the imporant shit. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/117 "2008-11-01T13:39:39Z")
This is all very reminiscent of one person I tried to work with when I was on my internship and on the inpatient rotation. This person spent all their time railing against the evils of psychiatry and psychology and lambasting me for being a part of the whole system. My attempts at talking with this person resulted in these bulging-eyed, chased-from-the-room, rants. They even worked to foment a little band of resistance among some other folks there (which really did nothing more than make it hard for those folks to actually get much better than when they had come in). What was hardest about it all was trying to work with the person’s spouse and children. The spouse in particular was just fatigued trying to cope. The person had disappeared in the midst of a manic episode, had spent a ton of their money, and had been found after being holed up for a few days in a hotel room several hours away with a person 20 years younger. It was really all very sad, and very frustrating to try breaking through the waves of resistance and denial. ---
**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/118 "2008-11-01T16:54:54Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Dude, may I reiterate, YOU ARE SERIOUSLY FUCKED UP?!?!? Bro, I always liked you and I hope you put aside your prejudices and get some fucking help. Hey man, no need for worries, I’m still a cool guy and I’m just majorly pissed off and venting my frustration right now. Yes, I am prejudiced against psychiatry, but considering how psychiatry has treated me since birth (this Risperdone event is just the tip of the iceberg) I think I’ve earned the right to be prejudiced, ya know? I’ll shut up now if the consensus tells me too… > [@](#): > > ETA: Yeah, shrinks can hit you below the belt, but sometimes (like now) that can do you a lot of good. Below the belt is where you hide the imporant shit. “Below the Belt” is also where it hurts the most. And unless you have testicular cancer (or something symbolically related) then there’s no reason to stoop that low. BTW, my “former evil shrink” did call me back, to my surprise, and believe it or not, he agreed to a final meeting – and suggested we may remain connected afterwards, not as my psychiatrist but as a different type of professional acquaintence. Wow, that one surprised me. He must not be as “evil” as I assumed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/119 "2008-11-01T18:30:16Z")
Oh for fuck sake. Ketones are a byproduct of a body digesting it’s own muscles for energy- usually as a result of starvation and/or dehydration. You got saline to flush out the ketones CAUSED BY YOUR DEHYDRATION. Your doctor was misinformed about CK rises- they’re usually as a result of rhabdomyolysis or renal failure. A competent doctor checks everyone’s blood sugar who has an altered mental state- high or low blood sugar are common causes and a high CK would have nothing to do with it. Olanzepine is LESS likely to cause TD. It stilll causes it. It’s a FUCKING LISTED SIDE EFFECT of OLANZAPINE. [cite](http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/182/1/81-b) [cite](http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/156/10/1662) [cite](http://www.medicinenet.com/olanzapine/article.htm) [cite](http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002876.html) **KGS** - you’re not well. You have not been well for a long time and you do not seem to be getting better. It might be worthwhile to explore options of treatment you have previously dismissed. Arguing with you is pointless, but you’re spouting false information which needs countered, so I’m here fighting your ignorance and preventing it spreading. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225/120 "2008-11-01T23:03:33Z")
Try to reason with **KGB** at this point is like trying to reason with him while he is taking acid and mushrooms. It would be just as easy to reason with his pancreas. It’s not our fault for trying, but more importantly, it’s not his. This is what mental illness does to a human being. I can believe him when he says that the wrong medications at times have been very painful. Don’t fault him for tossing out those he was given recently because they didn’t make him “high.” He is not in full control of his judgment. He says that he lives off of the government. Do you doubt that his disability is real? The money that he has paid into social security is also for disabilities such as this. I’m not against the decriminalization of marijuana. But like alcohol, after the immediate high, it can be a depressant on the system. I was diagnosed with depression about 46 years ago. I know a few things about it. I am very fortunate that I am not bi-polar. Also, when SSRIs such as prozac came along, at last I had a medication that worked! I hope that **KGS** is able to find some level of stability and maintain it soon. I just wish he could believe in his own creativity in that state also. I wish you the best, **KGS**! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-psychiatry-is-a-scam/470225.md?page=7)