JustThinking

Jay, I too have seen the effects of the meds in seemingly stabilizing some people. The key is SOME people. I have one friend who, until recently was on 6 different meds and almost twice as many labels!! (Bi-Polar-Manic-depressive-etc-etc) AND had more problems than when she started taking them. Her doctor prescribed each new med to try to handle the side effects of the other meds! She was a WRECK. Couldn't sleep, eat, Suicidal and homocidal feelings, had mood swings and a bunch of other physiological and mental difficulties. When she told her doc (psychiatrist) that she was going to stop taking them, he almost blew a gasket! He grimly stated that she would probably not survive - but she was ready to kill herself while on the meds. Well, long story shortened... She is doing quite well now, is taking NO meds, lots of vitimins and is back to normal. Getting her back was not easy. Some time away from her chaotic envrionment, tons of family/friends support, proper nutrition and re-establishing some goals for her to shoot toward - were the majority of the steps. It can be done - but won't be done by the brotherhood of Psych/Pharma - there is no MONEY in it for them. I am truelly Glad your wife is better. Sometimes medication IS warranted - like giving a painkiller or sedative during a medical procedure or shortly after. There was NO end in sight for my friend - she was meant to stay on the meds (and be a guinea pig for all the newest) for the rest of her "life" - which she wasn't really having. Seek a nutritional professional to address those "chemical imbalances". My wife thinks I am a conspiracy nut, SOMETIMES. Less nowadays. The proof is out there. Don't buy the psycho-babble. Research.

I love that saying "like hearding cats" - I will definately remember that one! However, I don't think any group is really that hard to organize IF there is a Defined, Acheivable PURPOSE, that the members can get behind. On top of that, the Vets have had the experience of "chains of command" and are quite familiar with the organizational aspect of individuals being in charge of certain areas - with bosses and subordinates. Unlike civilian jobs, Vets are under contract, so they tend to tough it out and make things happen - even if they don't agree with all that is being done. If you had a strong, realistic purpose, I think Vets would be the best qualified to seeing it through. I would absolutely support any group that helped (truely helped) Vets in any way. JT PS - I'd love to post the stats for my survey here - can you take a minute and do it (request to all reading this). The link again- http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=754790

I have been asked many times for the results of the survey above (as part of the last answer). I am TOTALLY willing to share the results on this forum and in other places I have it posted (it is YOUR opinion, afterall). Although I am well on my way to getting it (37 so far), I haven't yet gotten the 100 I was shooting for and I don't want to sway the opinion of those who haven't taken it yet (kinda like showing exit polls before the voting is completed...). The only way I could inform you of the progress before it is done would be to email you - You could help me get the number sooner, it doesn't take much time (9 questions) and your opinion is very valuable. Rest assured, when it is done, I will post the results here. Thanks VERY MUCH to those who have done it!

I am working on a project to get some REAL help for my fellow veterans. I tried to post a 9 question survey on Craigslist, but found out that there was no way to do it anonymously. As my intention is NOT to get contacts or email address, I had to find another way - and I did. Could you PLEASE at least look at the survey at the following link and fill it out if you are comfortable with it. http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=754790 or <A HREF="http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=754790" > Click Here to take the survey </A> My point for doing it is: I don't think our veterans are getting the help they need (based on conversations and experience) AND I intend to do SOMETHING about it. Thanks. Let me know if you have any trouble getting to or doing the survey.

I couldn't agree with you more. When I was in school I had to study a lot of that psycho-babble too. My conclusion= they are just grasping at straws in an effort to GRAB more money. MY MONEY (and yours). Those "doctors" are no doubt in bed with the pharmacutical companys to invent more drugs (which I, and my freinds, have been offered) to make more money! What a scam! Information is POWER. If a man empties his purse into his head no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. -Benjamin Franklin