Question:
mental health alternative/complementary care?
Answer:
Have been doing some research into schizophrenia for some friends whose
father badly needs to get off the meds. Seems acupuncture, Chinese herbs
and hypnotherapy are helpful -- and some good old TLC. If anyone is aware of
any alternative care methods I would appreciate your input.
Threw out the meds right away and cured myself of severe panic a few years
back with calming herbs. Valerian, tilden, and a couple of others.
Alternated them so I wouldn't build up a tolerance. Took 7 months. I was
totally on my own in figuring out how to handle this and it was scary at
times. Amazing thing is those who take the meds have to keep taking stronger
stuff. Did some work as a graveyard shift grunt in mental health half-way houses a long time ago. There was one "client" given strong doses of lithium. Used to stare at the ceiling drooling after his dose. I noted in the log that he improved when people (usually me - I didn't have the heart) forgot to dose him and he was slowly taken off. He went through a brief phase where he would pick up a knife and stare at someone but we would tell him something like "how about we do the dishes now?" and he'd be fine. He moved out and last I heard was living independently. I felt humbled and
deeply moved when he came to thank me with his social worker one day. ...The hospital doctor put me into a coma five days a week for eight weeks
by injecting me with insulin. Those 40 insulin treatments combined with
electroshock blasted huge holes in my memory , parts of which have never
returned. I ballooned from 140 to 170 pounds; I appeared the clown in
clothes that no longer fit. My already damaged self-image had plummeted to
an unrecognizable depth, and the heavy doses of Thorazine and Stelazine made
me feel like I was walking in slow-motion under water...
Do we recover or are we transformed by our experiences?
Some of us think of ourselves as recovering or recovered. Others like myself
see it as a process of transformation. Like other psychiatric survivors, I
feel dutybound to share what helped and hurt me so that we may eliminate the
ineffective treatments and abuses of the mental health system, and help make
our communities more supportive and inclusive.
Yet how does one climb from the depths? Research from around the world
documents high rates of complete recovery from schizophrenia. The most
extensive study, known as the Vermont Longitudinal Study, followed patients
for an average of 32 years. Lead researcher Courtenay Harding of the
University of Colorado studied the most "hopeless" patients diagnosed with
schizophrenia: the feces-smearing patients who barely dressed themselves and
had forgotten how to tell time. Harding reported that 30 percent of these
patients had fully recovered. These ex-patients were symptom-free, employed,
had a social life and did not take medication.
During my own struggles it would have been extremely helpful to have known
of this optimistic research. Yet even with such remarkable findings, the
common belief remains: Recovery is rare or impossible. In forums and
presentations, I've shared these research findings and found that most
people are surprised by the results.
Another study conducted by the United Nations through the World Health
Organization found that people diagnosed with schizophrenia in Third World
countries have higher rates of recovery than those who live in First World
nations. Why is this? The thinking has been that families in underdeveloped
countries need each member to be productive. Therefore, there may be greater
tolerance for people who look and act differently. These people are
necessary to their families and community. They have value.
What makes recovery and transformation possible? Unlike the research on
recovery rates, there is little quantitative research on what promotes
recovery. To determine what is helpful, we are guided by qualitative
research gathered from people willing to share their stories.
In the Vermont study Harding asked people, "What really made the difference
in your recovery?" Many of them answered similarly. They looked down at
their feet, shuffled around and said something about a person who told them
that they have a chance to get better. Having someone believe in them
translated into hope. Without hope, death can establish a foothold. Hope
fights fear and nurtures courage. It inspires vision and the work required
to realize the unattainable.
Pat Deegan, a psychologist and psychiatric survivor, was diagnosed with
schizophrenia at 17 and hospitalized nine times. She is currently director
of education at the National Empowerment Center in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
When Dr. Deegan talks about recovery, she often tells a story about how her
traditional Irish grandmother reached out to her. When she was discharged
from the hospital, Pat spent days sitting in a chair doing nothing but
smoking cigarettes and drinking Cokes. Every day, her grandmother came in
and asked her if she wanted to go to the grocery store with her. It was not
a demand, just an invitation for company. For months Pat refused. One day
she agreed to go with her grandmother, but stipulated that she would not
choose anything or help in any way. It was a beginning. Her grandmother
valued her company and believed that she could do more.
It isn't one person or incident or clinical intervention that is critical
for change to occur. Instead, it's a complex process. One essential factor
is keeping the spirit alive. Connecting with others helps: Receiving respect
and warmth breaks through the isolation and helps you feel worthy and alive.
Deep in the recesses of our being there are safe sanctuaries, secure hiding
places for salvageable dreams. Anger sustains our stubborn refusal to accept
others' dire predictions. Anger protects our hopes and dreams.
Author and international lecturer Judi Chamberlin writes proudly and
sardonically about having been a noncompliant patient. Noncompliant patients
receive the worst and potentially most harmful treatments. We have been
locked in seclusion, placed in restraints, chemically and physically
straitjacketed, lobotomized, shocked and beaten because we protested too
much. If we were lucky enough to escape permanent damage, anger helped us.
It helped us fight for our rights and shun the role of lifelong mental
patient.
Anne Krauss, a psychiatric survivor working in the mental health field in
New York tells an illuminating story of the effects of suppressing anger.
She worked as a peer advocate in a state psychiatric hospital, and on one
occasion she was in the ward talking with a patient for whom she was an
advocate. Knowing that her complaints were legitimate, Anne listened
respectfully to the woman as she angrily complained about not getting what
she wanted. At the time, a psychiatrist assigned to the ward who knew both
Anne and the patient walked over and placed himself between the two women.
He faced Anne and said, "You know, some people just don't know that they
should not be angry with people who are trying to help them. They would get
along much better if they showed more respect." After he walked away, Anne
resumed the conversation. The woman was no longer lucid. She ignored Anne,
and began talking to the voices only she could hear. Anne was stunned by
this example of the price paid when you are forced to bury your anger.
Darby Penney is director of the Bureau of Recipient Affairs for the New York
State Office of Mental Health. In her cabinet-level position, she supervises
a staff of 14 and reports directly to the commissioner of the world's
largest mental health system. Darby tries to infuse her work with survival
lessons she learned during her stay in psychiatric hospitals. In the
hospital you are asked to talk about your feelings, but when that emotion is
actually felt and expressed, you suffer the staff-imposed consequences. If
you cry, you are considered suicidal. If you're angry, you are aggressive
and dangerous. And if you are laughing too happily, you are manic and need
to be sedated.
Each of us defies set formulas. The timing and options are different for
each of us. What is helpful is the right to take risks-the opportunity to
fail or succeed, as well as the freedom to make decisions and choices.
Without risk, without choice, the whole process is perverted into,
stabilization and maintenance at best and incarceration at worst but never
growth and development.
When people who have been diagnosed and treated for serious mental illness
work and play side by side with others, they will be seen and valued for who
they are with all their strengths, weaknesses and foibles. By demystifying
madness, we can begin to appreciate the beautiful gifts that diversity
offers to everyone.
http://spiritualemergency.blogspot.com/
http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/
http://www.nor.com.au/community/spiritualemergence/index.html
http://www.nor.com.au/community/spiritualemergence/page4.html
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://thefifthbody.homestead.com/entrance.html
http://seekers.100megs6.com/SilentThunder1.htm
http://www.innerbeloved.com/
http://www.songsouponsea.com/Promenade/home.html
I'm praying that soon the evil regime of
psychiatry will soon be oever with a wave of light and rush of
cleansing energy. Forever.
And may all those souls who've been injured in any way, shape or form
find healing in a flash of love to the core.
I've got a few links on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rainbowgimps/links but
would appreciate any ones related to other alternative treatments for MH
problems. Here's one
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/default.htm
http://www.hooponopono.org/ This works.
try valerian root or skullcap...use in small doses, say a quarter of a
teaspoon steeped in boiling hot water a couple times a day...check with
doctor to make sure there won't be any adverse reactions to already
used meds...I got off of Prozac by using a tincture of the two herbs
mixed...but remember, herbal medicine does not work on everyone...you
also have to have the mindset that it is gonna work and do not get huge
expectations...be patient, but most of all, be careful You might want to check into the work of Dr. A. Hoffer. He is using a
system of medicine called Orthomolecular Medicine, to treat a variety
of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, with great success.
Orthomolecular medicine involves using the molecules normally present
in the body, in doses that balance the body. Substances such as Niacin,
Vit.C, manganese,B6, folic acid, B12, Essential Fatty Acids, in doses
that effect change in the system, are documented to cure schizophrenia.
His work is fascinating, documented and effective. Google for his work
and also the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine for more information on
this field.
