Does psychiatry places too much emphasis on drugs?
Is it me or does psychiatry (or anything to do with mental health) place too much emphasis on drugs. It seems that when you complain of feeling depressed, they just whip out their prescription pad and put you on an antidepressant. I’ve heard of this being done even when the depression is due to circumstances such as job loss, divorce, etc. (definitely not chemical imbalance). I remember being put on Prozac when I was in college and am now trying to wean myself off (very gradually). I’ve been to other doctors who would just keep adding more drugs on top of the Prozac.
I’ve been doing a lot of my own research on alternative/natural medicine and learned about something called orthomolecular medicine. It’s basically treating illness through nutrition and supplements. An example of its effectiveness is Margot Kidder, who was diagnosed bipolar.
http://chaada.org/smf/index.php?topic=507.0
I wonder why we don’t hear more about the efficacy of these kinds of treatments? I think the main reason is that they’re just not profitable. As a result of learning about this, I’m a lot more distrustful of doctors.
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September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Unfortunately, there are many Dr’s. who would rather medicate first and ask questions later. Psychiatry is not an exact science, which makes diagnosing mental disorders often trial by error. It is quite easy to fix a tangible, such as a broken arm, as opposed to an illness that can not be determined with blood tests or X rays for example. Good psychiatrists are a rare commodity, but in all fairness there are great therapists out there,( just hard to find). I agree that the profit of a product or service is motivated by the profit margin. Hat’s off to you for taking control of your own well being. Be Well.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
I think a lot of docs turn to meds. Often times it’s for short term use, but ends up being long term. I certainly feel many illnesses can be treated by simple therapy, change in diet, life habits, or exercise. Although, there are definitely mental disorders that require meds such as bipolar and schizophrenia.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
It takes people to around the age of 40 to realize what a rackett medicine is, it is just robotics for the pharmaceutical companies, and has little to do with health and healing.. and your distrust is well earned in my opinion…
I think the doctor patient relationship is delusional and so is the entire medical mafia,
I wish people would wake up to the shinanigans… too many people just believe them about anything.. and true healing is going to be lost
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Maybe. But look at it this way ; there are thousands of problems and there are too few doctors and even fewer doctors who are good doctors.
MDS. are a godsend at times. And sometimes what works for one may not work for someone else. Time may be a factor. and then it may be a choice between the lesser of two evils. There may be a case or two where there is no cure or no help or an unknown issue of a case to figure out. Trial and error is always a way to go for some unknowns. The drug industry is bad we know but we need the good they can do for us also. It is SAD. We can not all just eat right and exercise and be healthy. I wish we all could.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
to be honest with you i dont mind taking the meds, i used to take lorezapam(xanax) to help control my anxiety/panic attacks it worked wonderfully i had a bottle with about 30 that i took only when i felt panic/anxiety it lasted me about 6months year cuz id only take it if i needed to.
Now i ran out, and worse of all, im really stressed, so i really need it, but i dont have insurance anymore
im going to a county hospital where they cant give me lorezapam but they gave me prozac, ive been on prozac for about a month, and so far, i dont see any changes, im thinkin about stopping prozac cuz its not helping, and paying the big bill for the lorezapam cuz to be honest lorezapam really made me feel better.
I tried controlling it wit just my mind breathing exercises but its just too hard, i feel like i need a headstart w the MED then slowly wheen myself off it and only take it in emergency situations EX. first month i took it every day 1 week, everyotherday 2nd week, 2-3 times 3rd week, then from there on i never really took it unless i felt panic i probably took it 1 month after that maybe like 3x throughout the month. So ya drugs are ok as long as your taking them in moderation.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
Yeah, there is a lot of emphasis on drugs. They have their place, but I just hate when they’re put out there as the only option. Therapy and self help can do so much for people but they’re not as emphasized. It really bothers me.
Profitability is definitely part of it, but beyond that there’s just such a focus on quick fixes, and a view that mental illness (or even just regular emotional pain) needs to be gotten rid of as fast as possible. Also, emotional problems aren’t the same as many physical problems, but they’re treated the same, like something’s malfunctioning and there should be a definite solution. Psychiatric drugs aren’t cures, and usually doctors don’t even know how they work exactly.
I don’t know what to do about it, except to insist that your doctors provide you with all the options, get second opinions, and spread the word to others that there are more options for recovery from mental and emotional problems than just taking drugs.
September 18th, 2009 at 1:06 am
wow, you are so right. its very frustrating. ive had anxiety problems for 7 yrs know, i at one point in time i was on like 4 or 5 different meds! i stopped taking lexapro 3 yrs ago, and i continued with xanax and klonopin. i just got off klonopin 3 months ago, and xanax 3 weeks ago. Let me tell you, it is hell getting off these drugs, and no doctor told me about withdrawal! They should really stress the side effects that comes along with getting off these drugs, but while i was having withdrawals, they tried to put me on some more meds to deal with it and i told them no way. I feel so good now, i still have anxiety, but i am learning to deal with it without meds. I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT I COULD COPE WITHOUT THE MEDS, BUT I CAN AND I AM.