Posted by Christ_empowered on October 18, 2010, at 16:24:06
In reply to Lou's request-one of 6 topics, posted by Lou Pilder on October 18, 2010, at 15:55:15
Psychiatric drugs are potent, and they have very real side-effects. That said, one shouldn't be too quick to dismiss them as evil or dangerous and lacking in any redeeming value.
I personally think the problem with psychiatry (at least from what I see in my little corner of the US) is over use of medication. People who might respond to therapy or other non-medical means of treatment are given all kinds of drugs, and then the shrinks act as if its somehow the patients fault that they're not responding to meds.
I think in cases of severe mental illness--psychotic and/or severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, so on and so forth--the evidence is pretty clear that meds can be useful, IF they are given in proper dosages, care is taken to avoid and address side effects, and the patient is also given access to other forms of treatment (vocational training, therapy, etc.).
I appreciate your concern for the rest of us here at Babble, but I also think you may want to think about the *positive* impact proper use of medication can have on the lives of people afflicted with mental illness (and those around them).
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:966159
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101009/msgs/966161.html