Hang in there!
One note of caution: remember that this is your challenge, you have the final say. I have more than one very close friend who went through the mental health system. Don't think of the doctors as knowing everything - a kind of new priesthood. They don't. I've heard their efforts to heal the mind compared to a man with a stone hammer trying to cut a beautiful diamond. They just don't know everything. The danger comes when they try to give authoratative guidance on issues they aren't 100% sure of- namely your life.
One close friend was on meds for 6 years, but the original diagnosis would completely change depending on who he saw and how he was currently acting! A new 'label'. Scary! One general M.D., open to the general public, even suggested that he may be a repressed homosexual. He made this 'professional diagnosis' after 5 minites, and threw my friend out after 10 upon finding out he actualy did have heterosexual preferences. His parting words- "I can't help you then."
Another guy I went to school with until recently was recommended for Cambridge university to do his masters in neuro-psycology, focusing on psyciatric drugs. He did a psychology/philosopy dual undergrad honors major- a smart dude. I was shocked last year when he told me he frequently had suicidal thoughts. He said there was no way he would tell a couselour or take antidepressants. He had already done interns at psychiatric hospitals and said the success rate, and drug knowledge, was so low that he would rather find another way to deal with.
In all these cases, anyone of these medical doctors has the power to institutinalize you for up to 7 days against your will. They can actualy call the police to enforce it.
I'm not trying to scare you. I'm trying to empower you. I guess what I'm trying to say is be careful, and believe inyourself. I really think that a wholistic (community, food, lifestyle, etc...) solution is best. Primarily because it is self-maintaining. Drugs and doctors can't live with you forever. Take care- J
P.S.- I'm just trying to help. Really. If this info is too upsetting for you, just forget it. Take care.
Edited by - happysunshine on 30 November 2002 19:15:4