>On general principles, I agree with Kelley, in that we don't have
>time to keep up with every innovation in every science & technology.
>There are some exceptions, though. Earlier, you mentioned Talcott
>Parson's idea of "the sick role" in the course of discussion on
>anti-depressants. One thing that I was going to say (but didn't get
>around to saying it) is that Parsons' study of "the sick role" does
>not fit chronic illnesses (such as clinical depression) very well.
>Those who have chronic illnesses and permanent disabilities tend to
>become more knowledgeable about their own illnesses & disabilities
>and often about the practice of medicine in general also, sometimes
>their knowledge surpassing run-of-the-mill medical practitioners
>(e.g., Carrol, Marta Russell).
You remind me of the fact that Freud wrote that it it is characteristic of the "melancholic" to be extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his/her dis-ease: its catalysts, symptoms and results. There wasn't a whole lot to know about medical treatment at the time, I suppose. Come to think of it, though, the depressive that I am in closest contact with can reel off a list an arm long of all the medications he's taken, and their effects.
cheers, Jo