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The Medication Generation. I read an article in today’s WSJ regarding the use of anti-depressants in adolescents. The author of the article pointed out how being medicated and not experiencing the emotional ups and downs of adolescence hindered the development of self concept or “who am I”. Interesting thought. I can only go by my own experiences. I am ADD, dyslexic and have all sorts of neurological quirks as well as enzymatic digestive deficiencies. When I was a it was obvious something was out of sync so my mother took me to a variety of doctors. They never did figure it out (that didn’t happen until I was in grad school learning how to detect and diagnose as a professional) but I sure was a testing ground for medications. None of them worked as they produced side effects that were as bad as or worse than the original symptoms. In adolescence I refused all further medications / medical interventions as I did not want to suffer through the weight gains and losses associated with them (how perfect an example of a age girl’s priorities is this?). By then I had learned how to modify my behavior on my own so had no social difficulties. School would have been easier with meds but I managed to graduate HS and go to college. Extra work, sure but I figured out a way around all of the barriers. I tried meds again in my 20’s but not for long. When I had a grease fire in the kitchen I reacted appropriately but had no emotional response. Not seeing much difference between myself and my plants I refused meds. And so it went through most of my adult years. I learned to live with my hyperactivity and made it work for me raising a family, first as a single mom, then as mom to 5 along with a demanding job. Yes, the ups and downs were there but I knew them for what they were and did not respond to them in any way that affected my outward behavior. Socially I had no difficulties as I found a peer group that I was comfortable being myself with and learned how to role play the rest of the time. When my husband was terminally ill I was caring for a 2 year old grandchild, a disabled and a barely hanging on while her husband was deployed to Kosove as well as continuing to work. Hubby’s MD sat me down and convinced me that I needed some help if I was going to handle all I had to handle. He rightfully pointed out that I had so many depending on me I could not afford to risk my well being. So, for the benefit of others I started taking meds. That was 10 years ago. I continue take meds because my aging body could never keep up with my overactive mind and imagination. I’m not sure if it’s that the meds have improved that much over the intervening years, If they finally found the right ones to slow down my mind without destroying my personality and creativity or if it is me that has changed over the years but finally they work right. I am not flat lined emotionally, my creativity is in full bloom and I am not wearing out my body before its time. While I am still about twice as active as others in my peer group (age wise) I am not driving everyone around me crazy because I never stop physically and I still have plenty of physical energy and motivation to do my gardening, work on my art, run my business and exercise daily. A good example is that I manage to focus, sit still and write blogs but avoid chat and IM as it is too difficult for me to sit and pay attention due to the process being way to slow for my mind. l as have an active social life as well . There is no damper on my enthusiasm, imagination or sense of adventure. The negatives? I have to keep track to make sure my BP doesn’t go too low, I am slightly clumsier as my spatial relationships and balance are a bit impacted and now that I am on Medicare I have to go to the doctor more often but that is about all. Based experiences of family and friends and on my personal experience I do feel that behavior modifying meds are probably over prescribed for adolescents and young adults who do not have long standing or severe problems but for those who are like me have faulty neurological wiring, they are the greatest thing ever. The importance is one of a good diagnosis and finding the right combination of meds. rather than simply prescribing the latest and greatest pharmaceuticals. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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I can tell you confidently that I am one of the worst patients to prescribe for that any doctor can possible have. There are so many side-effects to modern drugs that I try to get through life without them. The only pills I currently take are one for a sluggish thyroid and another to reduce my blood pressure a little. I would rather suffer pain than risk taking some of the multi-side-effects drugs currently on the market. Alfie....
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7/1/2012 2:12 pm |
Hi Spirit: What an interesting blog. It's not often people in these groups post too much personal info about themselves, so thanks for sharing that with us. I am taking so many prescription drugs now it's not even funny. I take up to 19 pills every day and can just imagine what terrible damage they're doing to me, but I don't really have a choice with any of the drugs I'm taking. When I was in my last year of high school I was into sports and really hurt my back. I literally couldn't move for three months from the severe pain. Today any first year medical student would know that lying in bed is the worst thing a patient can do for a muscle spasm. Anyway, at that time doctors were still making house calls and he prescribed Valium  as a muscle relaxer. Not knowing anything about muscle spasms or prescription drugs, I did what he said, and became addicted. For the next twenty five years I was literally popping Valium like candy. I finally went to an addiction treatment centre and Narcotics Anonymous and got off them for good but it wasn't easy.
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7/1/2012 2:36 pm |
Glad you finally got the right stuff for relief. It certainly is a godsend for those of us who need it. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/1/2012 2:41 pm |
I could not agree more about the need for finding the right doc. I have been fortunate to have and have had one that works with me. Interestingly enough while both were educated in western medicine and licensed in the US both were eastern by culture. They were more holistic than most practitioners of western medicine only and willing to listen, work with me and try alternatives including homeopathic treatments. I currently use a combination of meds and natural treatments that work well for my body. My cocktail would probably take down an elephant but it is what my body seems to need. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/1/2012 6:20 pm |
mrsjoe. Ditto. alfie. I feel the same. In the 80's I was prescribed Motrin (I think) from an inflamed left elbow for suspected Limes disease. Turned out to be 'keyboard' elbow from a new office chair with a sticky (for lack of a better term) arm rest. Whew. As of today still no medicines. Tomorrow? Who knows what might come my way.
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7/1/2012 7:42 pm |
Hi Spirit: What an interesting blog. It's not often people in these groups post too much personal info about themselves, so thanks for sharing that with us. I am taking so many prescription drugs now it's not even funny. I take up to 19 pills every day and can just imagine what terrible damage they're doing to me, but I don't really have a choice with any of the drugs I'm taking. When I was in my last year of high school I was into sports and really hurt my back. I literally couldn't move for three months from the severe pain. Today any first year medical student would know that lying in bed is the worst thing a patient can do for a muscle spasm. Anyway, at that time doctors were still making house calls and he prescribed Valium as a muscle relaxer. Not knowing anything about muscle spasms or prescription drugs, I did what he said, and became addicted. For the next twenty five years I was literally popping Valium like candy. I finally went to an addiction treatment centre and Narcotics Anonymous and got off them for good but it wasn't easy.As fopr what you now need - I know you have had a lot of health issues - just be thankful there is something to help. Hopefully they help you live better and longer. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/1/2012 7:45 pm |
I can tell you confidently that I am one of the worst patients to prescribe for that any doctor can possible have. There are so many side-effects to modern drugs that I try to get through life without them. The only pills I currently take are one for a sluggish thyroid and another to reduce my blood pressure a little. I would rather suffer pain than risk taking some of the multi-side-effects drugs currently on the market. Alfie.... Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/1/2012 7:56 pm |
mrsjoe. Ditto. alfie. I feel the same. In the 80's I was prescribed Motrin (I think) from an inflamed left elbow for suspected Limes disease. Turned out to be 'keyboard' elbow from a new office chair with a sticky (for lack of a better term) arm rest. Whew. As of today still no medicines. Tomorrow? Who knows what might come my way. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/1/2012 7:58 pm |
Hi Spirit: What an interesting blog. It's not often people in these groups post too much personal info about themselves, so thanks for sharing that with us. I am taking so many prescription drugs now it's not even funny. I take up to 19 pills every day and can just imagine what terrible damage they're doing to me, but I don't really have a choice with any of the drugs I'm taking. When I was in my last year of high school I was into sports and really hurt my back. I literally couldn't move for three months from the severe pain. Today any first year medical student would know that lying in bed is the worst thing a patient can do for a muscle spasm. Anyway, at that time doctors were still making house calls and he prescribed Valium as a muscle relaxer. Not knowing anything about muscle spasms or prescription drugs, I did what he said, and became addicted. For the next twenty five years I was literally popping Valium like candy. I finally went to an addiction treatment centre and Narcotics Anonymous and got off them for good but it wasn't easy.Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/2/2012 10:15 am |
glad you found your "magic bullet" too. it is indeed a relief when something works well - especially when it comes to medications. Spiritwoman ^i^
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7/2/2012 11:54 am |
Nobody needs to be numbed and dumbed down the way people are prescribed these meds. I am convinced that it is all a preplanned determination to create a civilization of android like humans with no personal will at all. Anything that feels good or gives the illusion of being good, should be good. Right? No, not right! A false good is not necessarily a positive good, but a deceitful negative passed off as a good.(again, just my personal opinion).I myself would much rather deal with someone with maybe a slightly messed up mind with, compassion, caring, understanding and reeducation....than with a 'STEPFORD WIFE' kind of zoned out freaky type of altered human.
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7/2/2012 2:04 pm |
Nobody needs to be numbed and dumbed down the way people are prescribed these meds. I am convinced that it is all a preplanned determination to create a civilization of android like humans with no personal will at all. Anything that feels good or gives the illusion of being good, should be good. Right? No, not right! A false good is not necessarily a positive good, but a deceitful negative passed off as a good.(again, just my personal opinion).I myself would much rather deal with someone with maybe a slightly messed up mind with, compassion, caring, understanding and reeducation....than with a 'STEPFORD WIFE' kind of zoned out freaky type of altered human. Spiritwoman ^i^
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"Not seeing much difference between myself and my plants I refused meds." You make me laugh with that. I endorse what you write about a 100 % except that I have total faith in homoepathic medication and nature cure. I started my childhood with facial palsy which was treated half way when baby me had to run away in the arms of my Mom because of disturbances local disturbances engineered by a Western neighbour. That has been followed by a variety of accidents and other injuries which needed surgical intervention some 40 times, 29 out of them with GA. I went back to homoepathy soon after surgery as soon as I was out of hospital. What makes me endorse your views fully is that I still continue to do what I did when I was 25 minus age related slowing down.  Many thanks for sharing your own experience - have a wonder day and the decades ahead.  & a KOC."To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle" - Zarathustra
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7/3/2012 9:13 pm |
"Not seeing much difference between myself and my plants I refused meds." You make me laugh with that. I endorse what you write about a 100 % except that I have total faith in homoepathic medication and nature cure. I started my childhood with facial palsy which was treated half way when baby me had to run away in the arms of my Mom because of disturbances local disturbances engineered by a Western neighbour. That has been followed by a variety of accidents and other injuries which needed surgical intervention some 40 times, 29 out of them with GA. I went back to homoepathy soon after surgery as soon as I was out of hospital. What makes me endorse your views fully is that I still continue to do what I did when I was 25 minus age related slowing down. Many thanks for sharing your own experience - have a wonder day and the decades ahead. & a KOC.Spiritwoman ^i^
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