I've decided to turn this week's Gratitude Post into an exercise from my Mood Action Plan. Last August, my MCBT class was assigned to make a list of three things we like about ourselves. Things that we probably forget when we get depressed.
This post feels awkward to write in some ways. Depression is inextricably twined with negative self-image -- that's the whole point of this exercise -- but the way we're brought up makes it even harder. Naming what we like about ourselves feels so much like bragging, like arrogance; and every six year old knows that nobody likes a bragger.
Women especially are socialized to play down their own abilities and give credit to others. We're much better at telling other people they're awesome than appreciating our own awesomeness. But, again, that's the whole point of doing this. To remember that we're awesome, even when we don't feel awesome. To hang on to three things we like about ourselves, no matter how hard our illness tries makes use forget them.
In my case, the problem is not really that I forget that I have traits that I like. I just get to feeling like they don't (and will never) do me a damn bit of good. So I decided to change the terms of the assignment: I would look at how these traits do me plenty of good, because they're the ones that I use to cope with my mental illness.
I am grateful for my sense of humor, my creativity, and my curiosity.
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health insurance. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Walgreens: It's Where to Get Decent (Teva) Lamotrigine
As I mentioned here, since I wrote about my experiences with the horrible NorthStar version of lamotrigine (generic lamictal), I've noticed that the top google phrases that lead to my blog are things like "NorthStar lamotrigine" and "NorthStar lamotrigine side effects".
Lamictal is a very unusual drug in that its generic versions can vary widely, not just in the side effects produced, or even in efficacy, but the actual bioavailability of the drug itself. Officially, some generics only have 80% of the bioavailable medication that brand name Lamictal does. In fact, the only generic that is identical to brand name Lamictal is produced by the drug company Teva.
Most health plans ding you for buying a brand name drug when a generic is available. In fact, many will refuse to pay for a brand name drug at all, unless your doctor specifies it on your prescription. Obviously, then, the thing to do is get your hands on Teva lamotrigine. But not all pharmacies carry it. So where do you find it?
Lamictal is a very unusual drug in that its generic versions can vary widely, not just in the side effects produced, or even in efficacy, but the actual bioavailability of the drug itself. Officially, some generics only have 80% of the bioavailable medication that brand name Lamictal does. In fact, the only generic that is identical to brand name Lamictal is produced by the drug company Teva.
Most health plans ding you for buying a brand name drug when a generic is available. In fact, many will refuse to pay for a brand name drug at all, unless your doctor specifies it on your prescription. Obviously, then, the thing to do is get your hands on Teva lamotrigine. But not all pharmacies carry it. So where do you find it?
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Are you a Patient, Consumer, or a Client? Or Something Else Entirely?
If you haven't gathered by now, I'm a big fan of John McManamy's work. If you don't know McManamy, he's a patient advocate who's articulate, intelligent, and knowledgeable about the science of mental illness. He is an unapologetic critic of much of the psychiatric establishment.
One of his articles concerns the use of the word "consumer" to describe those of us who live in the mental health morass. McMamany decries the use of this word mainly because "consumers" have choices. Most mentally ill people have very little choice in the services we receive and the medication options available to us. Moreover, he points out, "consumers" are usually consulted as to their needs and wishes, and their experience with the product. He writes:
The answer, of course, is "never". We are not Big Pharma's customers, the health insurance companies are. We are not the insurance companies customers, employers are. Your employer does not give you a choice in insurance providers -- some of them only offer minimal coverage, others only offer coverage through one specific HMO, and others will give you a choice between one specific HMO and one specific PPO. That, of course, assumes that your employer provides health insurance at all. Or maybe you rely on an underfunded, overstaffed public program. Or maybe you're unemployed and uninsured. How much choice do you have then?
One of his articles concerns the use of the word "consumer" to describe those of us who live in the mental health morass. McMamany decries the use of this word mainly because "consumers" have choices. Most mentally ill people have very little choice in the services we receive and the medication options available to us. Moreover, he points out, "consumers" are usually consulted as to their needs and wishes, and their experience with the product. He writes:
"Tell me, when was the last time someone invited you to participate in a Risperdal or Abilify focus group? When was the last time your psychiatrist asked you to fill in a customer satisfaction survey?"
The answer, of course, is "never". We are not Big Pharma's customers, the health insurance companies are. We are not the insurance companies customers, employers are. Your employer does not give you a choice in insurance providers -- some of them only offer minimal coverage, others only offer coverage through one specific HMO, and others will give you a choice between one specific HMO and one specific PPO. That, of course, assumes that your employer provides health insurance at all. Or maybe you rely on an underfunded, overstaffed public program. Or maybe you're unemployed and uninsured. How much choice do you have then?
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