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Stigma [2008-02-07]
Interesting article. I agree there I saw it while working in an orthopaedist A nurse You would think someone in the medical field, even though not in psychiatry, would be more knowledgable. She was a moron. I think the mentally ill are sometimes marginalized in society. Change takes time and happens slowly. Thanks for sharing.
Mental Health - stigma [2008-01-20]
I just found this article, and although it concerns schizophrenia, it covers any mental illness and the stigma attached:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=7517#pagetop
Mental health parity [2007-11-29]
We need your help to support these proposed changes to Medicare: Contact your Senators today and urge them to contact Senate Finance Committee leaders Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) to advocate for improving the Medicare package.
Tell them that we NEED PARITY for cost sharing for outpatient mental illness treatment; improvements to Medicare Part D to include a broad coverage of medications to treat mental illness, including benzodiazepines, and a moratorium on regulations on the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option.
Go here, it http://capwiz.com/nami/issues/alert/?alertid=10587836type=CO
=======================Also:
Millions of Americans with mental disorders do not have equal access to health insurance. Many health plans discriminate against these people by limiting mental health and substance abuse healthcare by imposing lower day and visit limits, higher co-payments and deductibles and lower annual and lifetime spending caps.
Mental Health America and is local and state affiliates support comprehensive health insurance parity legislation, which would ban these practices by requiring the SAME health insurance coverage for mental disorders as physical disorders.
Above copied from: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity
My own mental health issues. [2007-08-18]
Short background. I am 32 years old. I am married, have 2 kids ages 5 and 2 and work FT.
Is this a mental health issue when a person appears to be spaced out. What is happening is that I will have a conversation with someone and when the conversation is over and already started on the next one, my mind doesn’t really shut down and I will be still thinking about what was said in the previous conversation that I don’t hear what was said in the next. I don’t know if that makes sense or not. Or another example, I will be thinking of something like what I want to do, about a previous conversation I had and someone will call me and I will be so deep in thought I cannot hear the person calling. I do this daily. I have been bad about this all my life but when something is bothering me it is 100% worse. It always affected my schoolwork and it also affects my job and relationships. I try to control myself but I have failed. Mom thinks I am have epileptic seizures and needs to see a neurologist. I don’t think it is seizures.
Also, I think I must be suffering some kind of mental health issue where I will just be sitting and all of the sudden I will get so mad. No one has said or done anything to provoke it, but I will start thinking about something and get so mad, start rubbing my head and get the urge to kick something hard or toss something across the room or scream at the top of my lungs.
Lately, people say I perceive things wrong. Mom says she is worried about the safety of my kids because of this that I described and told me I needed to get some sort of help. I accused her of calling me unfit. She said no, she thinks there is a short circuit somewhere. Then I said oh so I am crazy, she said no your getting it all wrong. Right now I cannot speak to mom without getting into an argument and a huge meltdown on my part.
To tell the truth I have been worried too. 10 years ago, I was never this way. I have always been spacey but this anger is new. Use to if I had a bad run-in with someone, for example, I would think oh well tomorrow is another day, no big deal. Now, I will dwell on it and dwell on it until I just want to yank that persons hair out or kick them in the face of whatever. (I haven’t yet gotten physical with anyone yet). I don’t understand what has gotten into me. When my kids cross me when I am having one of these episodes, I have managed to just go to another room, count to 10 but there has been a few times I have screamed at them from the top of my lungs and then later think “oh crap” that was unnecessary. I secretly worry about my kids too.
I called my PCP and I have an appointment set up for Monday. I sure hope she can help. Maybe this is just a lack of self-discipline on my part. I have tried but just don’t know how to control it or make this horrible feeling I get inside me just stop. It is so hard for me to get anything done. I try to get myself to do house work, I manage to pick clothes up off the floor and into the hamper. Then, I start to feel tired and quit although, I am far from being finished with my housework. This is so unlike me. Used to I would get things done and ready to go have some fun. Not anymore.
Mental health [2007-08-14]
While I respect your right to an opinion, I would ask that you respect my right also. I have a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder and without medications I would not be sitting here replying today. They have saved my life. It does also take therapy, lifestyle changes, diet, exercise. Dealing with life head-on is fine but when you have a mental illness due to chemical imbalance your head-on approach is not sufficient. I just worry that opinions such as yours will continue to keep patients from getting the help they need. The stigma of mental illness is alive and well. So while, I respect your opinion regarding medication please keep an open mind and respect my choices too.
Fibromyalgia [2008-07-21]
I have fibromyalgia and the pain is excruciating. When getting out of bed in the mornings, I have to take pain meds and wait for about an hour just to get moving. I am so depressed over this and the only antidepressant i can tolerate is wellbutrin which does absolutely nothing for me. Tried lyrica and Cymbalta, awful, awful side effects. The side effects of Lyrica was the awful weight gain, Cymbalta left me with terrible GI problems. MT is my only means of support as I am alone supporting myself. I had to quit a nice full time job because I can no longer work full time.
Anyone who suffers from this, you know what I am referring to about this disorder being just terrible.
Most days, I do have to PUSH myself to do anything, including work. I take pain meds (narcotics) 3 times a day at 10 mg of hydrocodone, I take Tramadol in between, and alprazolam with the hydrocodone for the muscle spasms. I feel like a zombie. I am allergic to all NSAIDs. I went thru testings for Lupus, MS, etc.....and they were all negative, which was good.
I had suffered with this for almost 2 years as the doctor i had at the time said that he did not treat nor believe in fibromyalgia, so when I was able to get health insurance, I changed doctors and she completely understood and believed that fibromyalgia IS a disease and it was not all in my head.
If anyone out there suffers from this, how do you deal, what do you do for it besides drugs?
If I have typos, sorry...it even hurts to type this morning.
Sorr, Moderators sm [2008-07-21]
I did not realize I was on the wrong board, can you move this to the Mental Health Board? Thanks
President vetoing Medicare Bill [2008-07-15]
President Vetoes Medicare Legislation - Congress To Vote on Overriding Veto
July 15, 2008
President Bush today vetoed a major package of Medicare reforms. The House and Senate are expected to vote on overriding the veto later this week. This Medicare package (HR 6331) contains critical protections and improvements for beneficiaries living withMENTAL ILLNESSand represents an historic opportunity to address long overdue reforms.
Act Now!
Contact Congress today and urge them to support overriding the President's veto of HR 6331. All Senate and House offices can be reached by calling 202-224-3121.
Remind your Senators and House members of the critical beneficiary protections and improvements in HR 6331, including:
PARITY for cost sharing for outpatient mental health services under Part B, gradually moving the current discriminatory 50% requirementDOWNto 20% between 2010 and 2014,
Statutory authority under the Part D drug benefit for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure broad coverage on prescription drug plan formularies for antipsychotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants,
REMOVAL of the current ban on Part D plans offering coverage for benzodiazepines (a critical tool in treatment for acute mania in bipolar disorder and severe anxiety disorders),
Changes to eligibility for the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program (also known as Extra Help) - These reforms include an increase the amount of allowable resources, elimination of barriers to enrollment and the current late enrollment penalty and new exemptions for the value of a life insurance policy and in-kind support and maintenance. Eligibility for the LIS significantly lowers and premiums and cost sharing for drug coverage and exempts beneficiaries from the doughnut hole coverage gap.
White House Objects to Broad Formulary Guidance
As part of its justification for vetoing the Medicare package, the Administration has singled out a provision codifying existing policy that requires Part D prescription drug plans to include all or substantially all of the medications in six protected therapeutic classes, including anti-psychotics, antidepressants and anti-convulsants. Advocates are urged to mention the importance of this provision when contacting their Senators and House member.
Weight [2008-06-23]
Anyone have ANY ideas how to jump start a weight loss program?? I am SOOOO overweight. I constantly worry about my weight, how it is affecting my life, what it is doing to my health, etc. Cannot seem to stop eating though. Quit smoking in 2000, peri-menopausal at this time and seems like the scales keep climbing. I am really embarassed and don No exercise, have to type. Have a bit of OCD, okay a lot of OCD so not sure how that plays in either. Don
Any suggestions? Please be kind, I already beat myself enough about it.
Thanks in advance.
WEIGHT [2008-06-23]
Hi Laurie,
I also am not one to really ask suggestions from, as I am over 150 pounds overweight. I feel horrible, have high blood pressure, and have to use a CPAP machine at night because I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. I also am very worried about my weight and how it affects my appearance and my health. I am sick of it. I have tried everything. My last venture was NutriSystem. I did lose, but I did not like the fact that they sent substitute meals if they were out of what you wanted. I am a very picky eater. Now, I have a lot of their food that I do not like and will not eat. It is expensive.
Years ago, I lost over 70 pounds while living in Wisconsin. I had a diet buddy who lived in Indiana (my mom). We both lost a lot of weight because we supported each other. I then got pregnant and gained all my weight back and then some. My baby is now 26 and I cannot blame it on baby fat any more .
Would you be willing to be my diet buddy? We could give each other hints and encourage each other along the way. It really, really worked for me. It is not a group per say, where you feel as if you are lost in the numbers. It is a one-on-one support. It is strange because I was just going to get on this site, as well as some others that I know of, and ask if anyone would want to be my diet buddy.
I need to lose this weight, and it sounds as if you do too. Do you want to give this a try? We would just e-mail each other, or if you have Yahoo IM we could communicate that way. What do you say?
Stigma [2008-02-07]
Interesting article. I agree there I saw it while working in an orthopaedist A nurse You would think someone in the medical field, even though not in psychiatry, would be more knowledgable. She was a moron. I think the mentally ill are sometimes marginalized in society. Change takes time and happens slowly. Thanks for sharing.
Mental Health - stigma [2008-01-20]
I just found this article, and although it concerns schizophrenia, it covers any mental illness and the stigma attached:
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=7517#pagetop
Many people have issues this time of year [2007-12-09]
Statistically suicides, depression and other mental health issue go up at this time of year. What with the financial pressures, shopping stress, gathering with family members you People that have recently lost loved ones or have broken off a relationship usually feel extra bad when reflecting on prior, happier holidays. People that normally don Commercials make you feel sad and inadequate because you can or your coworkers brag on how much they got and you got very little. This season is rough on many people.
Mental health parity [2007-11-29]
We need your help to support these proposed changes to Medicare: Contact your Senators today and urge them to contact Senate Finance Committee leaders Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) to advocate for improving the Medicare package.
Tell them that we NEED PARITY for cost sharing for outpatient mental illness treatment; improvements to Medicare Part D to include a broad coverage of medications to treat mental illness, including benzodiazepines, and a moratorium on regulations on the Medicaid Rehabilitation Option.
Go here, it http://capwiz.com/nami/issues/alert/?alertid=10587836type=CO
=======================Also:
Millions of Americans with mental disorders do not have equal access to health insurance. Many health plans discriminate against these people by limiting mental health and substance abuse healthcare by imposing lower day and visit limits, higher co-payments and deductibles and lower annual and lifetime spending caps.
Mental Health America and is local and state affiliates support comprehensive health insurance parity legislation, which would ban these practices by requiring the SAME health insurance coverage for mental disorders as physical disorders.
Above copied from: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/parity
I would see a child psychologist - sm [2007-11-18]
Another poster suggested medications. When I did my mental health clinicals, I learned medicine just masks social anxiety disorder and lots of times it is a behavioral issue with children (not saying it is behavior he is choosing to do and he may not even realize it). There are many, many ways that he can slowly be introduced into group settings until he is comfortable. Kind of a desensitization like allergy shots. I would suggest behavior modification techniques at first - kids are so sensitive to the anxiolytics/antidepressants/antipsychotics and their risks often are far worse than the mild benefit they might get. Medications always need used with therapy as there is almost never just a chemical cause to something like this. Good luck, it can get better and be managed with the right person helping you.
Fascinating! [2007-09-29]
Here I am, it
I just read what you and ER-MT posted and it A few months ago I had a meltdown and just had to get away. I went into the woods for a good 2 hours and just sat and listened and watched pretty much nothing except for some birds.
I hate the thought of taking any medication because I have control over it 90% of the time...but that darned 10% of feeling out of control is a bummer when it does hit, and it I really hate the thought of any mental health issues being put in my medical record as well. I see a doctor maybe once every few years for a physical and only go if something is broken or needs suturing. I hate doctors--especially the ones up here in Maine. Itreated by an veterinarian.
I actually had to turn my phone off this week because I Sheand she
Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll have to check it out and see if there are any good tips for coping with it all.
That was/is so totally me! [2007-09-19]
I always was a nervous stressed out kid. I was always the first one up, dressed, and walking to the bus stop an hour before I needed to be just because I was afraid I I was incredibly shy around strangers and even snuck out of birthday parties and sleepovers to sleep in the woods by myself! Can you imagine?!
Even now I I didnWe got married in a hotel room with just the JP and my husband, wore jeans, socks, and T-shirts.I won I went to Chicago once on a trip and had a virtual mental meltdown from the overload of tall buildings and traffic. Oh I was a complete wreck!
I know I I know what my comfort zone is and I do whever I have to do to stay within it and stay sane. So what if that makes me a neurotic shut in who needs a sedative just to go grocery shopping.
My own mental health issues. [2007-08-18]
Short background. I am 32 years old. I am married, have 2 kids ages 5 and 2 and work FT.
Is this a mental health issue when a person appears to be spaced out. What is happening is that I will have a conversation with someone and when the conversation is over and already started on the next one, my mind doesn’t really shut down and I will be still thinking about what was said in the previous conversation that I don’t hear what was said in the next. I don’t know if that makes sense or not. Or another example, I will be thinking of something like what I want to do, about a previous conversation I had and someone will call me and I will be so deep in thought I cannot hear the person calling. I do this daily. I have been bad about this all my life but when something is bothering me it is 100% worse. It always affected my schoolwork and it also affects my job and relationships. I try to control myself but I have failed. Mom thinks I am have epileptic seizures and needs to see a neurologist. I don’t think it is seizures.
Also, I think I must be suffering some kind of mental health issue where I will just be sitting and all of the sudden I will get so mad. No one has said or done anything to provoke it, but I will start thinking about something and get so mad, start rubbing my head and get the urge to kick something hard or toss something across the room or scream at the top of my lungs.
Lately, people say I perceive things wrong. Mom says she is worried about the safety of my kids because of this that I described and told me I needed to get some sort of help. I accused her of calling me unfit. She said no, she thinks there is a short circuit somewhere. Then I said oh so I am crazy, she said no your getting it all wrong. Right now I cannot speak to mom without getting into an argument and a huge meltdown on my part.
To tell the truth I have been worried too. 10 years ago, I was never this way. I have always been spacey but this anger is new. Use to if I had a bad run-in with someone, for example, I would think oh well tomorrow is another day, no big deal. Now, I will dwell on it and dwell on it until I just want to yank that persons hair out or kick them in the face of whatever. (I haven’t yet gotten physical with anyone yet). I don’t understand what has gotten into me. When my kids cross me when I am having one of these episodes, I have managed to just go to another room, count to 10 but there has been a few times I have screamed at them from the top of my lungs and then later think “oh crap” that was unnecessary. I secretly worry about my kids too.
I called my PCP and I have an appointment set up for Monday. I sure hope she can help. Maybe this is just a lack of self-discipline on my part. I have tried but just don’t know how to control it or make this horrible feeling I get inside me just stop. It is so hard for me to get anything done. I try to get myself to do house work, I manage to pick clothes up off the floor and into the hamper. Then, I start to feel tired and quit although, I am far from being finished with my housework. This is so unlike me. Used to I would get things done and ready to go have some fun. Not anymore.
I'd rather deal with life head on [2007-08-14]
They pushed medication on my brother in his teens, now he My mother is a classic enabler who likes to keep him drugged and quiet. Theprofessionals in charge of himhave never made a plan to get him off the meds and teach him coping skills, or any life skills at all. Everyone just wants to maintain the status quo - keep his local mental health association in business managing his case and scheduling group trips to the mall, keep his mental health disabilty rolling in (he has a VERY vague diagnosis of emotional immaturity). Mom wonders what he will do when she is gone...hopefully ditch the meds and start having a real life, although a group home and meds for life is what the game plan is.
Every time I have an emotional crisis, mom is quick to suggest I get professional help and get meds. After what they have done to my brother - no thanks!
What did people do back when there weren They learned to deal with their problems and got by somehow. And so will I, without getting sucked into the mental health machine and getting turned into a quiet, agreeable zombie for my own good. A person is supposed to have a full life that includes pain and difficulties, not go through life in a fog of meds humming don. What doesn I find it incredible that they preach just say no to drugs and then say oh, but THESE drugs are OK because WE say so. I suspect their motives (the allmighty dollar and control over a large sector of the population). If that makes me sound paranoid, Ithat too!
Mental health [2007-08-14]
While I respect your right to an opinion, I would ask that you respect my right also. I have a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder and without medications I would not be sitting here replying today. They have saved my life. It does also take therapy, lifestyle changes, diet, exercise. Dealing with life head-on is fine but when you have a mental illness due to chemical imbalance your head-on approach is not sufficient. I just worry that opinions such as yours will continue to keep patients from getting the help they need. The stigma of mental illness is alive and well. So while, I respect your opinion regarding medication please keep an open mind and respect my choices too.
Thinking of running, too [2007-08-14]
You obviously have an on-the-job injury. Have you ever worked as an employee with a company or has everything been IC? I would contact your local work hardening program and a county health program. I would also contact social security if you have been paying into social security - and apply for disability. My problems are both physical and mental - and from my 15 years of experience, I have not met an MT that did not have something wrong with them physically and/or mentally. My prayers are with you. Just don't start drinking. An MT friend of mine does that and she is now without a job - in and out of jail - and it's just a really hard existence - leave the field before it kills you. It's not worth it.
Seeking advice [2007-07-12]
I can understand some of what you are going through. I had no health insurance for 3 years. I am on Wellbutrin and Effexor.
Glaxo-Smith-Kline and other drug companies have what they call Indigent programs. It is income based, but also uses your doctor's recommendations. Once approved, you do everything by mail. The mail order pharmacy I used was Rite-Aid.
Don't feel bad about asking for help. I used to work in a Urology office for 13 years and we had many male patients come in on chemo for prostate cancer that could not afford the $1,500-$2,000 price tage for the seeds that they implant in your skin. Many times insurance companies will not pay. This is where these programs come in handy.
As to what one of the other poster's stated about Legal Aid...you could also call your local Bar Association. They would have a list of lawyers that could help you.
Good luck with your CTS and I will say a prayer for you.
My husband suffers from [2007-07-03]
severe depression and has been on St. John's Wart for about 6 months after I pleaded with him to try something. I have seen a difference in him, and he in himself. Depression is compounded by daily stressors such as your CTS, inability to work as you would like, and negative comments by your supervisor. Do take some time for yourself. Perhaps you can look in to doing some IC work instead and joining your local business association. They may help find you supplemental insurance or a cheaper group insurance that you can join. Your health both mental and physical are important. Take care of yourself first, the rest will fall in to place. BTW, I take Celexa for mild depression. The generic form is only about $5.
Some suggestions. [2007-07-03]
I see so many typist that have a lot of problems that are caused by improper ergonomics. Don I have been typing for 25+ years now. I had problems1 time with carpal tunnel, bought the wrist splints and put them on at night and when not typing, took Aleve and applied ice. When mine flares up I do this and I am fine. (I am lucky with that I know.) I do get tennis elbow alot where that ligament behind your elbow, to the inside, or the ulnar nerve, gets iflammed and hurts like heck, but I ice that too. I remember a Health nurse at a hospital I worked at one time coming buy and telling someone that I was the only one she had ever seen that typed in an ergonomically correct position. I have had friends who slump over or slide way down in thier chairs or are too high or too low and they are always hurting. I certainly don The attached URL gives some good info.It might take some getting used to but it's worth the try.
I moved about 3 years ago and have not been happy with where I have my desk or the type of desk it is. For 2 years I went back and forth to Dr. with pain in my left chest above my breast, not heart pain. Kept giving me EKGs, etc, I said, it hurts in the muscle/bone and straight through to back. Sometimes it would swaps sides. Put me on Xanax, Flexeril and Reglan 4 times a day. Who could type like that. I did not hurt because I was sleeping all the time! One day I bought a new keyboard rest and I swear to pete it quit in 3 minutes. All those steroid injections and I cured myself for 5 bucks. If my keyboard is not straight or in this case, one of those that slides around, it kills my shoulders, elbows or wrist. Finally got one with rubber feet that does not slide. One time I hot glued it to the desk!
If I were you I would find somewhere else to work as in another company. Kicking someone when they are down just depresses you more. You need some positive reinforcement. I have a local facilitythatpays more and is closer, but I flat refuse to work there because of one smart mouth that works there and admin. refused to do anything about her. They have lost good employees because of it. But if it causes me more stress than good the heck with it. Life is too short. Being happy with coworkers will improve your productivity too.
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