And I always thought that the brits were so “progressive”.   What happened there?

I guess `progressive’, in this case, must merely mean that one has more awareness of the world at large, with no adequate means to cope with what he’s become aware of.  

does the funding issue that you’re referring to vary from state to state?  

jon

While the VA did learn a lot from the Vietnam vets and medical science has progressed over the years, a patient’s treatment is still influenced by the patient. One saving grace may be that the VA has a $25,000 income cap for non-senior citizens or the
non-disabled (as far as I know).

As for me being informed, I think I am — but I’m no professional with the power or desire to self-medicate. My last visit I suggested dropping one med, but instead had the dosage increased. Argh…! I’ll see what happens.

This is one of my pet peeves about the professionals I get to see: most haven’t experienced what I have, physically or mentally or treatment-wise. Your daughter was very fortunate.

jon

I also know that many times social workers and counselors are those who were traumatized as children and want to do whatever they can to prevent the same in another child’s life.   I was thinking more along those lines rather than actual depression.

I have a good friend who is a counselor and did have a turbulent period of depression in his life several years ago.   He confided in me that he’d love to be in counseling himself, but he was fearful that it would ruin his career.

I think I’m conceding that you may be right about professionals and their knowing firsthand about depression.

The VA docs?   SURELY they wouldn’t ask a returning 21 year-old, fresh from the desert, “What do you want?”   Surely they simply know by now that you are informed and have your stuff together enough to suggest what to try. Asking that question to shell-shocked young vets is like offering them a land mine park for R&R.

As for the VA and meds, in an appointment yesterday I was asked again, “What do you want to do?” In other words, what drugs to take, what therapy to pursue, etc. My answer was a simple, “You’re the professional, what do you think I should do?” For some vets, it’s amazing the narcotics they ask for and get.

If there are counselors of any ilk that have suffered from depression, I’ve never met one. Perhaps my ten or twenty contacts have been unusual. I do know of many in various specialties — like asthma, child abuse, drug or alcohol abuse, STDs, or weight loss — because of their own problems. Overall, though, I think many get into various professions because of some fascination with the specialty (gynecology comes to mind…).

jon

Your best argument is that VA physicians would surely like to see you on your way and perking along again.  They have nothing to gain by hooking you on meds to keep you coming back.  I have a feeling they’ll have their hands full with returning troops from the Iraqi war.

I DO feel, though, that some counselors HAVE suffered from depression and perhaps other traumatic events.  I believe one reason some mental health professionals go into the field is to help those who are suffering, to participate in the process of lifting others out of the quicksand  where they themselves were trapped at one time.

As you pointed out, in EVERY profession are the charlatans, out for their own gain at the expense of others.

You may be convinced there’s a “better way”, but who’s to judge if that “better way”, for that person and THEIR depression, doesn’t include the things you don’t like or agree with? The “better way” is probably several things at the same time (things that will probably change over time). To me, the whole point of these discussions (in BOTH of the depression polls) seem to be treating, improving or eliminating the depression. And that means doing whatever you think it takes to lift yourself out of the depression.

I’m reminded of the joke about the blon…er, woman facing financial problems who asks God to let her win the lottery. But come the next drawing, she doesn’t win and loses her car. So she pleads harder, but once again she doesn’t win and loses her house. Desparate, she describes to God how financial ruin has crippled her career, made her kids go hungry, and battered her self esteem. “Could I please win the lottery?” she asks again. Suddenly, a Voice from above answers, “Look, work with Me on this. Go buy a ticket!” In other words, ya gotta do whatever it takes…

I tend to agree with you that psychologists and psychiatrists (and yes, many other professions) have a vested interest in keeping a patient as a paying customer. However, since most VA services are free and there is a large demand on their time, I tend to think VA professionals would rather get rid of me by treating me successfully.

No, I don’t think you’re against me and I think Frued was obsessed with sex. I also think most mental health professionals don’t know from personal experience what depression is, which to me hampers their effectiveness. I’m just trying to do whatever (meds, therapy, education, attitude adjustments, etc.) it takes to get out of this rut.

jon

Once again, I have not suggested that the short term use of such devices is unnecessary.  I am merely convinced that there is a better way.  One that is better for one’s mind, soul and body.  As the site indicates, there are issues of damage to organs, especially to the heart and liver which are not halted by the artificial aversion of symptoms and have played a role in leading the body and mind into a worse state of ‘depression’.

Above all of this, I disapprove of the majority of psychologists and psychiatry itself.   I sincerely feel that MOST have no intention of legitimately fixing the problem, but instead of keeping a person only feeling good enough to think the Dr. is effective, but not good enough to be independent from him.  You may have thought that in all this that I am against you.  But in this particular case, if I win, you win.