in 1975 and again in 1980 i was incarcerated without warrant in psychiatric facilities and subjected to coerced drugging and "behavioural engineering" which twice drove me to attempt suicide
my father was twice given ECT and died in his mid-fifties
psychiatry is mostly bad medicine commonly used for political reasons
I respectfully disagree here.
You have had negative experiences here and I accept that you would have this viewpoint as a result. It is quite understandable, especially when coupled with previous Scientology indoctrination.
Psychiatry in 1975 was a different animal to today. It was different to the 50s, 30s and the 1800s. Yes, it is still imperfect and sometimes to a significant degree. But there are ongoing researches and treatments are modified according to the outcomes of these studies. That suggests evolution of a science.
Scientology only accepts its own flawed theories and will not change a thing (except for marketing strategies). The ego of the church will not permit effective change in case it brings itself down or becomes effective. That's pretty obvious to most of us here. Scientology does nothing for folks with mental conditions either. Let them die and we'll pick it up next lifetime. Sorry folks, but for me, that attitude is not good enough nor right.
Which only leaves psychiatry to deal with the mentally damaged. Who the hell do the church think they are criticising psychiatry when they do Dr. Do Fuck All themselves? (He's worse than Dr Dolittle)..
Take them off their drugs and add to the problems?
ECT is still used today. But it is done a lot different now. All parties (in Australia), including the patient, consent to the procedure and it is only used now where it may be pretty much an only option and under anaesthesia. It is generally used as a last resort thing when other treatments have produced little result and it is not considered practical in many cases anymore. It is usually avoided. Many people have attested to positive results in these cases. No, I am not aware of negatives at this time.
Drugs are used to control certain conditions. I concur with Mark Baker's previous post. Sure, the pros get it wrong sometimes. It happens. Happens in every field. Perfection is an illusion, yet Scientology expects it of others but ignore that on themselves. Hypocrisy in action.
Mental illness is an imperfect science. It rarely presents perfect casebook diagnoses. People are different and respond to tings differently. It often means these people are subjected to a range of treatments before they find the right one for them, if they can be helped. Some really cannot be.
Drugs can help people to function without having to be locked up. Seems to be a better option to me.
I feel here personally that a lot of the resistance to psychiatry comes from church indoctrination and not necessarily personal experiences or rational research.
I am not dismissing your experiences CB, as I said from what you experienced you have an understandable reaction to the subject. But I feel you need to revisit the whole deal with a different viewpoint if it doesn't cause you too much pain.
I would like to know how many people this profession are really helping as opposed to how many they are harming. By facts though, not opinions.
Psychiatry has been used both politically and militarily throughout the ages. It doesn't necessarily mean it is the core of it as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes good things come from these aspects as well.
At least someone is trying to do something for sufferers and not just stick them on some desert island to fade away like they used to.
Schizophrenics, Bipolar and anxiety sufferers, to name a few cannot survive without medication and psychiatric support. I personally could not let these people be cast away like trash like Scientologists would and feel right about it. They are after all, human beings too with a right to a life...
