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Just to be clear, when I referred to the above mentioned dr. as a quack

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I do not feel that all doctors are quacks.

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ORIGINAL: Pink.

Some people have a hard time with the term "quack." I have used that term before and was just clarifying what I meant.

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I feel that if I'm not feeling well, mentally or physically, then I don't want to do anything. The people who tell us this do the same thing when they don't feel well, so why should they think that we be different?

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ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I think there's a fine line in not being able to do something and refusing to try to do something, i.e. go to work, do an activity, run errands, etc. I know plenty of people with chronic physical illness or permanent disability who would never dream of not attempting to lead a normal life every single day, regardless of how they feel or what kind of pain they're in or what kind of inconveniences they run up against.

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Also, if you have a physical illness, you get treatment. I know many people with diagnosed mental illness that refuse the treatments prescribed to them. That, to me, is irresponsible not only to the people themselves, but also their family members and others they come into contact with.

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ORIGINAL: Mollymouser

I think some lazy people use illness (physical and mental) as a handy excuse not to do what they don't want to do. I also think that some lazy people may be inclined to use a myriad of other excuses, too. This doesn't mean that everyone with a mental illness is lazy ~ but some are. And people without mental illness can be lazy, too.

If someone has accused another person of being lazy, I would hope that the accused and accuser could have a reasonable and civil conversation about why there is the perception of laziness (whether true or not.)

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Alternative Mental Health Treatments
About 15 years ago, I remember writing an article titled "Alternative Treatments for Mental Health! Right?!" Generally speaking, most people, especially the medical establishment, didn't take the subject matter seriously.

Today, the HealthyPlace Alternative Mental Health Community has over 300 pages of content on herbal treatments, vitamins, and complementary therapies to help treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder, depression, ADHD, anxiety and other mental illnesses. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports that 36% of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Through research, books, and yes, even personal anecdotes, what we've come to understand is that there is a place for alternative approaches to mental health treatment. Treatments such as self-help, diet and nutrition, stress reduction and art therapies all have a place in the healing process.

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ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I think there's a fine line in not being able to do something and refusing to try to do something, i.e. go to work, do an activity, run errands, etc. I know plenty of people with chronic physical illness or permanent disability who would never dream of not attempting to lead a normal life every single day, regardless of how they feel or what kind of pain they're in or what kind of inconveniences they run up against.

Also, if you have a physical illness, you get treatment. I know many people with diagnosed mental illness that refuse the treatments prescribed to them. That, to me, is irresponsible not only to the people themselves, but also their family members and others they come into contact with.

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ORIGINAL: stellaluna

There's a link right above your post that talks about alternative treatments that may be low-cost or free.

I figure if you can afford to get a diagnosis, you can figure out a way to get medication. Most SSRIs come in a generic formula, making them quite affordable. (I just checked prices on a whole bunch of different ones and the most expensive was $29.99 for 30 tablets.) Some of them are on the Walmart $4.00 plan, which anyone can afford. Some pharmaceutical companies offer discounts. When I didn't have insurance, my doctor would give me samples.

And finally, there is also a difference between truly not being able to afford treatment and refusing to be treated.

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ORIGINAL: KatieC52

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ORIGINAL: stellaluna

There's a link right above your post that talks about alternative treatments that may be low-cost or free.

I figure if you can afford to get a diagnosis, you can figure out a way to get medication. Most SSRIs come in a generic formula, making them quite affordable. (I just checked prices on a whole bunch of different ones and the most expensive was $29.99 for 30 tablets.) Some of them are on the Walmart $4.00 plan, which anyone can afford. Some pharmaceutical companies offer discounts. When I didn't have insurance, my doctor would give me samples.

And finally, there is also a difference between truly not being able to afford treatment and refusing to be treated.

ever consider that you could be figuring wrong? i cannot take SSRIs. i have tried several, with terrible results. as for discounts..that is a joke. i have never known anyone to get a huge discount on their meds. i had a shrink charge $300 out of pocket if you were uninsured. needless to say I cant afford that. i went to the local mental health clinic. they didnt treat anxiety. you had to be bipolar or schizophrenic or suicidal. there is little if any help available. i trust in God and wait.

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In order to stay on meds, one has to keep going to the doctor for refills.

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ORIGINAL: heremainsfaithful

Mental Illness does seem to be treated differently financially, even by insurance companies. If I had diabetes, every Dr. visit would be a twenty dollar copay, or my insurance would pay 90%. With mental illness, they pay 50%. If it's an illness (and it is), I really don't understand that. In order to stay on meds, one has to keep going to the doctor for refills. I'll be honest, I have as little patience with a mentally ill person who won't treat as much as anyone, but sometimes it is a catch 22. I think the real solution would be for mental illness to be seen as an.....illness - financially and in all other ways.