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I didn't mean to say so much and ramble on and on. I think it's because I just spent all day at a hospital watching some very sick people who were there because they needed some psych meds.

No, you are exactly right and I agree with everything you said. I was very casual and tossed off a post on a serious subject without fully explaining myself. I do feel that, once on the correct meds, there will be a larger reaction during the withdrawel for such a patient than might be the case (notice, "might") if they stop their meds. That is the total extent of the conventional wisdom from my time on an ambulance way back when (1970 to around 1976 in the NY City area). It's not that the meds make the condition worse, it's that the withdrawel from the meds can exagerate the symptoms that might (notice, "might") have not been so severe had they not taken the meds in the first place. Of course, that assumes that they could have gone on without the meds, which is a big (and probably wrong) assumption. As I read what you wrote on the subject I think you're saying the same thing and I think you're saying it much better than I have.

And the comments about the sedative/hypnotics are exactly in line with (but much better stated) than what I have understood to be the case.

I got out of the business all those years ago because I could no longer deal with the emotional price I had to pay. I was never bothered by an emergency, no matter how traumatic (except crispy critters) because I had a job to do and was able to turn off all emotional reaction. But on a professional ambulance you are mostly doing "routine transports" from hospital to hospital, nursing home to doctor or some type of treatment or therapy. Under those circumstances you have to allow some sort of emotional connection to the person you are transporting. What's worst was the regular appointments, "Bob on Thursday morning" or "Martha's weekly accupuncture treatment for MS." You get to know the people. You (I) can't avoid developing bonds and caring. You either watch them go on with the treatment not making any improvement or, the worst thing, showing up one morning and being told "oh, we're sorry, we forgot to call you and cancel..."

It's not that the meds make the condition worse, it's that the withdrawel from the meds can exagerate the symptoms that might (notice, "might") have not been so severe had they not taken the meds in the first place. Of course, that assumes that they could have gone on without the meds, which is a big (and probably wrong) assumption. As I read what you wrote on the subject I think you're saying the same thing

Yeah. What YOU said. LOL!

Thanks for the response. Have a good evening!

I left part of my response off...

What's worst was the regular appointments, "Bob on Thursday morning" or "Martha's weekly accupuncture treatment for MS." You get to know the people. You (I) can't avoid developing bonds and caring. You either watch them go on with the treatment not making any improvement or, the worst thing, showing up one morning and being told "oh, we're sorry, we forgot to call you and cancel..."

I understand exactly what you're saying. It's so much worse when you get to know them. And their families... that's even worse. Burnout is big in those professions and you gave the EXACT reason why. :-(