> A general rule of
>thumb in the field is that a reaction, such as depression, should be treated
>if it does not resolve within two weeks, by therapy, meds perhaps, or both.

Well, I guess this just blows me away.  Who decides that two weeks is all
one is allowed to feel bad about having stage two breast cancer and ONGOING
HORRIBLE TREATMENT????  I have never been able to accept, as a mother, the
cultural rules in Mali that a mother is "allowed" to grieve for three days
(three days!!!) for the death of a child and then is expected to get back to
work, business as usual.  Of course people know that the mother will still
feel bad, but she is expected to be functional after three days off for
grieving.  Are people in the US officially supposed to "get over it"
(whatever major trauma "it" may be) in two weeks or else
medication/counseling is called for?  I just find this amazing.  It took me
at least 8 months to stop grieving about having a child with Down Syndrome
-- every day for those first eight months I would wake up, remember, and
cry.  Then I would go take care of my adorable little baby boy.  I don't
think medication is the appropriate response when the person has a damn good
reason to feel bad.  Guess this touched a nerve, not meant to be taken
personally by anyone, please.

Kathy Dettwyler

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