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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
In reply to Re: Is it the voices?????????????????????????????, posted by Willow on May 12, 2003, at 9:13:08
> (ps Boss how bout a board for schizophrenia)
Interesting idea... It would be different, having one for a specific disorder... What do others think?
Bob
Posted by Pfinstegg on May 13, 2003, at 9:19:01
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
Hi Dr. Bob.. I like the idea of a board specially for schizophrenia. Only a very few people with this disorder post on the regular boards here, and, when they do, they don't get much response, mainly, I guess, because most of us are not familiar enough with the treatments and social, emotional and vocational difficulties which people with schizophrenia are dealing with. I think a board for them might help them be more vocal and active- just as it has done,here, for people with depressive disorders. And while I'm here posting, let me thank you, so much, for keeping these boards going; they have been invaluable to me in becoming a more informed, empowered and active participant in my own treatment. There's just no way i can fully express what a difference this change has made!
Pfinstegg
Posted by Dinah on May 13, 2003, at 9:45:33
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
My concern is that it may appear to be seggregation of a sort. From my experience with my aunts and cousins, I suspect that the disease is isolating enough as it is.
I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with the idea unless it was vigorously endorsed by those diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Posted by medlib on May 14, 2003, at 9:06:27
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
Although I'm usually first in line to support experimentation, I think that a board for schizophrenia is one of those ideas that *sounds* better than it would work. First, I doubt that there would be enough traffic to support it (I'm remembering the PB for kids board).
Second, many newbies show up on PB still in the differential diagnostic stage of info seeking. Take, for example, a post mentioning "hearing voices". Auditory hallucinations are the best known positive sx of schizophrenia; but they could just as easily be a sx of BPI psychotic mania, or TLE or DID. Redirecting such a post to a schizophrenia board could be wrong, or, at least, premature. There's an even greater potential for overlap when considering negative sxs of schizophrenia.
Third, medication overlap is almost 100%. On any given PB board, the odds are high that you could find mention of every single AP. A poster to a schizophrenia board would still have to read and post to PB to get the most complete med info for their diagnosis.
Finally,...Nope. The better part of wisdom is for me to leave discussion of the social implications of a new board to others.
medlib
Posted by Willow on May 14, 2003, at 12:16:14
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia » Dr. Bob, posted by medlib on May 14, 2003, at 9:06:27
>First, I doubt that there would be enough traffic to support it (I'm remembering the PB for kids board).
Quoting from stats on the Mayo website, there are more than 2 million Americans affected by this illness. If we were to change it to a board for "family and friends of people with psycotic illnesses," this would then include Bi-Polar I. Or perhaps, "Thought Disorders" with this definition given from the same site:
"Thought disorders. These are disorders that impair your perception of reality, such as schizophrenia."
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=9C61909F-3AEE-438E-8BC1E0FD9C4997A7I can recall a poster who has bi-polar posting regarding her delusional thought process and getting a reply to the effect "what type of drugs are you on." I'm not saying that this isn't possible on a seperate board, but do believe it would give people a safe haven to talk about such issues.
Another quote from the above website:
"By its nature, schizophrenia is not an illness for which someone is likely to seek treatment on his or her own." Which I believe also applies to bi-polar before it is diagnosed. It is my belief, that because of the nature of the illness you are more likely to have people acquainted with an ill person to post for feedback than the individual themselves.
>
> There's an even greater potential for overlap when considering negative sxs of schizophrenia.Yes, initially when someone becomes ill it is the doctor's job to figure out which illness a person has. Symptoms of most illness do overlap with others. I believe that by the time a family member is searching for help and support for this illness they will have a probable diagnosis made by a psychiatrist.
>
> A poster to a schizophrenia board would still have to read and post to PB to get the most complete med info for their diagnosis.Yes, a poster may want to consider checking on the regular babble board concerning meds, but the dosages discussed on the babble board may alarm family members. Sometimes to get a patient stable comparing the dosage required to ones mentioned on the med board can seem lethal. A large component of success for patients is having someone monitor their drug usage and I wouldn't want to see a caring person lowering a dosage because of something they read on the net.
Here's my comparison of the more common mood disorders to a thought disorder as defined above. First, having a bad day ~ being cranky or sad would be equivalent to being hit by a tennis ball. Sure it stings, may leave a bruise, but most likely it wouldn't significantly disturb your life. Next a mood disorder, you're in a car accident. Severity really flucuates here. You may walk away, may affect you for months, even for life, and a bad one could even kill you. Finally, a thought disorder ~ the plain you are on crashes.
Yes, it is just an idea for board, one that I feel very strongly about. I was disappointed when the board concerning children was removed. I don't believe the overlap between the old-timers boards and social would be anymore so with another avenue for people to reach out to others for support. I've been on other boards and they were hard to handle or just not as supportive as the atmosphere here. If it would be a question of having someone monitor the new board, I may be willing to do this, if acceptable.
WILLOW
Posted by wendy b. on May 14, 2003, at 21:48:52
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia » Dr. Bob, posted by Dinah on May 13, 2003, at 9:45:33
> My concern is that it may appear to be seggregation of a sort. From my experience with my aunts and cousins, I suspect that the disease is isolating enough as it is.
>
> I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with the idea unless it was vigorously endorsed by those diagnosed with schizophrenia.
I agree thoroughly with Dinah for the reasons she suggests. And because it's a slippery slope toward other divisions based on type of illness, rather than just mental illness in general. (Sorry, Willow).Thanks,
Wendy
Posted by Pfinstegg on May 15, 2003, at 8:19:11
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by wendy b. on May 14, 2003, at 21:48:52
I think that the people concerned about the possible negative aspects of a board just for schizophrenia all made very valid points. I do still think that it is an idea worth trying, however. The social stigma about the depressive illnesses, and even personality disorders, has decreased a great deal in the past few years, and people lucky enough to find PB have probably experienced a tremendous lessening of their sense of shame and guilt about having these illnesses. I know I would never put this diagnosis down on a medical questionaire in a doctor's office until recently; however, in a visit yesterday to an orthopedist to treat a fracture, I was able to write "depression, presently in remission" without fear.
People with schizophrenia do not yet have the voice, or the support, that we have. But the voices are there, waiting to be heard and validated. Probably family members of people with schizophrenia and related disorders might predominate at first, but there is always the possibility that people with these illnesses will find their board and begin to make use of it to share treatment strategies and provide mutual support. This would be a huge step forward, as, up until now, this has been an isolated and silent group. There is so much overlap in medications- I think someone on PB has taken almost every AP for off-label use; however, some of the social and vocational issues are, at least qualitatively, different. What is there to lose, other than a board that no-one posts to?
Pfinstegg
Posted by judy1 on May 18, 2003, at 17:53:19
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
More along the vein of Willow's suggestion- specifically for psychotic disorders. It is too easy for me to miss posts on the various boards that relate to this subject (probably because I only look at the subject line and do not read every post)- and I honestly feel I would benefit from such a board. thanks-judy
Posted by judy1 on May 18, 2003, at 17:55:06
In reply to Could we try? » Dr. Bob, posted by judy1 on May 18, 2003, at 17:53:19
Posted by stjames on June 19, 2003, at 23:52:07
In reply to Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-) (nm), posted by judy1 on May 18, 2003, at 17:55:06
I think this is a good idea. Schizophrenia is
very under represented on this list, despite 1%
of the general population having it. I have always wondered why there is such a low turn out for this group;
was it do to the severe impairment of function not
allowing an internet forum to be useful to schizophrenics or the lack of a space where they would be understood.SI, DID, ect seem to have found their place on the Psychology board. Perhaps a board for the thought disorders, Psychotic Psycho-Babble, would allow
yet another group to find a safe space.
Posted by noa on June 20, 2003, at 20:23:47
In reply to Re: Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-), posted by stjames on June 19, 2003, at 23:52:07
could it be socio-economic? do people with schizophrenia have less access to the internet by virtue of how the disorder affects their economic status?
Posted by Dinah on June 20, 2003, at 20:36:46
In reply to Re: Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-), posted by stjames on June 19, 2003, at 23:52:07
Schizophrenia would be quite welcome on Psychological Babble as well. After all it is what we make of it. There was a poster a while back posting about CBT for psychosis.
I've got some relatives with schizophrenia, and I wouldn't find any problem welcoming schizophrenics or those who wish to discuss it in context of a relative to the existing boards. Social for social topics. Psychological for therapy and psychological aspects. The original PB for medication. Why the need to seggregate one illness?
Posted by stjames on June 27, 2003, at 0:52:49
In reply to Re: Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-) » stjames, posted by Dinah on June 20, 2003, at 20:36:46
Why the need to seggregate one illness?
In all the years existance of this board,
this illness, specifically, and pyschotic illness
in general are very under represented. And yet 1%
of the population suffers from schizophrenia. They are not here, that is a given, so why not try something different to attract them ?Schizophrenia is organic in cause & there is a
psychological aspect while many psychotic disorders are psychological in orgin.
Posted by stjames on June 27, 2003, at 1:38:59
In reply to Re: Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-), posted by noa on June 20, 2003, at 20:23:47
> could it be socio-economic? do people with schizophrenia have less access to the internet by virtue of how the disorder affects their economic status?
I would suspect so. A large number of the homeless are schizophrenic. In a cruel twist,
discovery of AP's in the 1950's emptied the psyco wards of the cronically psychotic. At the same time the number of homeless went up.
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on July 6, 2003, at 16:07:52
In reply to Re: Psychotic Psycho-Babble?:-), posted by stjames on June 27, 2003, at 1:38:59
I have brought up items of relevance to schizophrenia on Psychobabble and got almost no response.I believe for example that omega-3 fish oil can help schizophrenics as can the the orthomolecular theories of Abram Hoffer,MD.I look after a number of schizophrenic patients who have done well on fish oil and I am now encouraging them without much success to date to try the vitamins and minerals suggested by Dr Hoffer.Over 50% of my schizophrenics work-the typical figure is more like 20%.Hoffer reckons that 50-90% should be able to function well enough to work and have a life.I do not think there will be enough interest to keep a schizophrenic board very active but it may help some people and it is worth a try on that basis alone.
Posted by CherC68 on July 26, 2003, at 20:55:07
In reply to Re: how bout a board for schizophrenia, posted by Dr. Bob on May 12, 2003, at 23:12:18
Dr. Bob,
For some of us on here that are not as intelligent, as it seems many of you are,
how about a message board that we can talk about our issues.I'm borderline/ocd and just one of the most miserable people in the world - I came to this website looking for information on Zoloft and the Effexor xr drugs for a short period of time and that I quit.
Original Psycho Babble - Getting to know so many people in Babble, in my time of crisis, when the storm him (no disaster area funding now - lost lots of money because of storm) the people in psycho babble helped me more than any doctor could.
Therapy - My internist left the clinic plus they have no PDoc's which he suggested, they have therapists, but my insurance may not cover both in different clinics.
Social - My father is having a biopsy for his Prostate on Monday, I see a hand surgeon (2nd one - this one *out of the "h" clinic* and I'm just falling apart.
Religion - I have questions regarding religion and my beliefs and non-beliefs, etc.
If I had to go to each and every different section of Babble - and I didn't have OCD when I started - I sure would.
How weird that before babble I could barely get out of bed or go to work, but can look so forward to sitting in front of a computer to read our posts and others, etc.
So many of us have formed a bond. How about a section where anything that is Safe & Civil goes?
I know that this is your website for your book but if you are considering doing a site on schizophrenia, then how about one on Bi-Polar - Borderline - OCD - how about for our sociopaths, psychopaths. We may need one on Alzheimers too. I just read that most people with depressive or mental issues end up with Alzheimers.
I know it sounds like I'm getting carried away, and you will probably ban me - but I'm reaching out to you and asking for you to help us find a way to get the help we need.
Thanks for listening.
Cher
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 27, 2003, at 11:16:42
In reply to Re: how bout a board for everything? » Dr. Bob, posted by CherC68 on July 26, 2003, at 20:55:07
> If I had to go to each and every different section of Babble - and I didn't have OCD when I started - I sure would.
But you have to go to one place to buy groceries and another to buy shoes and another to buy a car, right? And that doesn't give anyone OCD...
> How weird that before babble I could barely get out of bed or go to work, but can look so forward to sitting in front of a computer to read our posts and others, etc.
I wouldn't say that's weird, I'd say that's how important support from others can be. :-)
> I'm reaching out to you and asking for you to help us find a way to get the help we need.
And I'm trying to help you get that here. It can be complicated sometimes, and can take some getting used to, but I hope you'll give it a try. BTW, it's fine to post about medication in PSB, posts like that only get redirected when it seems like they were posted there by mistake.
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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