A Case Against Drugs

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=46569

"It appears that cognitive therapy can be as effective as medications, even among more severely depressed outpatients, at least when provided by experienced cognitive therapists," they wrote.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: JAMA/Archives journals, news release, April 4, 2005

[bertha katzenengel]

1. Cognitive therapy has worked very well for me. HOWEVER....

It saved my life. I'm not "fixed" by any stretch, but I have worked through the major problems I had, all the shit I grew up with, and actually have learned to forgive (an essential step for me).

But without drugs, I would not be a functioning member of the earth. I would be a raging fucking fruitcake basket case. I have tried life without anti-depressants and it does not work for me.

Yes. A case can be made against the use of drugs. Perhaps cognitive therapy alone works for many people -- more power to them. I wish to god it worked for me that way.

[H2O Man]

3. There are many people

who definitely need medications, for a variety of reasons. Some will need medications for a short term, while others may need them on an on-going basis. And that needs to be recognized and appreciated in these discussions.

Still, there is a move by the drug companies and insurance providers to cut back on therapy, and to rely almost soley upon medication. And this is a dangerous trend. The truth is that the drug companies and insurance providers are gaining more and more say in how people's treatment will be determined. There is a push to lessen the role of therapy in public mental health clinics, with far more reliance upon case management and a doctor writing prescriptions.

[bertha katzenengel]

5. "to rely almost soley upon medication" -- very scary

Both my sisters do, because they "don't need therapy," they just need a little help. :scared:

I'm glad 4moronic posted this article. I'll have to keep up on this.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. I wish to god it worked for me that way.

gone this route?? It cannot hurt to add this to your regimen.. and it may be a mistake to not add them to your regimen.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15538990

1: Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2004 Dec;6(6):425-9. Related Articles, Links

Nutrients, neurodevelopment, and mood.

Casper RC.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. [e-mail]
Human neurodevelopment is the result of genetic and environmental interactions. This paper examines the role of prenatal nutrition relative to psychiatric disorders and explores the relationship among nutrients, mood changes, and mood disorders. Epidemiologic studies have found that adults who were born with a normal, yet low birth weight have an increased susceptibility to diseases such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and stroke in adulthood.

Prenatal caloric malnutrition, low birth weight, and prematurity also increase the risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia, affective disorders, and schizoid and antisocial personality disorders. Placebo-controlled studies in medicated patients suggest that add-on treatment with omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid, may ameliorate symptoms of major depressive disorder. Additional studies are necessary to confirm any benefits for bipolar disorders.

Publication Types:

* Review
* Review, Tutorial


PMID: 15538990

[bertha katzenengel]

6. Hmm... I'll think about this, but more importantly, I'll talk to my doctor

and my psychiatrist and my therapist about it. :)

[H2O Man]

7. That's the key .....

to consider what your options are, and deciding what works best for you. You are hitting the nail on the head. People respond and do very well -- on an individual basis -- with a wide range of treatments. Some with short-term therapy, others with longer term therapy. Some people prefer group therapies, while others do well with one-on-one. And there is likewise a wide range of options with medications, depending on the individual's needs.

No matter what it is that a person decides works best for them today, it is important that they have information available on all of their options. The insurance and drug industries want to limit the information and options available.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

8. Good deal... that was one of dozens of papers relating to this

issue.... read more at the NIH by typing in fish oils depression or omega threes depression at this link....


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

[flyingfysh]

2. it is one tool among several

and is one of the most effective non-drug therapies. But some people absolutely must have medication to control their conditions. Cognitive therapy is unable to deal with some well-known brain abnormalities.