Yikes. I was first diagnosed with depression and given Effexor. It turns out I am bipolar. I don’t think I have the words to explain how bad that was for me. If I hadn’t been able to get to my psych immediately I’m sure I would’ve been 5150ed and sent to involuntary inpatient. because I was a wreck. You need to have access to and the support of your care team. I’m so happy I had the live support of my psych and therapist back then.
This is an important newsletter and although I haven't seen it personally, I'm not surprised. AI will be a great advancement for healthcare but not as a replacement for doctors, rather a great tool for doctors to use to treat their patients.
That Ai prescribing is insane! I had weekly and then monthly follow ups with my dr for over a year of being on a stable dose. We meet less regularly now but still check in for sure! Can't believe that happens
OMG. I too am all in for innovation, and AI has been helpful to me in small ways (creating client handouts, searching the scientific literature to learn more about a topic, etc.) as a mental health counselor. I agree, though, that “…this feels like a step too far, too fast, and I worry about what it could mean for people who are vulnerable and looking for help.” 100%. And you have me reflecting now that my current lull in my practice (openings not immediately filled for the first time since the pandemic began)… might just be related to people turning to AI bots for free mental health support? I would love to hear your thoughts on this possibility.
Although I live in Canada. I am enjoying your regular postings. They seem rationale and human. I try to take as few medications as possible because I feel that the more chemicals I take provides for a downward long slippery slope. At 75 years old, the only pills I take are small doses for blood pressure, a blood thinner for atrial fib, a beta clocker and a cholesterol med. I prefer a natural solution if possible including enough sleep, a good diet, a reasonable regime of exercise (nothing too obscene) yoga and meditation.
Thank you for another extremely relatable issue Dr Goodman, it's been really difficult as a medical student! I'm not sure if you saw my comment on the previous post, but I am still very interested in S.A.D and treatment for it, would love to make a post using the information you have provided if that is ok! Dw if it's not, I hope you guys had a great halloween !
Thank you so much. I’m glad the post resonated with you. Absolutely, feel free to use the information about SAD for your post! Hope you had a great Halloween too.
Without my knowledge, my new PCP sent in a referral to a virtual/AI therapy provider, forgetting that I told her I had a therapist. I looked at the website. I can’t imagine being in therapy with an AI bot instead of a human being for many reasons.
Not for nothing but meds should only be used as a last resort (if at all). Many are no better than placebos and do more harm than good. Talk therapy and natural supplements/solutions are superior. Just saying.
Do you have any qualifications to make such an uninformed comment? Do you have a mood disorder? Do you have any kind of data to back up your opinion? Unbelievable. This kind of thinking furthers stigma and lets people think they can white knuckle it or perceive it as a “failure” if they need medication. I can tell you right now I wouldn’t be alive to write this if some quack doctor or therapist preached this BS.
Actually I do have a level of qualification...and there are numerous studies of late that demonstrate many of the psych drugs are no better than placebos and if used for too long detrimental to ones health. There is no shame with having a mental illness...most of us have some level of dysfunction. The thing is the first step shouldn't be handing out a pill like a pezz dispenser. It is unfortunate that you have a mental condition and I can appreciate your struggle...but I wonder how long have you been on meds and are they still as effective. It is not unusual for practitioners to recommend weaning of the medication and/or lowering the dosage as patient often can live just as effectively without chemicals. Furthermore the long-term effects are not fully understood. So do us a favor and take a deep breath...no one is attacking you per se. Actually, I am impressed how you have been able to over come whatever malady you possess.
I truly appreciate your acknowledgment. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with people who take a holistic approach. Sleep, exercise, diet, mindfulness etc have been just as much a focus along with medication. And yes, I’ve been stable for so long that I’ve been able to lower my doses but I’ll never be able to go off them. Thanks for your perspective.
Keep on pressing forward as it’s a life long project. My experience in helping others is that things actually get better over time. Doctors don’t know why this is but believe that either the patient has better coping skills or the malady looses its impact over time (or a combination of both). Likewise remain on top of the research v-a-v meds. They do have their place but new developments do arise over time. My concern are the long term effects on one’s general health. We still don’t know. Carry on you’re doing far better than you realize 😉
I absolutely believe that the AI paid more attention to your friend than a human doctor. And I believe it because I've been misdiagnosed too many times to count, hospitalized and over/under medicated for more than 20 years.
Just two weeks ago, a doctor said they'd call me to schedule weekly appointments to manage my symptoms. I'm still waiting for a call. I've followed up, and nothing.
So I'm with your friend. If by some miracle a computer finally finds out how to help me, and it works, you bet I'm following its orders.
AI prescribing is terrifying!
It is scary to me as well!
I think AI will be in the near Future as intelligent as a Doctor and will be also possible to treat almost every mental Problem.
Yikes. I was first diagnosed with depression and given Effexor. It turns out I am bipolar. I don’t think I have the words to explain how bad that was for me. If I hadn’t been able to get to my psych immediately I’m sure I would’ve been 5150ed and sent to involuntary inpatient. because I was a wreck. You need to have access to and the support of your care team. I’m so happy I had the live support of my psych and therapist back then.
That sounds like such a scary experience. I’m really glad you had your care team there to support you through it.
Really appreciate your work. Thank you for providing these
newsletters.
Thank you for the support Karen
This is an important newsletter and although I haven't seen it personally, I'm not surprised. AI will be a great advancement for healthcare but not as a replacement for doctors, rather a great tool for doctors to use to treat their patients.
Yes I agree!
That Ai prescribing is insane! I had weekly and then monthly follow ups with my dr for over a year of being on a stable dose. We meet less regularly now but still check in for sure! Can't believe that happens
I was shocked when I heard!
First of all you guys are adorable. Secondly I am terrified of what you said about AI. I’m still speechless.
Thank you! And yes, that is how I felt when I first heard.
OMG. I too am all in for innovation, and AI has been helpful to me in small ways (creating client handouts, searching the scientific literature to learn more about a topic, etc.) as a mental health counselor. I agree, though, that “…this feels like a step too far, too fast, and I worry about what it could mean for people who are vulnerable and looking for help.” 100%. And you have me reflecting now that my current lull in my practice (openings not immediately filled for the first time since the pandemic began)… might just be related to people turning to AI bots for free mental health support? I would love to hear your thoughts on this possibility.
Very interesting thought! I’m not sure how much of an impact AI is having on that, but it’s definitely something worth keeping an eye on.
AI prescribing any type of medication is downright wrong!
PS. the family costumes are adorable!
It definitely doesn’t feel right. And thank you Nancy!
Although I live in Canada. I am enjoying your regular postings. They seem rationale and human. I try to take as few medications as possible because I feel that the more chemicals I take provides for a downward long slippery slope. At 75 years old, the only pills I take are small doses for blood pressure, a blood thinner for atrial fib, a beta clocker and a cholesterol med. I prefer a natural solution if possible including enough sleep, a good diet, a reasonable regime of exercise (nothing too obscene) yoga and meditation.
Thank you for sharing! Sounds like you’ve built a really balanced, mindful approach to your health, and I appreciate you following along from Canada.
Thank you for another extremely relatable issue Dr Goodman, it's been really difficult as a medical student! I'm not sure if you saw my comment on the previous post, but I am still very interested in S.A.D and treatment for it, would love to make a post using the information you have provided if that is ok! Dw if it's not, I hope you guys had a great halloween !
Thank you so much. I’m glad the post resonated with you. Absolutely, feel free to use the information about SAD for your post! Hope you had a great Halloween too.
Without my knowledge, my new PCP sent in a referral to a virtual/AI therapy provider, forgetting that I told her I had a therapist. I looked at the website. I can’t imagine being in therapy with an AI bot instead of a human being for many reasons.
completely understandable! It’s hard to imagine therapy being replaced by a bot
Not for nothing but meds should only be used as a last resort (if at all). Many are no better than placebos and do more harm than good. Talk therapy and natural supplements/solutions are superior. Just saying.
Do you have any qualifications to make such an uninformed comment? Do you have a mood disorder? Do you have any kind of data to back up your opinion? Unbelievable. This kind of thinking furthers stigma and lets people think they can white knuckle it or perceive it as a “failure” if they need medication. I can tell you right now I wouldn’t be alive to write this if some quack doctor or therapist preached this BS.
Actually I do have a level of qualification...and there are numerous studies of late that demonstrate many of the psych drugs are no better than placebos and if used for too long detrimental to ones health. There is no shame with having a mental illness...most of us have some level of dysfunction. The thing is the first step shouldn't be handing out a pill like a pezz dispenser. It is unfortunate that you have a mental condition and I can appreciate your struggle...but I wonder how long have you been on meds and are they still as effective. It is not unusual for practitioners to recommend weaning of the medication and/or lowering the dosage as patient often can live just as effectively without chemicals. Furthermore the long-term effects are not fully understood. So do us a favor and take a deep breath...no one is attacking you per se. Actually, I am impressed how you have been able to over come whatever malady you possess.
I truly appreciate your acknowledgment. I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with people who take a holistic approach. Sleep, exercise, diet, mindfulness etc have been just as much a focus along with medication. And yes, I’ve been stable for so long that I’ve been able to lower my doses but I’ll never be able to go off them. Thanks for your perspective.
Keep on pressing forward as it’s a life long project. My experience in helping others is that things actually get better over time. Doctors don’t know why this is but believe that either the patient has better coping skills or the malady looses its impact over time (or a combination of both). Likewise remain on top of the research v-a-v meds. They do have their place but new developments do arise over time. My concern are the long term effects on one’s general health. We still don’t know. Carry on you’re doing far better than you realize 😉
I absolutely believe that the AI paid more attention to your friend than a human doctor. And I believe it because I've been misdiagnosed too many times to count, hospitalized and over/under medicated for more than 20 years.
Just two weeks ago, a doctor said they'd call me to schedule weekly appointments to manage my symptoms. I'm still waiting for a call. I've followed up, and nothing.
So I'm with your friend. If by some miracle a computer finally finds out how to help me, and it works, you bet I'm following its orders.