tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post2344591564625920010..comments2024-03-29T06:37:18.029-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Depressing thoughtsPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-28300464106170297662014-08-26T09:42:59.053-04:002014-08-26T09:42:59.053-04:00So much more needs to be done. Thank you for this ...So much more needs to be done. Thank you for this post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-90122776520319825672014-08-25T19:59:50.907-04:002014-08-25T19:59:50.907-04:00Since I’ve had some experience with mental health ...Since I’ve had some experience with mental health conditions in both my immediate and extended family, I’ll offer my layman’s perspective.<br /><br />In comparing mental health and physical health conditions, one challenge is that mental health issues are often considerably more difficult to diagnose and then to determine an effective course of treatment. <br /><br />There are more drug treatment options available for mental health conditions today than several decades ago but many have significant side effects and it can be a challenge to get the dosage right. While insurers are willing to pay for long term drug treatment, they are generally not willing to pay for unlimited sessions with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional because it’s hard to measure progress. Moreover, most psychiatrists, at least in this area, don’t accept insurance because reimbursement rates are too low and documentation requirements are too onerous.<br /><br />I think the bottom line is that there is a heck of a lot we still don’t know about how to effectively treat mental health conditions as compared to physical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Regarding what, if anything, we should be doing differently in treating mental health issues and how to pay for them, I don’t know.<br />Barry Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-51453835356936735502014-08-25T19:46:26.346-04:002014-08-25T19:46:26.346-04:00Thanks for the helpful expanded view.Thanks for the helpful expanded view.Paul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-79795440651633058682014-08-25T19:45:19.376-04:002014-08-25T19:45:19.376-04:00I appreciate your compassion for those suffering. ...I appreciate your compassion for those suffering. But as a health care professional and member of the growing movement to promote options and informed consent in mental health treatment, it's important to note that 'brain disease' is a blanket term, and inaccurate. We have yet to identify the biological underpinnings of what gets diagnosed as mental illness. (On the other hand, we have seen the neurodegenerative effects of antipsychotics, for example). More Tx isn't always better.<br /><br />We diagnose and treat symptoms, which says nothing about why, or how to cure. Medications can help relieve suffering temporarily in some, but also come with serious adverse effects, which, for many, result in disability.<br /><br />Yes, distress has a biological correlation, but it is also rooted in environment, culture, poverty, oppression and trauma. LGBTQ youth and veterans of war, for example, are at 3xs at risk of suicide. Does this mean they have inferior brains? No. The data show that the low serotonin theory of depression was disproven in the early 80s, though marketed as fact since then. Very problematic.<br /><br />It's time we address the real problems with the DSM, our treatments, and poor outcomes in this country. We need alternatives, a more cautious approach to medications, and non-pharma funded information.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com