I could write a novel about this, but professionally I have to be careful how far I tread into this discussion.
In my view mental illness is not dealt with well in our society. In blunt terms, the public system is a joke. There are many and varied reasons for this, but in my view the outcome is still the same - a joke. The private system is not necessarily any better. The way psychiatry is moving there will be a DSM-IV diagnosis for every individual who sheds a tear soon.
Depression is often diagnosed incorrectly, and not treated adequately. Some GPs are too eager to do nothing, others are too eager to prescribe pills. Many don't seem too eager to refer you to a specialist. And many patients don't seem too eager to go when they are referred. And not all psychiatrists are created equal either. Nor are psychologists. Counsellors should have no role in mental illness. Fine if you're having a bad moment in life, but they should not be involved in a real genuine medical illness.
And don't get me started on the people who milk stress/depression/anxiety/somatoform/fibromyalgia/chronic pain syndrome/chronic fatigue syndrome/multiple chemical sensitivity claims out of insurance companies. For every genuine claim, I definitely have my own views that I cannot share here on how many are not genuine. And that makes it worse for those who genuinely do have an illness that they are struggling with.
In some ways the "get over it" attitude is the best thing that you can do. But too many people don't want to take responsibility for that. That can be due to their illness, but sometimes it's just down to their personality. Having a f***ed up personality is not a mental illness. Remember that.
For those that really truly do have a mental illness, forget the public system. Get a GOOD psychiatrist and GOOD clinical psychologist. Forget your GP. No offence to the GPs, but most are overworked, under resourced and this is NOT their area of expertise.
"You, Madboy, are the Uncooked Pork Sausage of Sausage Beasts. With extra herbs."
- Jim2 c2006
Bookmarks