Posted by bluedog on April 25, 2003, at 22:43:25
In reply to Re: Larry..Question re abstract, posted by Larry Hoover on April 25, 2003, at 19:06:28
> > Hi Lar--
> >
> > Very interesting abstract! Would you be willing to share how/where you found it? Browsing NIMH, keyword search, or...? If keyword, do you remember what terms you used where? Thanks!---medlib
>
> I used keywords histopathology and depression, if I recall correctly. I did that search a few weeks ago in regards to another discussion elsewhere on the net. I was seeking support for my argument that antidepressants were an incomplete treatment for depression, and that expectations that they were (a complete treatment)lay at the root of much disappointment with that treatment modality.
>
> Lar
>
Thanks for that LarryThat abstract was excellent.
I happen to completeley agree with you. Doctors, especially psychiatrists do have this tendency to place too much emphasis on pharmacological treatment of depression.
However in fairness to Pdocs they do have their use in an OVERALL treatment plan and they don't really have any useful training beyond prescribing the psychotropic meds that can ASSIST in your recovery from whatever mental illness ails you.
I have come to realize more and more that I am responsible for my own recovery using all the tools at my disposal using a holistic approach. I use my Pdoc for the pharmacological aspect of my treatment but as soon as I start talking about natural remedies and trying to discuss nutritional approaches or dietary supplemental approaches whether they be vitamins, minerals or herbs my Pdoc's eyes just glaze over. I think this would be the case for most Pdocs.
So I don't waste my time trying to "teach" my Pdoc new approaches to treatment that may work but I simply let him know what I am doing so that he can assess the safety of whatever I am doing in the context of the particular meds he has prescribed.
My Pdoc is not against me using a multi-pronged treatment approach to my illness that includes alternative methods and he in fact encourages this approach. It's just that he does not have the formal training to deal with these approaches himself and I respect him for being upfront enough with me to admit this to me. In fact I happen to have a very good working relationship with my Pdoc and he respects the knowledge and insight that I have gained into my illness through my own research and through participation in sites like PB and he now allows me a LOT of latitude when it comes to what meds I take and the doseages of my meds that I take. If I come up with an approach or a med I want to try and give him the research to back up my arguments...then 9 times out of 10 he will actually go along with my suggestions.
Perhaps Pdocs of the future will receive training that embraces using holistic approaches (such as nutritional approaches) and they will use these natural methods FIRST before casually reaching for their prescription pads to write out a script for the latest SSRI the drug reps have just told them about.
There you have my thoughts on this issue Larry.
warm regards
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:221042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030423/msgs/222467.html