RYL Forums - View Single Post - Is anyone in this forum anti-psychiatry?

trechu · 07-05-2013, 08:19 PM

I've been involved with the psychiatric services for over 8 years. I spent the best part of 6 years in hospital, often against my will. I have been threatened, sedated, restrained, put in secure units, given medication against my will, been given blood transfusions against my will, been dragged out of my apartment because I refused to go to hospital, had the police break down my door. I still have nightmares about it, and get panicky when I encounter certain things which remind me of all this. It was traumatic, and there are things I think I'll never be able to forgive various doctors and nurses for.

However, difficult as it is to admit, I believe that most of the time all of this was done simply to keep me safe. I am far from "better", but I am alive, and had I been left to just do whatever I wanted, I highly doubt I would be alive. I've been on a lot of medication, and experienced a lot of unpleasant side effects. I came off all my medication just over a year ago, and while I did feel better in some ways, I found myself struggling. I eventually agreed to go back on just one medication, an anti-depressant, and while things are definitely not wonderful, I believe my mood is better than it was without medication, and I haven't experienced any side effects from what I'm currently taking.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have had a lot of terrible experiences with psychiatry, and I still feel bitter about most of it, but I think if things are really bad then there may be a place for it. A few years ago, I would never have admitted this, but I think having a tiny bit of distance and a slightly different perspective has made a huge difference.

I doubt the replies in this thread will make any difference to your opinion, and that's ok. There are many reasons to hate psychiatry. However, maybe one day, when you're in a better place, you will look back and realise that maybe not everything that happened was the worst thing that could have happened at that time. That may not happen, but if it does, perhaps then you'll remember the replies you've gotten here, and be able to appreciate them.

07-05-2013, 08:19 PM	#110
trechu Perfectly Imperfect Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ireland I am currently:	I've been involved with the psychiatric services for over 8 years. I spent the best part of 6 years in hospital, often against my will. I have been threatened, sedated, restrained, put in secure units, given medication against my will, been given blood transfusions against my will, been dragged out of my apartment because I refused to go to hospital, had the police break down my door. I still have nightmares about it, and get panicky when I encounter certain things which remind me of all this. It was traumatic, and there are things I think I'll never be able to forgive various doctors and nurses for. However, difficult as it is to admit, I believe that most of the time all of this was done simply to keep me safe. I am far from "better", but I am alive, and had I been left to just do whatever I wanted, I highly doubt I would be alive. I've been on a lot of medication, and experienced a lot of unpleasant side effects. I came off all my medication just over a year ago, and while I did feel better in some ways, I found myself struggling. I eventually agreed to go back on just one medication, an anti-depressant, and while things are definitely not wonderful, I believe my mood is better than it was without medication, and I haven't experienced any side effects from what I'm currently taking. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have had a lot of terrible experiences with psychiatry, and I still feel bitter about most of it, but I think if things are really bad then there may be a place for it. A few years ago, I would never have admitted this, but I think having a tiny bit of distance and a slightly different perspective has made a huge difference. I doubt the replies in this thread will make any difference to your opinion, and that's ok. There are many reasons to hate psychiatry. However, maybe one day, when you're in a better place, you will look back and realise that maybe not everything that happened was the worst thing that could have happened at that time. That may not happen, but if it does, perhaps then you'll remember the replies you've gotten here, and be able to appreciate them.
	~R