Re: Radiological Stress Victims

[RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 8/6/02 5:40:56 PM Mountain Daylight Time, jjcohen@PRODIGY.NET writes:

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    When I tried to explain, from a scientific standpoint, that such fears were largely irrational and  unfounded, his response was interesting. He claims that the scientific realities are irrelevant when dealing with psychological conditions, and that we need to understand that the lives of radiophobic people have been seriously degraded, many to the point of mental illness by the mere existence of nuclear programs of any sort.  His solution would be to eliminate such programs.

Maybe he gets those patients because they are unhappy with psychiatrists who try to diminish their irrational fears.

With all due respect, given this guy's attitude toward science, I'd go to another psychiatrist if I needed one.  I'd at least want someone who thought rationally.  Interestingly, many members of Physicians for Social Responsibility are psychiatrists.

I might also point out that the history of modern psychiatry is checkered at best.  I recommend Phyllis Chesler's book "Women and Madness" for an interesting perspective on psychiatric practice.  nothing whatever to do with radiation, by the way.



Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.
ruthweiner@aol.com