I have mixed feelings about psychiatrists. On the positive side, I think they play a crucial role when it comes to mental health. Countless people need them. They have been highly trained, and have the necessary credentials for their profession. In both Canada and the USA, it takes a minimum of 12 years for their training. This costs an individual approximately $ 330,000 in both countries. They work extremely hard, and most of them take on a lot of debt. In Canada, the average salary for a psychiatrist is about $ 320,000. In the United States, their average salary is about $ 265,000. They have a very difficult job, and save lives, so I think they should be paid a lot of money.

I have seen about 20 different psychiatrists in my life. I have liked a few of them, but, overall, I’ve had negative experiences with many of them. Many were very arrogant, and I hate arrogance ! These people also lacked compassion. This led to some serious problems when I was under their care. I wouldn’t put up with being treated this way, and always stood up for myself. As a result, these clashes didn’t end up in my favour, especially when I was a patient in a psychiatric ward. These people had all the power. Their main weapon was heavy duty anti-psychotic psych meds. Some of these drugs were incredibly powerful, and had terrible side effects. ( Thorazine, Haldol, and Risperdal ). I was over medicated, and couldn’t even talk. I felt like a zombie. It would bring me out of my mania, but it was a terrible feeling. Because of this, there were times when I refused to take these meds. I would be forced to take them anyway. Sometimes these altercations ended up with me being strapped down to a stretcher, and isolated in a small room. Each time this happened, was a horrific experience.

The few psychiatrists I did like, treated me well, whether I was in a state of mania, and a patient in a psych ward, or if I was in a “normal” mood state, while in their private office. None of these people were arrogant. They treated me with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Because they have such an important job, I understand why psychiatrists get paid so much. However, I don’t like the fact that at the same time, people with a mental illness (es) living on a lifetime disability pension ( like myself ), are only getting paid between $ 9,600- $ 17, 000/ year. ( I only get $ 9,600/year from my Canada Pension Plan disability). This is well below the poverty level for Canada. Psychiatrists are getting rich because of my comrades and I.

Psychiatrists and Spirituality ( re: mania )

I’m not religious, but I’ve had many “ spiritual experiences “, both in a state of mania, and when in a “ normal “ mood state. Several times, while being treated by psychiatrists in psychiatric wards during manic episodes, I was diagnosed as being “ delusional “ ( having false beliefs) , and “ psychotic “ ( out of touch with reality) because of these spiritual experiences. ( Also why I was put on these “ anti-psychotic medications). Many times I sensed the presence of God coming from within, or through people. Some psychiatrists don’t even believe God exists. If God really does exist, and a psychiatrist doesn’t think so, is this not a “ false belief “,  making that psychiatrist “delusional “ ?

The brain is incredibly complex. It has over a hundred billion neurons. Doctors and scientists still only know how 10%-15% of the brain works. Psychiatrists are much too hasty to diagnose their patients spiritual experiences as delusional and psychotic. I think they need to learn a lot more about the “ spiritual realm “.

Psychiatrists have put me in ICU wards several times. Obviously, they had their reasons for this, and I will be the first one to admit that I was very mentally ill each time this happened. However, I was never violent. I never hit anyone, and wasn’t physically aggressive. Other patients were though. Many times I was scared, and felt threatened. And, I was struck by other patients. It was awful. Psychiatrists should never had put me in the same ward as these violent people.

In a state of mania, but when still doing quite well, I could talk circles around these psychiatrists. I wouldn’t hesitate to challenge them verbally. One time, my psychiatrist, Dr. Loewen  ( who I liked ), didn’t know what to do with me, so she had the director of psychiatry, Dr. Latimer ( who I didn’t like) , take over my case. When I told him that I was a golf professional, he thought I was delusional. He didn’t believe me. Again, the psychiatrist is the delusional one here !

Some Psychiatrists I Liked

On a more positive note, there were some psychiatrists who I liked. I already said I liked Dr. Loewen. I had Dr. Diaz for 20 years, before he retired. We had a great relationship. We only spoke twice a year, for at least an hour each time. I never needed Dr.Diaz for any “ talk therapy “, but we always had great conversations. He was a very good psychiatrist. At the end of our last session, he shook my hand, and said “ It’s been an honour and a pleasure “.  I expressed to him that I felt the same way towards him. I loved Dr. Phil Severy from the infamous Riverview Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.
A good friend of mine has 2 friends that are psychiatrists. They play golf together on a regular basis. My friend is a good judge of character. They must be good people.

I’m certain that most people entering this profession do so knowing they will be making the big bucks, and look forward to the prestige that comes with the title. However, I also think that most people are decent human beings, and that the majority who are working as a psychiatrist truly do so with the intent of helping those of us living with a mental illness (es ). So, like I said in the beginning, I have mixed feelings about psychiatrists.

 

 

 

 

Things the average person without a mental illness take for granted, and don’t give much thought to, can be a challenge for someone with  a mental illness (es).

The following are some examples that can help improve your mood, and your mental health :

*making your bed *having a shower *shave*eating properly *making a “to do” list *finishing your “to do” list ( it feels good to get things accomplished) *go for a walk, or do some other kind of exercise *play a sport *meditate *talking/socializing with others (on the phone, or in person) *reading *google, or do some work on your computer *get enough sleep and rest *helping someone else, or volunteering your time *hobbies like arts and crafts *live in the moment, and take one day at a time.

The main aspect to consider is acknowledging these as victories, no matter how small they may seem in the moment. The small victories are what keep us motivated to tackle the larger ones.

What I do every day to get through the day (despite struggling with mental illness)

I struggle with depression and anxiety on a daily basis. I seem to be really good at “making a mountain, out of a mole hill”. The smallest things can be overwhelming for me. Because of this, I procrastinate a lot. With my depression, I lose my inspiration, motivation, and confidence. This can apply to many things. Being excited and inspired by something is a great feeling, but this is the opposite. Depression  affects me mentally, physically, and emotionally. Mainly I have no energy a lot of the time. Having anxiety is no picnic either. Depression affects me the most. The best way for me to combat this, is to try and keep my mind busy with other things, so I don’t dwell on how bad I’m feeling.

Keep moving, Keep going !

In the past, when I was really depressed, I spent a great deal of my time in bed, or laying on the couch. Now, I won’t allow myself to do this. I literally force myself to stay on my feet. Often, it takes all I have to just have a shower, or to stand at the kitchen sink to do the dishes. I have to push myself to do these things, but I do it. I always feel better while doing even a small amount of exercise, including having a shower. I have my own calendar. I write down whatever I need to do, for almost every day. I get a small victory every time I put a check mark beside these tasks.

My daily routine

I’ve had the same daily routine for the last 20 years. It’s a little mundane, but it works for me. I go to bed at the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning. I always get at least 8 hours of sleep. I eat my meals at the same time, which is especially important because I have type 2 diabetes. And, I eat healthy food. Our dog is getting old, and can’t go for walks anymore, but we used to go for walks every morning after breakfast. Just getting outside, and getting some sun in my eyes helps a lot. I do quite a bit of yard work in the spring, summer, and fall.

I try to do some writing (work on a blog, etc.) almost every afternoon. This is another victory every time I do this. After this, I have a nap before supper. My wife joins me for this on her days off. When she’s working in the evening, I usually work on my writing. On her days off, we watch T.V. at night. We end our nights by reading in bed for about 30 minutes, before going to sleep.
Taking all of my daily medication (including psych meds) is also very important. For the most part, I stay in the moment, and take one day at a time. Keeping my stress as low as possible is extremely important to me.
For really important things, like going out to get my bloodwork done, I may not feel like doing it, but I always manage to push myself to get it done. It will feel good to take credit for these “wins”, even if they are small ones.

Because I’m on a lifetime disability pension, and only get $800.00/month, I spend 95% of my time at home. My wife and I only have one vehicle. This restricts my lifestyle a lot. Writing has become the only job I can do, without becoming mentally ill. I’m extremely fortunate that I have an amazing wife who works, and supports both of us. Any work someone with a mental illness can do, will make them feel better about themselves.
Don’t be hard on yourself. If you don’t get something done today, you can try again tomorrow.