Are Anti-Depressants Good Or Evil? (Page 2)

Even in integrative medicine practices, it seems to me that the approach is still way too allopathic. You come in depressed, and instead of giving you Prozac, they give you 5-HTP or St. John’s Wort. They might also delve into your diet and advise you about your exercise program, but I really care about why you’re depressed. Are you happy in your relationships? Are you doing work you love? Are you sexually satisfied? Are you nurturing your spiritual life? Have you discovered your calling and figured out what you’re here on Earth to do? Are you caring for the temple that is your body?

Another important question I explore is “Is your depression natural?” One of my friends just lost her best friend, who died in childbirth, leaving two children and a husband behind. At the funeral, they were passing out Zoloft like candy, and now, everyone in her family is taking anti-depressants. But isn’t it healthy and normal to grieve when something tragic happens? Sure, tragedies can lead to clinical depression, but technically, you can’t have a DSM-4 diagnosis of Major Depression in the midst of a crisis. We docs call it Adjustment Disorder, which seems so much more appropriate. You’re adjusting to a loss — and yes, that can make you cry and grieve. Do you really want to wash those feelings away with mind-numbing drugs?

Sure, anti-depressants may be the answer — in some cases.

And when you need them- oh baby, do you need them. But those people aren’t the ones these TV ads are aimed at. They’re targeting those who have lost their mojo — which is totally different than being depressed. It seems to me that disillusionment, dissatisfaction, and disappointment plague many people these days. It’s the epidemic of the developed world.

But drugs are not the answer. Instead, I encourage my patients to delve deep to discover who they really are at their authentic core. I ask them what’s missing from their lives. I invite them to explore what their body, mind and spirit need in order to heal. And then, after we’ve balanced thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones, talked about diet and exercise, sorted through the emotional junk that weighs us down, and discussed lifestyle modifications that might help, we talk about supplements and pharmaceuticals.

I understand that I’m lucky. I get an hour with my patients at the Owning Pink Center, which gives me the time to go deep. When your doctor only has 7 ½ minutes to care for you, it’s easier to just write a prescription and send you on your merry way.

But you deserve to get your needs met.

You deserve to be treated like a whole, vital human being with a heart and a brilliant mind. You deserve to have a choice. It’s okay to question the TV ads and your doctor’s advice. You can be an empowered patient. It’s your birthright.

So do me a favor. Switch off the TV when those anti-depressant ads come on. You don’t need to fill your brain with those kinds of messages. If you need anti-depressants to feel joyful, more power to you. But don’t let marketing influence you, and don’t let your doctor push pills.

Mostly, listen to your intuition. It will tell you how to reclaim your joy.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Fi T.

2:46AM PST on Jan 5, 2013

It's advisable for us to rely on tuning our thoughts rather than taking pills

January 5
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Kenneth L.

4:34PM PST on Nov 29, 2012

"No single reproducible abnormality in any transmitter or any of it's enzymes or receptors has been shown to cause any psychiatric disorder" Dr. Stephen M. Stahl, Psychiatrist

"I think the commercials on TV really create this illusion that there's a set chemical (imbalance) thing going on when someone has a mental disorder....we certainly have theories...but truly they remain theories" Dr. Mary Braud, Psychiatrist

"There is no rational science behind what they (psychiatrists) think is the cause of these ('mental disorder') symptoms. The medications that are being given to people are, without exception, introducing chemicals that are altering the brain in ways that can be very damaging" Dr. Grace Jackson, Psychiatrist

"We really see these (psychotropic) medications as having very significant side effects..." Mike Fitzpatrick, executive director National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)

"We know for a fact the (psychiatric) drugs don't work very well" Dr. Colin Ross, Psychiatrist

"The antidepressants are really causing this massive epidemic in diagnosis of bipolar disorder, because a certain percentage of people given antidepressants, and stimulants for that matter (eg. Ritalin), have a manic reaction. There have been studies that show this"
Jim Gottstein, attorney

November 29
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Elaine A.

6:41PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

It depends, id the individual has a need for such because the synapse are not connecting within the brain properly then yes, they are extremely productive and outweigh many of the reported risks that accompany the package insert. The blessing in this for those in need is that there are so many on the market so should a person have an uncomfortable reaction, they can be switched to something else. Of course there is a little poison in every pill (Medication) but one must ask themselves... if the medication serves the problem and many side affects are far rarer than purported, then isn't it worth one's quality of life. The down side is that more people are hooked on pain killers than anti depressants and this can do extreme damage to the kidneys, liver, as well as the heart.

November 28
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Aranza D.

4:15PM PST on Nov 9, 2012

exercise its much better

November 9
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Elena T.

7:15PM PST on Nov 4, 2012

Thank you :)

November 4
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8:04AM PDT on Sep 25, 2012

Considering almost all psychiatric drug trial 'studies' are slanted, that is, any negative results are hidden, so the FDA will approve them, skewers the 'good or evil' question at square one. Considering most psychiatric drugs are only slightly better than placebos in the short-term (except with many and great side-effects possible) and no better or worse than placebos in the long-term again makes the 'good or evil' question moot.

September 25
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Brian M.

2:43PM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Anti-depressants, given the sheer level of addictiveness, general lack of efficacy, side-effects, and toxicity, would, if given a value judgement, be assessed as "evil." Nature has provided us a simple plant to treat depression and many of our other ills, cannabis.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/sacred-blessing-cannabis-01/

February 7
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peggy p.

2:03AM PST on Dec 20, 2011

i've been on both sides

December 20
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Judy B.

5:50PM PDT on Jul 21, 2011

Thank You very much. As one who has taken antid. for 15 years I wish I knew all this and would of have listened to the small voice inside of me. but now I am listening. This is my story and I realize antid. can be wonderful while you are learning new ways to cope.
But when the apathy controls your life it is time to look for alternatives and now I am trying to do that.

July 21
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Berny p.

5:45AM PDT on Jul 20, 2011

In this very stressful world with rejection for many people it is not surprising that people need help....

NOT everyone has a steady job,a wife and a happy family life!!!!