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guru
Super Member (250+ posts)
288 Posts
Gratitude: 51
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 Posted - 12/10/2016 : 08:26:21
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You might want to see at least 3 pdocs, with their appraisal and recommended meds- before you choose a treatment. Specifically 3 known to having different approaches and methods.
Yes - the lines may seem confusing, but a second or third opinion can make all the difference.
We are lucky 'cos there is a lot posted in mytherapy about different reactions to different meds......the consensus is that some that work for some people, but do not work for others. Read carefully the section on 'Medications.'
The critical phase is the beginning, when the patient has accepted, and not rebelled - to take medication. But this means that with a guardian family member or friend or counselor, different meds are tried in the beginning phases, as a trial period. Allow for flexibility. A lot of flexibility - where the patient has some room and 'voice' to discuss possibly better alternative treatments working with his/her pdoc.
The second, critical phase is intermediary, when side effects pop up. Particular and essential monitoring effort has to be given to this stage, where the med in question may be causing quite painful drawbacks...this is time to refocus, go back to the 3 pdoc theory and rehash another treatment that could be more effective. Keyword: be patient.
Look for 'consensus' from your pdocs about the right diagnostic and treatment. This vouchsafes a 'safer' approach, and builds up trust. For example, it is better to have three pdocs recommending unanimously, let's say, Abilify or risperidone - than a single one.
The maintenance dose - usually two to three months after given the medication, is also crucial, and requires observation. Feel free to consult the 'holy trinity' of pdocs, and also keep 3 but reject those that just seem to be bossing you around, or playing with you, cluelessly, like a laboratory rat of experiments.....
Also be very careful with psychoanalysis- rather than conversation-based psychotherapy- because 'analysis' for schizophrenics may mean taking a 'match' and lighting up a huge fire. The amount of subconscious material that comes forth in psychoanalysis may be too intense to handle.
You may also want to keep two different pdocs- one for psychotherapy, and one, who you've chosen out of the 3 - for your upkeep in prescriptions.  |
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The golden rule of 3 pdocs
