tayrup70 asked this question on 4/14/2000:

I post this answer to the general board because I know people are less inclined to read the one rated answers people give.

==@@====!!!=====######======************=====

In Larry's defense,I have read his answers, He has given me advice, I feel better then ever before. I don't know anything about scientology,I din't even know there was a difference between that and psychology. Now that I know where his advice came from I'm gonna check it out. One thing I do know about though is living with a former mental patient who grew more insane the more he was treated by psychiatry. When the pills didn't work,they only made his temper flare,they tried ECT. I wish I could turn back time. I wish that when I visit him monthly he didn't drool all over himself,I wish he could remember my name. The sad thing is I can't do anything to get him out of the instituition. the sad thing is he went in to see a MD with mild depresssion. he use to be successful,he use to be a very loving man. I miss him very much. I wish I had heard larry's advice and followups earlier in life. i could have saved my soulmate. One week depression free,and signing up for a course at the nearest scientology organization. Screw,Psychiatry! Inhuman bastards!

happily signed, Taya

CeeBee gave this response on 4/14/2000:

Hi, Taya --

I am sorry to hear about your soulmate's and your very bad experience with psychiatry. If he started out with only mild depression and is now in the condition you state, something is very tragically wrong concerning the treatment he received.

Psychology is considered a "soft science." It has no definite answers since it deals with human motivation and behavior which are extremely subjective. There is no one right answer that works for everyone. I have known wise, thoughtful, and helpful psychiatrists (M.D.), psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D.), and master's level therapists. I have also known and avoided inept practitioners in those fields. Any person who seeks help from any professional, whether it be librarian or physician or pharmacist or psychiatrist or whatever, must remember and practice the ancient saying, "Caveat emptor" ("Let the buyer beware"). That certainly won't solve the problem of ineptitude, but it's a start.

Scientology is considered by many to be a religion. I am not a Scientologist, and I try very hard not to bring my personal religious beliefs and values into my counseling and into my answers to depression page questioners. I try to meet questioners where they are and give them enough of a leg-up until they are able to find their way on their own or with other assistance. If that is not what I should be doing, then someone please advise me.

CeeBee

CeeBee gave this follow-up answer on 4/14/2000:

Hi Taya --

I said caveat emptor because psychiatry is a business and people pay to get help from its practitioners. So, yes, it is like buying an Easter basket... At least the buyer of an Easter basket can see what he's getting.

I gave you my honest answer devoid of prejudice and bashing. I don't understand why you rated it so low. I cannot bash the field of psychiatry because certain (not all!!) psychiatrists helped my schizophrenic grandmother and my manic-depressive uncle over many years.

I personally have found the APA to be very political and extremely protective of certain privileges it has, such as the fact that psychiatrists can prescribe psychotropic medications, whereas psychologists etc. cannot. Too often the overriding political agendae and the preoccupation with medicating have interferred with what should be the main mission, to help people get back into life and be productive and loving human beings again.

Open-minded, but wary, CeeBee

The average rating for this answer is 2.1.

tayrup70 rated this answer a 1.

Buyer beware? We are talking about people,not easter baskets! Psychiatrist need to better understand that distinction. God save their souls.