XPOST: [PathOfHealth #6736] Shopping for diagnoses, medical model

[Guest guest]

Many of us have been taught, from the earliest age, that whenever we

experience a challenging symptom, we " should " visit a doctor. In effect, we

have been taught to go shopping for a diagnosis, hoping somehow to benefit

from such a label.

 

Medical-model thinking in general, and our American " health care " system in

particular, train us all to seek out a diagnosis whenever we experience

something " wrong " . We are taught that obtaining a diagnosis is far

preferable to letting Nature run its course.

 

In America, seeking a diagnosis has been elevated to a full-blown shopping

experience. We can buy second and even third " opinions " , we can visit

" specialists " , we can choose from an almost endless array of " tests " . We can

seek out " complementary " and " alternative " and " holistic " practitioners, and

we can even visit " healers " of every conceivable variety. In fact, we can

occupy a significant portion of our total waking hours sitting at medical

and " nonmedical " offices and facilities, filling out forms, and living in

fear in response to the " information " we have purchased.

 

All of which might lead us to ask, " What is a diagnosis, in a modern medical

context? "

 

Diagnosis means to learn (gnosis) apart (dia), hence, a distinguishing or

discerning. In medicine, to diagnose is to recognize and name the exact

character of a disease or a problem, by conducting an examination. In other

words, we examine something, we " recognize " its nature or defining

characteristic(s), and we assign it a name.

 

All well and good. But in modern medical practice, how are diagnoses

actually used? As far as I can tell, diagnoses serve two specific purposes,

both interrelated:

 

- A diagnosis triggers a specific regimen of treatment (drugs, surgery,

etc.). That is, a diagnosis indicates what treatment is " appropriate " .

 

- Having determined what treatment is " appropriate " , the diagnosis

" determines " what insurers and government will (and will not) pay for.

 

In other words, diagnoses are used to meter and regulate the flow of

treatments (and including drugs and procedures) and funds throughout the

medical industry.

 

Ergo, unless we plan to pursue some course of treatment and/or to seek

insurance or government money to help us respond to a " condition " , then

shopping for a diagnosis may serve no constructive purpose at all, and in

fact may engender fear within us and lead us to misdirect our valuable

energy and other resources.

__

If you wish to learn more about this topic, I invite you to participate in

our Getting Started on the Path of Health teleconferences, and in particular

in the second TC in the series, entitled " Messages from Within: Exploring

Symptoms and Senses " (February 7).

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Elchanan,

 

After reading this, I have several feelings, and questions.

 

First off, I do believe that medicine today has evolved into a " cash cow " for

those involved in the " Health care industry " . I agree that what they see before

all else is dollar signs. I don't trust the entire medical profession in the

least. I do believe that with the advent of HMO's, etc.....the practice of

medicine is pretty much a joke.

 

 

However, I do also see that there are places where it has made a difference.

What about in Africa, for example where there have been so many people dying.

There have been doctors that have gone there and reversed (in many cases) the

mortality rate? I do believe that there are many countries where doctors have

gone in and helped alot of people.I do believe that in the begining when people

go to medical school, they have all the good intentions of helping and healing

people. I do believe that somewhere down the line the line between helping and

harming (because of selfish motives) gets blurred. There have been

break-through's. There have been things discovered that have made a hugh impact

on people all over the world.

 

If people did not turn to doctors to help, (especially when a life-threatening

illness strikes),then wouldn't more people die of their illness than are?

 

What alternative to people have? Why isn't the " raw lifestyle " more advertised "

Why don't more people either know about it or embrace it as a " natural " healer

of all ills?? I do embrace it and am happy to have discovered it, however, it

seems that so many people I talk to about it thinks it's " extreme " , among other

comments. You don't hear about it in mainstream media, you don't read about it

in mainstream print (at least to the degree) that you do sad or other type

diets.

 

 

This is interesting.

 

 

Jeannie

 

 

 

 

your time is the most cherished gift of all, tomorrow is promised to no one.

 

 

 

 

Elchanan <Elchanan

rawfood

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 7:28:10 AM

[Raw Food] XPOST: [PathOfHealth #6736] Shopping for diagnoses, medical

model

 

 

Many of us have been taught, from the earliest age, that whenever we

experience a challenging symptom, we " should " visit a doctor. In effect, we

have been taught to go shopping for a diagnosis, hoping somehow to benefit

from such a label.

 

Medical-model thinking in general, and our American " health care " system in

particular, train us all to seek out a diagnosis whenever we experience

something " wrong " . We are taught that obtaining a diagnosis is far

preferable to letting Nature run its course.

 

In America, seeking a diagnosis has been elevated to a full-blown shopping

experience. We can buy second and even third " opinions " , we can visit

" specialists " , we can choose from an almost endless array of " tests " . We can

seek out " complementary " and " alternative " and " holistic " practitioners, and

we can even visit " healers " of every conceivable variety. In fact, we can

occupy a significant portion of our total waking hours sitting at medical

and " nonmedical " offices and facilities, filling out forms, and living in

fear in response to the " information " we have purchased.

 

All of which might lead us to ask, " What is a diagnosis, in a modern medical

context? "

 

Diagnosis means to learn (gnosis) apart (dia), hence, a distinguishing or

discerning. In medicine, to diagnose is to recognize and name the exact

character of a disease or a problem, by conducting an examination. In other

words, we examine something, we " recognize " its nature or defining

characteristic(s), and we assign it a name.

 

All well and good. But in modern medical practice, how are diagnoses

actually used? As far as I can tell, diagnoses serve two specific purposes,

both interrelated:

 

- A diagnosis triggers a specific regimen of treatment (drugs, surgery,

etc.). That is, a diagnosis indicates what treatment is " appropriate " .

 

- Having determined what treatment is " appropriate " , the diagnosis

" determines " what insurers and government will (and will not) pay for.

 

In other words, diagnoses are used to meter and regulate the flow of

treatments (and including drugs and procedures) and funds throughout the

medical industry.

 

Ergo, unless we plan to pursue some course of treatment and/or to seek

insurance or government money to help us respond to a " condition " , then

shopping for a diagnosis may serve no constructive purpose at all, and in

fact may engender fear within us and lead us to misdirect our valuable

energy and other resources.

__

If you wish to learn more about this topic, I invite you to participate in

our Getting Started on the Path of Health teleconferences, and in particular

in the second TC in the series, entitled " Messages from Within: Exploring

Symptoms and Senses " (February 7).

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

While I agree entirely that our medical system is

corrupt and that it is focused on the " bottom line " , I

do still see that there are times when a medical

professional is necessary, even if we don't see eye to

eye wth them.

 

A personal example: I have been dealing with anxiety

issues for the past 8 months. I've discussed this

before, and have thought about changing jobs, but I

truly believe that it would only alleviate the anxiety

momentarily, and then it would be back in full swing.

Being a " mental health professional, " I am very aware

of diagnosis and treatments that will be offered to

me. I need to see a professional who is licensed to

diagnose my problem (which, based on symptoms, is

generalized anxiety disorder coupled with panic

disorder), so that I will have the necessary

treatments available to me. Do I want to take a

medication that could potentially be harmful to me or

my body? NOT AT ALL. Do I want to be able to live as

a functioning adult? YES. There are many theories

behind what causes GAD and panic disorder

(biochemically, that is). What is complicated about

these disorders is that there is no identifiable cause

for the anxiety, or for the attacks. What tends to

happen with Panic Disorder is that individuals will

begin avoiding situations/locations where they had a

panic attack, however b/c there is no identifiable

" trigger " to the attacks, the amount of places they

are avoiding increases, and it becomes very easy to

develop an intense fear of leaving your house or a

" safe " place.

 

Basically what I am saying is that sometimes, there is

no identifiable cause. There is no way to change your

lifestyle, habits, etc- to eliminate the cause of the

symptoms. GAD and panic disorders are caused by a

lack of seratonin in the brain and an unnecessary

increase in adrenaline. Therapies for it include

medication that will assist your brain in seratonin

production, and cognitive behavioral therapy to

provide the individual with a skill set to use when

feeling anxiety. b/c I am familiar wth behavioral

therapies and often use them with my clients, I

believe that it is time for me to seek medication to

assist my brain in the healing process.

 

If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

medication or illegal drugs, share.

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

On Wednesday 04 July 2007 14:09, Kerri Myers wrote:

> If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

> medication or illegal drugs, share.  

 

Aren't bananas supposed to have this effect?

 

neal.

p.s. Maca is supposed to have a harmonising and balancing effect on the

hormones. It may help, I don't know.

[Guest guest]

Kerri,

I agree that there are times that we do need medical advice.

Without it, I would probably still be walking on crutches after I tore

my meniscus in two places on April 3rd. The surgery was awful, but the

alternative was worse. I couldn't straighten out my right leg OR put

any weight on it. Now my knee is almost as good as new - still working

on strengthening it with exercise at the gym and at home. The

orthopedic surgeon was great at giving me advice about physical therapy

AND the correct exercises to do at the gym and at home. His knowledge

and advice was invaluable to me at the time!

Lynne

P. S. I wish I had an answer to your question about seratonin. I hope

someone in the group can help you with that!

 

> While I agree entirely that our medical system is

> corrupt and that it is focused on the " bottom line " , I

> do still see that there are times when a medical

> professional is necessary, even if we don't see eye to

> eye wth them.

>

> A personal example: I have been dealing with anxiety

> issues for the past 8 months. I've discussed this

> before, and have thought about changing jobs, but I

> truly believe that it would only alleviate the anxiety

> momentarily, and then it would be back in full swing.

> Being a " mental health professional, " I am very aware

> of diagnosis and treatments that will be offered to

> me. I need to see a professional who is licensed to

> diagnose my problem (which, based on symptoms, is

> generalized anxiety disorder coupled with panic

> disorder), so that I will have the necessary

> treatments available to me. Do I want to take a

> medication that could potentially be harmful to me or

> my body? NOT AT ALL. Do I want to be able to live as

> a functioning adult? YES. There are many theories

> behind what causes GAD and panic disorder

> (biochemically, that is). What is complicated about

> these disorders is that there is no identifiable cause

> for the anxiety, or for the attacks. What tends to

> happen with Panic Disorder is that individuals will

> begin avoiding situations/locations where they had a

> panic attack, however b/c there is no identifiable

> " trigger " to the attacks, the amount of places they

> are avoiding increases, and it becomes very easy to

> develop an intense fear of leaving your house or a

> " safe " place.

>

> Basically what I am saying is that sometimes, there is

> no identifiable cause. There is no way to change your

> lifestyle, habits, etc- to eliminate the cause of the

> symptoms. GAD and panic disorders are caused by a

> lack of seratonin in the brain and an unnecessary

> increase in adrenaline. Therapies for it include

> medication that will assist your brain in seratonin

> production, and cognitive behavioral therapy to

> provide the individual with a skill set to use when

> feeling anxiety. b/c I am familiar wth behavioral

> therapies and often use them with my clients, I

> believe that it is time for me to seek medication to

> assist my brain in the healing process.

>

> If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

> medication or illegal drugs, share.

>

> ________

> Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who

> knows. Answers - Check it out.

> http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469

> <http://answers./dir/?link=list & sid=396545469>

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

Kerri Myers

>GAD and panic disorders are caused by a

lack of seratonin in the brain and an unnecessary

increase in adrenaline. Therapies for it include

medication that will assist your brain in seratonin

production, and cognitive behavioral therapy to

provide the individual with a skill set to use when

feeling anxiety. b/c I am familiar wth behavioral

therapies and often use them with my clients, I

believe that it is time for me to seek medication to

assist my brain in the healing process.

 

>If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

medication or illegal drugs, share.

 

Hi Kerri,

If there's a physical reason for something, then there is a physical " cure "

for it, that doesn't involve drugs. If your endocrine system is out of whack

(as indicated by the abnormal levels of adrenalin and seratonin), then you

need to get it back into whack, so to speak.

 

I'm a newbie to raw foods, still learning what works for me and my boy, so I

don't know a specific formula, if there even is one, to heal the endocrine

system in particular, though I'd hazard a guess that raw foods in general

will help. I have read in the past that brazil nuts are recommended to new

mothers to help with post natal depression, and St John's Wort (a herb, so

yes, a remedy), as a general natural therapy, not usually recommended for

nursing mothers though.

 

You said you know the behavioural therapies for anxiety, and use them with

your clients, but do you use them yourself?

 

Caron

[Guest guest]

I do use the behavioural therapies on myself, which is

why I am at the point of considering medication for

the problem. The behavioural therapies that are used

for anxiety disorders are recognizing the symptoms and

knowing that you are not dying or trapped, stepping

away from the situation, and doing other things that

are relaxing to you (for me its counting, showering,

yoga, and running).

 

 

--- Caron <carongroups wrote:

 

>

> -

> Kerri Myers

> >GAD and panic disorders are caused by a

> lack of seratonin in the brain and an unnecessary

> increase in adrenaline. Therapies for it include

> medication that will assist your brain in seratonin

> production, and cognitive behavioral therapy to

> provide the individual with a skill set to use when

> feeling anxiety. b/c I am familiar wth behavioral

> therapies and often use them with my clients, I

> believe that it is time for me to seek medication to

> assist my brain in the healing process.

>

> >If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

> medication or illegal drugs, share.

>

> Hi Kerri,

> If there's a physical reason for something, then

> there is a physical " cure "

> for it, that doesn't involve drugs. If your

> endocrine system is out of whack

> (as indicated by the abnormal levels of adrenalin

> and seratonin), then you

> need to get it back into whack, so to speak.

>

> I'm a newbie to raw foods, still learning what works

> for me and my boy, so I

> don't know a specific formula, if there even is one,

> to heal the endocrine

> system in particular, though I'd hazard a guess that

> raw foods in general

> will help. I have read in the past that brazil nuts

> are recommended to new

> mothers to help with post natal depression, and St

> John's Wort (a herb, so

> yes, a remedy), as a general natural therapy, not

> usually recommended for

> nursing mothers though.

>

> You said you know the behavioural therapies for

> anxiety, and use them with

> your clients, but do you use them yourself?

>

> Caron

>

>

 

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

Get the free toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware

protection.

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[Guest guest]

This is just me, but I know myself fairly well. If I worked day in

and day out with people with mental health problems, I would begin to

develope them myself.

Now whether the problems I developed would be real or psycological, I

don't know. But I feel, in time, that I would begin to take on a lot

of the symptoms my patience have.

 

 

Belinda

 

 

 

> I do use the behavioural therapies on myself, which is

> why I am at the point of considering medication for

> the problem. The behavioural therapies that are used

> for anxiety disorders are recognizing the symptoms and

> knowing that you are not dying or trapped, stepping

> away from the situation, and doing other things that

> are relaxing to you (for me its counting, showering,

> yoga, and running).

>

>

> --- Caron <carongroups wrote:

>

> >

> > -

> > Kerri Myers

> > >GAD and panic disorders are caused by a

> > lack of seratonin in the brain and an unnecessary

> > increase in adrenaline. Therapies for it include

> > medication that will assist your brain in seratonin

> > production, and cognitive behavioral therapy to

> > provide the individual with a skill set to use when

> > feeling anxiety. b/c I am familiar wth behavioral

> > therapies and often use them with my clients, I

> > believe that it is time for me to seek medication to

> > assist my brain in the healing process.

> >

> > >If anyone knows how to increase seratonin without

> > medication or illegal drugs, share.

> >

> > Hi Kerri,

> > If there's a physical reason for something, then

> > there is a physical " cure "

> > for it, that doesn't involve drugs. If your

> > endocrine system is out of whack

> > (as indicated by the abnormal levels of adrenalin

> > and seratonin), then you

> > need to get it back into whack, so to speak.

> >

> > I'm a newbie to raw foods, still learning what works

> > for me and my boy, so I

> > don't know a specific formula, if there even is one,

> > to heal the endocrine

> > system in particular, though I'd hazard a guess that

> > raw foods in general

> > will help. I have read in the past that brazil nuts

> > are recommended to new

> > mothers to help with post natal depression, and St

> > John's Wort (a herb, so

> > yes, a remedy), as a general natural therapy, not

> > usually recommended for

> > nursing mothers though.

> >

> > You said you know the behavioural therapies for

> > anxiety, and use them with

> > your clients, but do you use them yourself?

> >

> > Caron

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

____________________

______________

> Get the free toolbar and rest assured with the added

security of spyware protection.

> http://new.toolbar./toolbar/features/norton/index.php

>

[Guest guest]

-

Kerri Myers

>I do use the behavioural therapies on myself, which is

why I am at the point of considering medication for

the problem. The behavioural therapies that are used

for anxiety disorders are recognizing the symptoms and

knowing that you are not dying or trapped, stepping

away from the situation, and doing other things that

are relaxing to you (for me its counting, showering,

yoga, and running).

 

Are breathing techniques part of it? I've had some situations of panic, due

to some real life threats, and have found that deep breathing helps calm

things down, as adrenalin affects respiration as well as heartbeat. Perhaps

focusing on breathing throughout the day might prevent attacks, as you then

don't need adrenals to kick off more rapid breathing (this all made sense

before I woke up, not doing too well at explaining it now though, hehe).

 

Caron

[Guest guest]

I definitely use breathing techniques, and find them

to be very helpful. I think it's just hard b/c I

realize other people are not having to do things to

keep themselves from panicking.

>

> Are breathing techniques part of it? I've had some

> situations of panic, due

> to some real life threats, and have found that deep

> breathing helps calm

> things down, as adrenalin affects respiration as

> well as heartbeat. Perhaps

> focusing on breathing throughout the day might

> prevent attacks, as you then

> don't need adrenals to kick off more rapid breathing

> (this all made sense

> before I woke up, not doing too well at explaining

> it now though, hehe).

>

> Caron

>

>

 

 

 

 

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____

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[Guest guest]

-

Kerri Myers

>I definitely use breathing techniques, and find them

to be very helpful. I think it's just hard b/c I

realize other people are not having to do things to

keep themselves from panicking.

 

I know exactly how you feel, having lived with chronic pain and fatigue for

years. That's why I'm here, trying yet another " cure " . I'm hoping this will

be my last, it certainly makes more sense than all the others! It makes

sense because my body used to work as good as anyone else's, so

theoretically, it should still work as well as anyone else's (or better,

given the definition of " well " these days). Every symptom I've had, right

from the start, can be traced back to the foods I eat, if I think about it,

so that's what I'm changing. I know I can take sleeping pills to help with

the insomnia, and pain pills to help with the all-over-body pain, and

metformin to help with the insulin and blood sugar issues, and fat blockers

to help with losing weight, but all those pills combined have so many

side-effects, it's just not worth it. The sleeping pills would make it

impossible to care for my son, because waking up before they've worn off is

like trying to shake yourself out of a coma; the insulin and fat pills would

pose a risk to him though breastmilk, so I'd have to stop feeding him (not

to mention the effects they have on me, I've been on the metformin before);

the pain pills have bad effects on blood, liver, kidneys, membranes, and so

on, besides being rather ineffective after a while. Overall, the damage done

to my body and my life, as well as those I love, is just not worth it.

What's the point of removing my pain if I'm going to die of liver failure?

Changing my food intake, however, is not only easy if I ignore the cravings

(which, granted, isn't so easy some days!), it's also beneficial in every

way, because it nourishes my body, rather than damaging it, if I eat the

right foods, and I'm hoping it will remove all the negative symptoms as

well. So far it's made my son 10000% easier to deal with, so I'm not only

enjoying him more, I've also got more time to rest myself, and take care of

myself.

 

Because it's all about me ;o) Really though, I know how frustrating it is to

be impaired by your body not working as it should, and how easy medication

seems, and how very tempting it is to just take it and be able to stop

trying. It's worth finding an alternative though, YOU are worth it.

 

Caron