PERSONAL HEALTH  
AlterNet / By Onnesha Roychoudhuri
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 173

Comfortably Numb: How Psychiatry Is Medicating a Nation

Author Charles Barber discusses Americans' unrealistic notions about happiness. We've medicalized a lot of life issues that aren't mental illnesses.
April 17, 2008  |  
 
 
LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?
Join our mailing list:

Sign up to stay up to date on the latest Personal Health headlines via email.

 
 
Advertisement
 

View as a single page
 
Onnesha Roychoudhuri is a San Francisco-based writer and editor. She has written for AlterNet, the American Prospect, Salon, Mother Jones, Truthdig, In These Times, Huffington Post, and Women's eNews.
Email
Print
Share
Post on reddit
Post on stumbleupon
Post on facebook
Post on digg
Post on twitter
Post on delicious
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Stay up to date with the latest Personal Health headlines via email
See more stories tagged with: drugs, antidepressants, pyschiatry, pharmas

comments COMMENTS ( 173 )
READ COMMENTS
LOGIN OR REGISTER TO POST A COMMENT
 

Comments are closed-

TV on the web.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Lagstorm on Apr 17, 2008 12:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just torrent your favorite shows and then there's no commercials! I haven't had a symptom in about 4 years.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Huh? Posted by: fluffmuffinmom
» Try reading the article Posted by: war_on_tara

Comments are closed-

Terrorist
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HeKnew on Apr 17, 2008 12:38 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Be efficient...be happy...

THX1138

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

EXTERNAL vs INTERNAL INFLUENCES
[Report this comment]
Posted by: skizum on Apr 17, 2008 4:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Perhaps there are some imbalances that require medication but we simply don't know enough about the basics of human behavior to make informed decisions about medication yet.

One day I asked myself the question, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some sort of ‘one stop shopping’ guidelines or handbook that I could reference to reflect on and use affect my level of happiness? I’m not talking about a resource like religion, the girl scouts, or any other organization built around externally and subjectively generated criteria, that I may or may not feel good about fulfilling. I want something that is based primarily on my internally and objectively generated needs relative to the modalities through which I perceive my world namely; psychological, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Criteria that I feel 100% good in fulfilling.” I kept thinking, there’s got to be some free resource out there like this.

I spent quite a bit of time researching and gathering my thoughts but I did not find exactly what I was seeking. I did find that there are a myriad of resources scattered across psychology*, psychiatry*, anthropology*, medicine*, religion*, ethics*, government* and many other institutions of history, wisdom and knowledge. However, the vast majority of these resources are present themselves out of context to one another. Whereas, in my real life, everything is constantly juxtaposed against everything else to create the conditions which determine my state of mind and thus influence my human behavior.

As a scientist and artist, this led me to wonder if there is any basic ‘alphabet’ or ‘periodic table’ or ‘basic set of variables’ that can be used to describe the basic elements that inspire human behavior; surely an achievable endeavor. If this resource existed, all these theories could be contextualized using a common set of variables and better understood in relative terms.

Doesn't it make sense that each of us should have a clear idea of what balance of needs* we must fulfill in our lives to be happy. Wouldn’t it be great if we knew what do to bring ourselves back into balance, and it was free? If more of us, including the most aggressive ones, were in balance with ourselves, could we solve so many of our world’s problems based on models that create imbalance?

The problem is that, as individuals, cultures and societies, we spend so much of our time focusing on influences external to ourselves that we create solutions to solve external problems when it is the internal ones that need solving. Every one of us should start learning to understand what are basic psychological(+)* needs ARE and how we can, as individuals and societies, fulfill them in a humanely balanced way.

In the face of all the bad trends that are happening, the good news is that this process can begin now, you can consider, reflect, write, think and communicate right in your own living room. You can still contribute and act on your findings in your daily life, for now.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I don't take pills when I have a headache. Try meditation for 5 minutes.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Apr 17, 2008 6:02 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And that's just an example. Seriously though, Big Pharma has been NUMBING America for decades ever since outlawing truly harmless but helpful plants. When ever some dumb motherfucker tries to say "pot smoker", I shoot back and ask them how they enjoy their petrochemically manufactured poison pills they keep gulping down from Big Pharma. And to be honest, if the Left really cared about being happy, they'd be fighting the Big Pharma tooth and nail by working towards overturning the ban on Cannabis in the first place.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Or just drink a glass of water Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

You have to be Sedated to live in this Corpirate Hell Hole!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: williameon on Apr 17, 2008 6:20 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Treat the symptoms instead of curing the disease!
Placebo America.
Another TRILLION (a million millions)
Flushed down the
Toilet.
Eat Adulterated Food, drink polluted Water and live in a poisonous Environment
And
What do you get?
Sicker and
Deeper in Debt!
Oh, Thank you so much!
Mr. Corpirate God (CEO).
Trouble is?
Half of the people are so brainwashed and numb that:
They know or care little about it.
Slaves working three jobs, with no: security, no health insurance, no education and a
As the Shrub Said:
Uniquely American!
Corpirates Gone Wild!
When the Sh-t Hits The FAN?
Who do you think is going to save you?

He will be flying high above it in a Private Jet
or
Floating around
In a
Ark Sized Yacht.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

sslyon
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sslyon on Apr 17, 2008 6:20 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's gratifying to see important facets of this topic explored in depth at last. One of the first and most astute explorations of overmedication with anti-depressants of our population was L. Marinoff, PH.D in his 1999 work, "Plato Not Prozac". He treats his readers to revealing perspectives on the genesis of splits between philosophy, psychiatry and psychology and a stunning revealation of how the DSM has grown from 1952 with 152 listed disorders to 1994 listing 374, including such beauties as "Lottery Stress Disorder". Books of these kinds provide a tardy but essential start to a national self-evaluation into a mental health system in real -and hugely expensive, distress.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» we are destroying ourselves Posted by: toddcory
» we are destroying ourselves Posted by: toddcory

Comments are closed-

I am angered by the message in this article!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Nightstallion on Apr 17, 2008 6:36 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Human beings are already shirking their duty to themselves and their progeny. Since the author of this book won’t say it to AlterNet, I’ll say it.

All medications are Band-Aids! We do not treat or heal illness we “Masque” it. All so-called Antidepressant medications are legal thievery performed by a callous, invasive, and evasive American Medical Association. Said latter body is hell bent on getting away with money laundering and using male bovine excrement to haze J.Q.P. (John Q. Public) into purchasing chemical lobotomy to treat an already terminal condition called life!

As for brain chemical imbalance, that is pure unadulterated hogwash! Folks, this is a chicken and egg conundrum here. Yes, we have emotional imbalance, yes, we have paranoia, but also, and yes we do not have any such thing as a non-causal situation here.
Your brain chemistry is going to be haywire if you have been traumatized emotionally or physically. This is a fact not a conjecture! Besides, if you are paranoid it is because press, politicians, banking analysts, and most especially doctors who WILL use your ignorance of Greek & Latin to tell you that you have an illness that is NOT an illness are lying you to. For instance: Doctor to patient: “You are suffering from polymyalgia (Poly Gr. Meaning many /Myos Gr. Meaning muscle groups/ algia Gr. From Algol meaning Pain). Wonderful you have a condition that may be any of over a hundred different injuries, diseases, or disintegrations.

Cow dung people and pain medications are ALL addictive. You would be better off going to a naturopath or some other “Faith” healer or Witchdoctor. All psycho active drugs are addictive or they have contraindications that scare the urine out of me when I read them. Put a doctor on a lie detector if you don’t believe me. DO NOT believe these physicians of today! Every single one of them is a snake oil salesman on one level or another.

Thanks for reading,

Nightstallion

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE:small print..xxx prama porn Posted by: wittler youth
» Right on, Nightstallion! Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

Great article!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Gravitas on Apr 17, 2008 6:51 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If only Americans could turn off Dancing With the Stars long enough to read it! Then I wouldn't have to worry about all their eliminated drugs showing up in my drinking water.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: My mother watches,I don't. Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

leftbank
[Report this comment]
Posted by: markw4786 on Apr 17, 2008 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Every high school and college massacre had one common denominator...legal prescribed psychotropic drugs. The mothers who drown their children in bathtubs...Prozac and its mind altering cousins.
There is a substance that people have been using for thousands of years for anxiety and depression with no murder or massacre association...pot!
All kidding aside, the mental health protocols, like medical care is nothing but the indiscriminate distribution of dangerous drugs, poorly tested, with side effects too often worse than the disorder or disease being treated. PATIENT, HEAL THYSELF.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: leftbank Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

Drugs keep the sheep in the pen. . .
[Report this comment]
Posted by: redceres on Apr 17, 2008 7:23 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and also from struggling so much against the knife.

Keep in mind that our government, by and large, allows the drug industry to regulate itself "voluntarily," and that drugs are approved only after a process during which the company pays the government to "test" them.

Keep in mind the way that these industries already come between your doctor and his/her Hippocratic oath--when's the last time, migraine sufferers, that you went to the emergency room and were offered a shot of cheap, effective morphine instead of a noticeably less effective and exponentially more expensive "designer" migraine drug? The rest of you, how frequently have you gone to the doctor with something that turns out to be just a general complaint, such as allergies, digestive, or sinus issues, and been offered a daily drug to "prevent" some discomfort, instead of suggested lifestyle changes and an over-the-counter remedy just to relieve the symptoms?

Yes, some people need medical help--but how often do you NEED to take something like Flomax? Was it healthier to drug yourself through a divorce? Is it worth risking cancer to avoid some arthritis pain, as one current tv ad suggests? Maybe some people would still say yes--but how conscienable is it for our trusted institutions to pretend that over-medication should be the norm, and then to reap profits both in terms of drug sales and check-ups as well as in further health problems resulting from the drugs?

Keep in mind also the administration's desire to protect the telecom giants from prosecution because of their illegal acts of complicity in violating the Constitutional rights of citizens (it only seems random for a second if you think about it).

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Oh so true...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: thoughtcriminal on Apr 17, 2008 7:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Quote: "Barber trains his eye to the confluence of science and culture that have led to the widespread prescribing of medications once reserved for the most serious cases."

I would say that it is a confluence of media, financial and pharmaceutical interests that is responsible for the situation. For example, here's a theme that you never hear in the corporate press:

"We should go back to a legal ban on advertising any prescription drug"

Why not? Yes, it's because of horizontal monopolistic integration at the shareholder level between media, finance and pharmaceuticals:

Pfizer

Merck

Genentech

BristolMyersSquibb

TimeWarner (CNN)

NewsCorp (FOX)

General Electric (NBC)

Disney (ABC)

New York Times Co

Bank of America

Goldman Sachs

JP Morgan Chase

You get the same names, over and over, as the leading shareholders:

VANGUARD
Capital Research Global Investors
FIDELITY
DODGE & COX
Barclays Global Investors UK
STATE STREET CORPORATION
AXA
FRANKLIN
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Capital World Investors
etc.

So, the corporate press is a) earning a lot of money off selling ad space to pharmaceutical corporations, and b) is owned by the very same individuals and institutions that own the drug corporations. It's like a corporate system founded on cocaine & heroin sales - of course they want you to keep taking your medications! They'll even get laws passed that say you have to take your medications. . . for your own good.

That's why articles like this are relegated to the Internet, and why you should never believe what the corporate press has to say about your health.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Oh so true... Posted by: tornadorider2002
» RE: Oh so true... Posted by: bikerdude

Comments are closed-

Pill - I don't blame people for taking them.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: keyinside on Apr 17, 2008 7:54 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In this era of corrupt, war-mongering, asleep at the wheel politicians, corporate greed, global warming, and a population that refuses to stand up for their own self interest against their oppressors, pills dont' seem like such a bad idea.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Antidepressants and antipsychotics ARE good for some people
[Report this comment]
Posted by: olderworker on Apr 17, 2008 8:01 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is way too much fear-mongering in this article and in the comments.

I am a psychotherapist (not a physician) and I do refer some clients to psychiatrists for psychoactive medication. Whether you Alternet readers want to admit it or not, there are some people whose mental faculties are not the best. I have clients who, without medication, are paranoid and self-destructive. With medication, they are calm and get along well in the world.

I admit that the pharmaceutical companies would probably like for everyone to be on these substances, and I agree, they're NOT for everyone. These medications are not for people with mild depression, but for more seriously disturbed individuals.

Thanks for letting me have my say.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» mild depression isn't necessarily mild Posted by: inverse_agonist
» cannabis Posted by: meetmeineleusis

Comments are closed-

"We have not lost faith, but we have transferred it...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: war_on_tara on Apr 17, 2008 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...from God to the medical profession." - George Bernard Shaw

I especially liked the part where in Japan, depression isn't considered a big deal. "The soul catching cold" is a nice image.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

SEIU advertising on alternet is just as bad as those med ads
[Report this comment]
Posted by: logansafi on Apr 17, 2008 8:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As an RN, I am getting a little bit sick of seeing those SEIU advertisements on alternet. SEIU is a union that has a tradition of scabbing on other unions, including the California Nurses Association. What is their advertising doing here at alternet? I think it is a lot like pharmaceutical companies advertising to doctors, don't you think?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Bull. Post a reference. Posted by: thoughtcriminal

Comments are closed-

It's been quite a while since Freud
[Report this comment]
Posted by: willymack on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Did the initial work leading to the field of psychology. Ziggy baby has been largely discredited in recent years, both by mavericks and at contentious symposiums (DSMs). Keep in mind, Freud was a pioneer in a brand new field, and he was going in a direction not attempted before. He wouldn't have claimed to be the end all in his field, and neither should anyone else; the field is still relatively new, and psychology is not yet a mature science. Using chemical agents to affect behavioral changes in people is a crap shoot at best, and often dangerous or even life-threatening when misused. The fact about drug companies is that in their quest for enormous profits, they've created a phantasy world wherein a chemical cure for just about anything from hurt feelings to fatigue brought on by not enough sleep is readily available at your corner drugstore; That'll be $29.95, please. Still groggy from the sleep aid you took last night? Not to worry; we have a pick-me-up that'll take care of that. Fourty three dollars, please. Insatiable greed is what drives Big Pharma, nowadays. Freud must be spinning in his grave.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Freud and Prozac Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

SSRIs, the anti-LSD
[Report this comment]
Posted by: meetmeineleusis on Apr 17, 2008 9:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Back in the 60s, the peace movement had an influence that so many people have readily forgotten.

LSD was banned NOT because it causes hallucinations, but because it "inspired revolutionary and anti-government tendencies"

LSD temporarily grants you a filter to view the world through, and generally, while on it, you gain a profound understanding of who is fucking you over, how thoroughly, and how often.

The stuff makes you want to take to the streets and do something.

40 years later, and what little research we managed to glean about psychoactives during the golden age of psychedelic drugs has been twisted to give us pharmaceutical monstrosities like prozac and paxil.

These drugs fill you with false contentment, They take away your drive to raise hell, and they help you to tolerate what should be considered intolerable. SSRIs are the anti-LSD, and the powers that be know it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» but the fact is Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» Perhaps a coincidence Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: inverse_agonist
» DMT / Ayahuasca Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» DMT / Ayahuasca Posted by: Cathyc
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: nodozejoze
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: e rice
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: nodozejoze
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

What? No chemical imbalance in mentally-ill brains?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HughScott on Apr 17, 2008 9:24 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The author wrote, "There is no clear chemical imbalance for any mental illness."

BULLSHIT!

I have two family members in their late 40s who are bi-polar. Despite severe mental breakdowns and serial hospitalizations as young adults, they finished college and are now productive members of society.

Their success managing manic depression over the years is due primarily to drugs taken daily that treat bipolar brains.

Don't tell me chemical imbalance isn't a factor in some mental illnesses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You're right. Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

SSRIs used in War Theater...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Apr 17, 2008 9:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
you heard me. selective seretonin re-uptake inhibitors.

used to keep the Troops shoot'n...

"Forced to Fight", the story of War: but SSRIs used in Iraq & Afghan War Theatre

gee, could this be why Afghans talk about how American troops are scary because they're moody & trigger-happy?

that & the **steroids** abuse... gee, that'll make ya stable...

Screaming In An Empty Room: Potent Mixture: Zoloft & A Rifle

Nazis on Steroids - That's just great

How Nazis used amphetamines / meth (Pervetin) to keep their troops 'fight'n'...

~~~
Spread Love...

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
ThisCanadian com
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"
"do no harm"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Ahh amphetamines Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» killing 'trigger anxiety'... Posted by: BlueBerry PickN

Comments are closed-

antidepressants aren't all bad
[Report this comment]
Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous on Apr 17, 2008 9:28 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too am a non-physician psychotherapist. Many of the people I see are not having enough difficulty dealing with life problems to need more than psychotherapy but others are in need of psychiatric medication either because of the nature of their mental health issues or because the level of depression or anxiety they are experiencing is too severe for them to cope with with out the temporary help of medication. Anxiety and/or depression do not always require medication but that should be determined by a mental health professional. Some disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, to name two, do require medication because they appear to be both biological and chronic in nature -- based on what we know at this time. My comment here is not a substitute for competent face-to-face professional mental health evaluation and/or treatment and should not be in any way construed as mental health advice and/ evaluation and/or treatment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: "Based on what we know at this time" Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: "Based on what we know at this time" Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: antidepressants aren't all bad Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: antidepressants aren't all bad Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

The real problem isn't the drugs
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ReallyBearish on Apr 17, 2008 10:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's that you have too many physicians treating symptoms and not causes.

I took SSRIs for mild depression (that also cured compulsive behavior and phobias), and then stopped. I know many others that have had the same experience.

I've also seen people loaded up on various drugs by doctors who did not try to deal with the underlying psychological problems.

SSRIs work (in spite of what the Scientologists think). Doctors simply need to start looking at the problems with more sophistication.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The concept of a 'pharmaceutical crime against humanity'
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kiwijohn on Apr 17, 2008 10:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We spend more time trying to 'get back into balance' rather than avoiding 'getting out of balance' in the first place?

For the latter, there are some ‘one stop shopping’ guidelines that have been around for several millennia. They center around what grandmother called wholesome diet and living. And no, they don't involve dietary supplements.

This age-old remedy may require that we need to examine and make changes to the way we look after our little planet. And that will take many years to take effect.

Until we as a society comprehend that 'placing the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff' is not an appropriate way to provide sustainable health care, we will unfortunately and inevitably fail to address the root causes of this systemic and all-pervasive pharmaceutical crime against humanity.

From more of a scientific point of view, I would suggest we first need to look at the sequence of cause and effect. And perhaps we do need to start putting more emphasis on a sustainable solution to the way in which we look after our planet?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I Think That There Must be Some Basis for the Chemical Theory
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bab5nutz on Apr 17, 2008 10:39 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are families [including my own], where mental illness keeps turning up. And this is despite the fact that their upbringings varied a great deal, from abusive to the white-picket-fence-too-good to be true.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

practicing professionals need to come together
[Report this comment]
Posted by: empathyshocks on Apr 17, 2008 10:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To the psychotherapists who replied, I think if you read the article closely you'll see that Arthur Barber isn't recommending we eliminate drugs altogether. Obviously in a minority of instances they are efficacious and needed. Barber is commenting on their over-prescription for purpose of profit. It's pretty simple, tell someone they have something, sell them the cure.

Doctors, Psychiatrists, Therapists, all need to organize themselves instead of passing the buck, or justifying their actions because it will pay for their daughter's college etc, or generally not giving a shit.
The general public can try and apply pressure through specific targeting and drawing attention, but most active citizens know most of the country is too self-obsessed to even read someone else's picket sign, much less care.

If the general public is either too uninformed (due to media complicity with drug corps.), too drugged (due to eli lilly), or too self-interested (due to generally being an ass), it comes to the practicing professionals to shoulder some responsibility. If you're not taking what the big boys are feeding you, you aren't helping out their profit margins and simultaneously messing up billy bob's neurotransmitter relays because he shed a few tears from the suffering of being human.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: practicing professionals need to come together Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous

Comments are closed-

"It's Bad For Ya"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: len2 on Apr 17, 2008 11:12 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"studies have shown"

...that exercise works as well as common anti-depressants, and many clinicians admit it.

... that placebos work as well as anti-depressants (except for the 2% who really do have a chemistry problem).

... that placebos have the same effects in the brain as anti-depressants.

So if you're feeling bad, switch hardcore to healthy nutrition, (eg, Rosedale), get on your bike, to the pool, to the gym (sorry, walking isn't aerobic), and get plenty of sleep.

Quit running to the docs, those pills are "bad for ya", they cutoff the highs of living as well as the lows of living, dehumanizing, kill libido and erections, create the problem of "who I am", and "where have I been", when you come off them.

It's a huge effort to resist all the crap of Standard American Life, but it's do-able, if You Want to Break Free. You don't need LSD.

Standard American Life, it's a vicious killer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: "It's Bad For Ya" Posted by: mazel
» Sources for these claims? Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

Still crazy after all these years!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Doclove on Apr 17, 2008 12:55 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's a big Da for the rest of you guys. I've been battling the Mental Health industry for years. I have a sleep dysfunction called night terrors. Ever since 1973 when it was diagnosed all kinds of mental health people have been trying to turn me into a zombie! You see stress triggers the attacks so with meditation and focused relaxation I keep the attacks from happening. Fatigue also is a trigger so occasionally I throw people or peoples out of the bed.(for their safety) To give you an idea about how badly THEY overreact; I was in a car wreck several months ago. When the pain killers ran out I started having bad night terrors from the concussion I suffered in the wreck. I knew what it was, swelling pressing on my brain stem. So I go running to the doctor to get a little something to put me in a deep sleep. She hit me with the highest dose of a generic form of Ambin(10 mg.). So I didn't just sleep I was in a coma!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» good point about doctors Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

Use of SSRI's Among US Workers
[Report this comment]
Posted by: drricklippin on Apr 17, 2008 1:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
AlterNet

Thanks for publishing this interview on this worthy book which I will purchase

I was interviewed by Dr.Jay Cohen on the important topic of SSRI use by American Workers

Thanks for your interest in my niche on this topic.

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Use of SSRI's Among US Workers Posted by: drricklippin

Comments are closed-

Largesse of the Owning-Class
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DaBear on Apr 17, 2008 2:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This really must be a rich person's problem because poor people can't get these medications even if they really need them.

Every 25th day I go through a 12-28 hour ordeal with the insurance company, pharmacist and doc to get the vital meds my two children with severe MI need. I have to fight the HMO tooth and nail to get an appointment with a knowledgeable doc... most HMO's only have access to 20 visits a year with someone with a mere MSW and NO experience with severe MI. There is only one psychiatrist or psychologist and they don't take new patients.

There is NO mental health care in the United States, not for the working class and poor. What passes for the charade of mental health in the US is reserved for the Owners.

Poor poor rich babies and their middling serfs can't stand their twitchy legs, their penis that won't get hard, their negative feelings, their inability to smile for five minutes a day. Fuckers!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Not only the "owning class" Posted by: olderworker
» RE: Largesse of the Owning-Class Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous

Comments are closed-

What about epilepsy?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: frantaylor on Apr 17, 2008 2:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thwre are drugs that are both antidepressant and antiseizure. When you quote the usage of antidepressant drugs, are you discounting those who take them for their antiseizure effects? Perhaps there are more eplieptics and fewer depressed people than the statistics indicate.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What about epilepsy? Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

Cost factors, insurance companies and generics
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sofla100 on Apr 17, 2008 3:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Most insurance companies view the drugs as more cost effective then the psychotherapy. If the psychotherapy, say for 10 to 12 sessions costs $1500 and the drug, for a 90 day supply, cost $120, they will choose the drug. And, that is not even looking at a generic, which could be as cheap as $20 for a three month supply. Of course, the therapy would seem more cost effective in the long run. But, insurance companies don't think that way. They view the therapy outcome as too likely to either not fully occur, or if it does occur, the chances of relapse as being too high. The other thing to consider, is that while drug prices over the counter are quite high, the generics are starting to really catch the notice of the insurance companies. In fact, its likely now that if you have a depressed patient, you may have no choice but to put him or her first on a generic drug, or the insurance company will not pay. That is, even if the generic is less effective for the particular mental condition. It doesn't matter, the insurance company still insists you go with the generic first and will fight you even after that if you try to prescribe a newer, more effective and expensive drug. Bottom line, the general population needs to know how much of what happens is not under the control of doctors or patients, but under the control of insurance companies and big business. For them, it's always about the "bottom line," and people getting sick is just "par for the course." So, the more you save in the short run, the more they see their profits as being protected and increasing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

emotional freedom and flow
[Report this comment]
Posted by: caru on Apr 17, 2008 3:44 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
flow (bliss) is not an amerikan invention. the most ancient traditions -- yogic and shamanic -- make bliss, ectasy and flow the ultimate attainment.

negative feelings create disruptions in the energetic system (ancient systems call this by many names like: the pranic system, chi, nadis and meridians). yoga is all about cleansing this system to attain bliss. when modern technology looks at blissful yogis they see amazing things.

a stanford engineer found that by manipulating key accupressure points, one can reset ones energetic system. check this if you want to get some relief from any mental or physical ailment.

i can attest this stuff works and is attainable by every human.

DRUG FREE!
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT)


herbs are given by the mother but big pharma wasnt.

at youtube search EFT ... there are 'tap alongs'

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: emotional freedom and flow Posted by: TheLimit
» RE: emotional freedom and flow Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

Heres an idea....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Fat Man at the Buffet Line on Apr 17, 2008 3:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe if people learned a little bit more about their emotions and how their minds worked and were proactive about making their lot in life better, things would be a whole lot different.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: e rice
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: Fat Man at the Buffet Line
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: TheLimit
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: Scott

Comments are closed-

Great Article
[Report this comment]
Posted by: critical.commentary on Apr 17, 2008 6:53 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is a great article.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Depression is a part of life & Sociology of Mental Health
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mcstewey on Apr 17, 2008 7:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
2 things:
1) If you liked this article, check out this great interview with Miriam Greenspan from the January issue of "The Sun"

Through a Glass Darkly

She argues that the avoidance of the dark emotions is behind the escalating levels of depression, addiction, anxiety, and irrational violence in the U.S. and throughout the world. We can't move beyond our depression by ignoring it or covering it up with pills.

2) The expanding field of mental health within sociology has taken great strides in understanding the social and cultural impacts on individual mental health. Yes, genetics matter, but we can't ignore culture/society. I applaud Barber for talking about this aspect of a very serious issue. Much more is needed. Unfortunately any attempt to question the Western way of life (mass consumption and corporate capitalism) is blocked by big-business and "people" calling you "un-American."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

"Use only the drugs
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Apr 17, 2008 9:58 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
prescribed by your boss or supervisor" - Jello Biafra, from "Shut Up, Be Happy".

jdfu!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

cubicle culture
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sweet_byrd on Apr 18, 2008 12:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
American culture has little respect or room for "awareness and artistic sensitivity", whether depression-related or not. Perhaps that accounts for our propensity to prescribe anti-depressants as a first choice, rather than to try counseling, therapy or anything else. Just shut up and take your magic pill so you can work your 40-60 hour weeks (not counting commute) and be a "good", "productive" member of society. Who cares if you're alienated from your family, your community and your inner landscape? Take your drugs and go sit in your cube.

Depression is real. "Major depression" and prolonged dysthemia can ruin lives -- they are very different than the transitory blues or "lifestyle disorders". I know this from personal experience. But when so many of us take the wonder drug from Pfizer (or Merck or Lilly) just to get through our days, it makes you wonder about society.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: cubicle culture Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

Psychiatry?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bikerdude on Apr 19, 2008 4:55 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That headline is a little misleading. As I read the article, it is more about how the pharmaceutical industry is medicating the nation. Some of the facts like the U.S. and N.Z. are the only two countries that permit advertising prescription drugs on TV explains a lot. Instead of patients seeking help and advice from a therapist or psychologist for their mental problems, the are taking the ad to their primary care physician and he is prescribing these drugs without proper treatment. This is a very serious problem, especially since the rate of abuse of prescription drugs is soaring....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Psychiatry? Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

Try this simple exercise for a clue
[Report this comment]
Posted by: blondesprite on Apr 20, 2008 5:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Try reading and following for example, the instructions for making pancakes from scratch. While very near by and just out of view, someone you do not know or trust, is screaming the words to The Charge of the Light Brigade in your ear.
Will you take a medication prescribed to you by a physician that, albeit temporarily, makes the stranger stop screaming or disappear while you attempt to feed your hungry child? Absolutely!
On the other hand,if you lose your job, get way behind on your car,house and credit card payments, your unemployment insurance is running out, bill collectors are calling all hours of the day and night, there are no employment opportunities on your immediate horizon, meanwhile your significant other is threatening to leave.
Do you grab a beer, a joint, go for a long walk, try to find a quiet corner and meditate, run to your nearest spiritual adviser or support group,or head to the local pharmacist?
These two very different and equally dibilitating examples represent situational (external) depression and (internal) clinical depression.
How a person choses to cope, provided there are funds to access medication or hospitalization, yoga classes, self help books, enroll in re-education classes for some future employment,file for bankruptcy and divorce or put money in the church coffers, is an individual freedom still worth preserving.
There are no silver bullets and no two circumstances or solutions will ever be the same, just individuals coping the best they can.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Holes in the Wall
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Urban Myth #3 on Apr 20, 2008 11:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A good read of Alvin Toffler's 'Future Shock' might be useful - we live in the age of technological and information Bombardment.
Suicide rates have never (pro rata) been so high.
As a NZ resident I have yet to see a TV ad for a Prescription Medication - Panadol etc sure (and why not?).
Maybe a lot of small "d" depressives have caught the disease before it becomes big "D" - so they don't reach homelessness and degradation and suicide.
According the line given, Ernie Hemingway would have had the small "d" stuff right?
Nobel Prize winning Author, been everywhere, done everything, millionaire, world at his feet - who just happened to eat the end of his shotgun despite the best treatments available.....
I've seen people get off anti-d's (once their issues are manageable) with Omega3 fish oil - hardly a boilover.
In Japan alcohol was THE Medicine. At night the Ginza would be full of businessmen drinking all night and then after a few hours sleep - returning to work - a competitiion to see who could get there earliest. Loyalty you see. Deaths related to this lifestyle were massive.
The British approach is ok, unless your subject has an episode which pushes them right over the edge without warning - sort of like saying gunpowder is harmless....precautions are to be recommended.
Sibling problems have to be related to the age of the child. The younger the damage occurs, the more likely it will lead to Serious Problems. If violence is involved before the age of 3, that problem becomes part of the victim's primal makeup - not something to diddle round with!
There is another 'Disease' called Denial - that is minimising or refusing to admit problems - it's a real Killer!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Travelertoo
[Report this comment]
Posted by: travelertoo on Apr 22, 2008 9:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I know of several people who killed themselves that were taking anti-depressants. I also hear almost daily about someone who kills their family and of course they were taking medication. BIG PHARMA STIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

TV on the web.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Lagstorm on Apr 17, 2008 12:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just torrent your favorite shows and then there's no commercials! I haven't had a symptom in about 4 years.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Huh? Posted by: fluffmuffinmom
» Try reading the article Posted by: war_on_tara

Comments are closed-

Terrorist
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HeKnew on Apr 17, 2008 12:38 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Be efficient...be happy...

THX1138

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

EXTERNAL vs INTERNAL INFLUENCES
[Report this comment]
Posted by: skizum on Apr 17, 2008 4:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Perhaps there are some imbalances that require medication but we simply don't know enough about the basics of human behavior to make informed decisions about medication yet.

One day I asked myself the question, “Wouldn’t it be nice if there were some sort of ‘one stop shopping’ guidelines or handbook that I could reference to reflect on and use affect my level of happiness? I’m not talking about a resource like religion, the girl scouts, or any other organization built around externally and subjectively generated criteria, that I may or may not feel good about fulfilling. I want something that is based primarily on my internally and objectively generated needs relative to the modalities through which I perceive my world namely; psychological, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Criteria that I feel 100% good in fulfilling.” I kept thinking, there’s got to be some free resource out there like this.

I spent quite a bit of time researching and gathering my thoughts but I did not find exactly what I was seeking. I did find that there are a myriad of resources scattered across psychology*, psychiatry*, anthropology*, medicine*, religion*, ethics*, government* and many other institutions of history, wisdom and knowledge. However, the vast majority of these resources are present themselves out of context to one another. Whereas, in my real life, everything is constantly juxtaposed against everything else to create the conditions which determine my state of mind and thus influence my human behavior.

As a scientist and artist, this led me to wonder if there is any basic ‘alphabet’ or ‘periodic table’ or ‘basic set of variables’ that can be used to describe the basic elements that inspire human behavior; surely an achievable endeavor. If this resource existed, all these theories could be contextualized using a common set of variables and better understood in relative terms.

Doesn't it make sense that each of us should have a clear idea of what balance of needs* we must fulfill in our lives to be happy. Wouldn’t it be great if we knew what do to bring ourselves back into balance, and it was free? If more of us, including the most aggressive ones, were in balance with ourselves, could we solve so many of our world’s problems based on models that create imbalance?

The problem is that, as individuals, cultures and societies, we spend so much of our time focusing on influences external to ourselves that we create solutions to solve external problems when it is the internal ones that need solving. Every one of us should start learning to understand what are basic psychological(+)* needs ARE and how we can, as individuals and societies, fulfill them in a humanely balanced way.

In the face of all the bad trends that are happening, the good news is that this process can begin now, you can consider, reflect, write, think and communicate right in your own living room. You can still contribute and act on your findings in your daily life, for now.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I don't take pills when I have a headache. Try meditation for 5 minutes.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Apr 17, 2008 6:02 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And that's just an example. Seriously though, Big Pharma has been NUMBING America for decades ever since outlawing truly harmless but helpful plants. When ever some dumb motherfucker tries to say "pot smoker", I shoot back and ask them how they enjoy their petrochemically manufactured poison pills they keep gulping down from Big Pharma. And to be honest, if the Left really cared about being happy, they'd be fighting the Big Pharma tooth and nail by working towards overturning the ban on Cannabis in the first place.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Or just drink a glass of water Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

You have to be Sedated to live in this Corpirate Hell Hole!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: williameon on Apr 17, 2008 6:20 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Treat the symptoms instead of curing the disease!
Placebo America.
Another TRILLION (a million millions)
Flushed down the
Toilet.
Eat Adulterated Food, drink polluted Water and live in a poisonous Environment
And
What do you get?
Sicker and
Deeper in Debt!
Oh, Thank you so much!
Mr. Corpirate God (CEO).
Trouble is?
Half of the people are so brainwashed and numb that:
They know or care little about it.
Slaves working three jobs, with no: security, no health insurance, no education and a
As the Shrub Said:
Uniquely American!
Corpirates Gone Wild!
When the Sh-t Hits The FAN?
Who do you think is going to save you?

He will be flying high above it in a Private Jet
or
Floating around
In a
Ark Sized Yacht.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

sslyon
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sslyon on Apr 17, 2008 6:20 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's gratifying to see important facets of this topic explored in depth at last. One of the first and most astute explorations of overmedication with anti-depressants of our population was L. Marinoff, PH.D in his 1999 work, "Plato Not Prozac". He treats his readers to revealing perspectives on the genesis of splits between philosophy, psychiatry and psychology and a stunning revealation of how the DSM has grown from 1952 with 152 listed disorders to 1994 listing 374, including such beauties as "Lottery Stress Disorder". Books of these kinds provide a tardy but essential start to a national self-evaluation into a mental health system in real -and hugely expensive, distress.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» we are destroying ourselves Posted by: toddcory
» we are destroying ourselves Posted by: toddcory

Comments are closed-

I am angered by the message in this article!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Nightstallion on Apr 17, 2008 6:36 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Human beings are already shirking their duty to themselves and their progeny. Since the author of this book won’t say it to AlterNet, I’ll say it.

All medications are Band-Aids! We do not treat or heal illness we “Masque” it. All so-called Antidepressant medications are legal thievery performed by a callous, invasive, and evasive American Medical Association. Said latter body is hell bent on getting away with money laundering and using male bovine excrement to haze J.Q.P. (John Q. Public) into purchasing chemical lobotomy to treat an already terminal condition called life!

As for brain chemical imbalance, that is pure unadulterated hogwash! Folks, this is a chicken and egg conundrum here. Yes, we have emotional imbalance, yes, we have paranoia, but also, and yes we do not have any such thing as a non-causal situation here.
Your brain chemistry is going to be haywire if you have been traumatized emotionally or physically. This is a fact not a conjecture! Besides, if you are paranoid it is because press, politicians, banking analysts, and most especially doctors who WILL use your ignorance of Greek & Latin to tell you that you have an illness that is NOT an illness are lying you to. For instance: Doctor to patient: “You are suffering from polymyalgia (Poly Gr. Meaning many /Myos Gr. Meaning muscle groups/ algia Gr. From Algol meaning Pain). Wonderful you have a condition that may be any of over a hundred different injuries, diseases, or disintegrations.

Cow dung people and pain medications are ALL addictive. You would be better off going to a naturopath or some other “Faith” healer or Witchdoctor. All psycho active drugs are addictive or they have contraindications that scare the urine out of me when I read them. Put a doctor on a lie detector if you don’t believe me. DO NOT believe these physicians of today! Every single one of them is a snake oil salesman on one level or another.

Thanks for reading,

Nightstallion

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE:small print..xxx prama porn Posted by: wittler youth
» Right on, Nightstallion! Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

Great article!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Gravitas on Apr 17, 2008 6:51 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If only Americans could turn off Dancing With the Stars long enough to read it! Then I wouldn't have to worry about all their eliminated drugs showing up in my drinking water.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: My mother watches,I don't. Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

leftbank
[Report this comment]
Posted by: markw4786 on Apr 17, 2008 6:59 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Every high school and college massacre had one common denominator...legal prescribed psychotropic drugs. The mothers who drown their children in bathtubs...Prozac and its mind altering cousins.
There is a substance that people have been using for thousands of years for anxiety and depression with no murder or massacre association...pot!
All kidding aside, the mental health protocols, like medical care is nothing but the indiscriminate distribution of dangerous drugs, poorly tested, with side effects too often worse than the disorder or disease being treated. PATIENT, HEAL THYSELF.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: leftbank Posted by: HoboHomo

Comments are closed-

Drugs keep the sheep in the pen. . .
[Report this comment]
Posted by: redceres on Apr 17, 2008 7:23 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and also from struggling so much against the knife.

Keep in mind that our government, by and large, allows the drug industry to regulate itself "voluntarily," and that drugs are approved only after a process during which the company pays the government to "test" them.

Keep in mind the way that these industries already come between your doctor and his/her Hippocratic oath--when's the last time, migraine sufferers, that you went to the emergency room and were offered a shot of cheap, effective morphine instead of a noticeably less effective and exponentially more expensive "designer" migraine drug? The rest of you, how frequently have you gone to the doctor with something that turns out to be just a general complaint, such as allergies, digestive, or sinus issues, and been offered a daily drug to "prevent" some discomfort, instead of suggested lifestyle changes and an over-the-counter remedy just to relieve the symptoms?

Yes, some people need medical help--but how often do you NEED to take something like Flomax? Was it healthier to drug yourself through a divorce? Is it worth risking cancer to avoid some arthritis pain, as one current tv ad suggests? Maybe some people would still say yes--but how conscienable is it for our trusted institutions to pretend that over-medication should be the norm, and then to reap profits both in terms of drug sales and check-ups as well as in further health problems resulting from the drugs?

Keep in mind also the administration's desire to protect the telecom giants from prosecution because of their illegal acts of complicity in violating the Constitutional rights of citizens (it only seems random for a second if you think about it).

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Oh so true...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: thoughtcriminal on Apr 17, 2008 7:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Quote: "Barber trains his eye to the confluence of science and culture that have led to the widespread prescribing of medications once reserved for the most serious cases."

I would say that it is a confluence of media, financial and pharmaceutical interests that is responsible for the situation. For example, here's a theme that you never hear in the corporate press:

"We should go back to a legal ban on advertising any prescription drug"

Why not? Yes, it's because of horizontal monopolistic integration at the shareholder level between media, finance and pharmaceuticals:

Pfizer

Merck

Genentech

BristolMyersSquibb

TimeWarner (CNN)

NewsCorp (FOX)

General Electric (NBC)

Disney (ABC)

New York Times Co

Bank of America

Goldman Sachs

JP Morgan Chase

You get the same names, over and over, as the leading shareholders:

VANGUARD
Capital Research Global Investors
FIDELITY
DODGE & COX
Barclays Global Investors UK
STATE STREET CORPORATION
AXA
FRANKLIN
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Capital World Investors
etc.

So, the corporate press is a) earning a lot of money off selling ad space to pharmaceutical corporations, and b) is owned by the very same individuals and institutions that own the drug corporations. It's like a corporate system founded on cocaine & heroin sales - of course they want you to keep taking your medications! They'll even get laws passed that say you have to take your medications. . . for your own good.

That's why articles like this are relegated to the Internet, and why you should never believe what the corporate press has to say about your health.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Oh so true... Posted by: tornadorider2002
» RE: Oh so true... Posted by: bikerdude

Comments are closed-

Pill - I don't blame people for taking them.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: keyinside on Apr 17, 2008 7:54 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In this era of corrupt, war-mongering, asleep at the wheel politicians, corporate greed, global warming, and a population that refuses to stand up for their own self interest against their oppressors, pills dont' seem like such a bad idea.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Antidepressants and antipsychotics ARE good for some people
[Report this comment]
Posted by: olderworker on Apr 17, 2008 8:01 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is way too much fear-mongering in this article and in the comments.

I am a psychotherapist (not a physician) and I do refer some clients to psychiatrists for psychoactive medication. Whether you Alternet readers want to admit it or not, there are some people whose mental faculties are not the best. I have clients who, without medication, are paranoid and self-destructive. With medication, they are calm and get along well in the world.

I admit that the pharmaceutical companies would probably like for everyone to be on these substances, and I agree, they're NOT for everyone. These medications are not for people with mild depression, but for more seriously disturbed individuals.

Thanks for letting me have my say.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» mild depression isn't necessarily mild Posted by: inverse_agonist
» cannabis Posted by: meetmeineleusis

Comments are closed-

"We have not lost faith, but we have transferred it...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: war_on_tara on Apr 17, 2008 8:14 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...from God to the medical profession." - George Bernard Shaw

I especially liked the part where in Japan, depression isn't considered a big deal. "The soul catching cold" is a nice image.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

SEIU advertising on alternet is just as bad as those med ads
[Report this comment]
Posted by: logansafi on Apr 17, 2008 8:31 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As an RN, I am getting a little bit sick of seeing those SEIU advertisements on alternet. SEIU is a union that has a tradition of scabbing on other unions, including the California Nurses Association. What is their advertising doing here at alternet? I think it is a lot like pharmaceutical companies advertising to doctors, don't you think?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Bull. Post a reference. Posted by: thoughtcriminal

Comments are closed-

It's been quite a while since Freud
[Report this comment]
Posted by: willymack on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Did the initial work leading to the field of psychology. Ziggy baby has been largely discredited in recent years, both by mavericks and at contentious symposiums (DSMs). Keep in mind, Freud was a pioneer in a brand new field, and he was going in a direction not attempted before. He wouldn't have claimed to be the end all in his field, and neither should anyone else; the field is still relatively new, and psychology is not yet a mature science. Using chemical agents to affect behavioral changes in people is a crap shoot at best, and often dangerous or even life-threatening when misused. The fact about drug companies is that in their quest for enormous profits, they've created a phantasy world wherein a chemical cure for just about anything from hurt feelings to fatigue brought on by not enough sleep is readily available at your corner drugstore; That'll be $29.95, please. Still groggy from the sleep aid you took last night? Not to worry; we have a pick-me-up that'll take care of that. Fourty three dollars, please. Insatiable greed is what drives Big Pharma, nowadays. Freud must be spinning in his grave.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Freud and Prozac Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

SSRIs, the anti-LSD
[Report this comment]
Posted by: meetmeineleusis on Apr 17, 2008 9:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Back in the 60s, the peace movement had an influence that so many people have readily forgotten.

LSD was banned NOT because it causes hallucinations, but because it "inspired revolutionary and anti-government tendencies"

LSD temporarily grants you a filter to view the world through, and generally, while on it, you gain a profound understanding of who is fucking you over, how thoroughly, and how often.

The stuff makes you want to take to the streets and do something.

40 years later, and what little research we managed to glean about psychoactives during the golden age of psychedelic drugs has been twisted to give us pharmaceutical monstrosities like prozac and paxil.

These drugs fill you with false contentment, They take away your drive to raise hell, and they help you to tolerate what should be considered intolerable. SSRIs are the anti-LSD, and the powers that be know it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» but the fact is Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» Perhaps a coincidence Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: inverse_agonist
» DMT / Ayahuasca Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» DMT / Ayahuasca Posted by: Cathyc
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: nodozejoze
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: e rice
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: nodozejoze
» RE: SSRIs, the anti-LSD Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

What? No chemical imbalance in mentally-ill brains?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HughScott on Apr 17, 2008 9:24 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The author wrote, "There is no clear chemical imbalance for any mental illness."

BULLSHIT!

I have two family members in their late 40s who are bi-polar. Despite severe mental breakdowns and serial hospitalizations as young adults, they finished college and are now productive members of society.

Their success managing manic depression over the years is due primarily to drugs taken daily that treat bipolar brains.

Don't tell me chemical imbalance isn't a factor in some mental illnesses.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You're right. Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

SSRIs used in War Theater...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Apr 17, 2008 9:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
you heard me. selective seretonin re-uptake inhibitors.

used to keep the Troops shoot'n...

"Forced to Fight", the story of War: but SSRIs used in Iraq & Afghan War Theatre

gee, could this be why Afghans talk about how American troops are scary because they're moody & trigger-happy?

that & the **steroids** abuse... gee, that'll make ya stable...

Screaming In An Empty Room: Potent Mixture: Zoloft & A Rifle

Nazis on Steroids - That's just great

How Nazis used amphetamines / meth (Pervetin) to keep their troops 'fight'n'...

~~~
Spread Love...

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
ThisCanadian com
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"
"do no harm"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Ahh amphetamines Posted by: meetmeineleusis
» killing 'trigger anxiety'... Posted by: BlueBerry PickN

Comments are closed-

antidepressants aren't all bad
[Report this comment]
Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous on Apr 17, 2008 9:28 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I too am a non-physician psychotherapist. Many of the people I see are not having enough difficulty dealing with life problems to need more than psychotherapy but others are in need of psychiatric medication either because of the nature of their mental health issues or because the level of depression or anxiety they are experiencing is too severe for them to cope with with out the temporary help of medication. Anxiety and/or depression do not always require medication but that should be determined by a mental health professional. Some disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, to name two, do require medication because they appear to be both biological and chronic in nature -- based on what we know at this time. My comment here is not a substitute for competent face-to-face professional mental health evaluation and/or treatment and should not be in any way construed as mental health advice and/ evaluation and/or treatment.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: "Based on what we know at this time" Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: "Based on what we know at this time" Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: antidepressants aren't all bad Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous
» RE: antidepressants aren't all bad Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

The real problem isn't the drugs
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ReallyBearish on Apr 17, 2008 10:22 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's that you have too many physicians treating symptoms and not causes.

I took SSRIs for mild depression (that also cured compulsive behavior and phobias), and then stopped. I know many others that have had the same experience.

I've also seen people loaded up on various drugs by doctors who did not try to deal with the underlying psychological problems.

SSRIs work (in spite of what the Scientologists think). Doctors simply need to start looking at the problems with more sophistication.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

The concept of a 'pharmaceutical crime against humanity'
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kiwijohn on Apr 17, 2008 10:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We spend more time trying to 'get back into balance' rather than avoiding 'getting out of balance' in the first place?

For the latter, there are some ‘one stop shopping’ guidelines that have been around for several millennia. They center around what grandmother called wholesome diet and living. And no, they don't involve dietary supplements.

This age-old remedy may require that we need to examine and make changes to the way we look after our little planet. And that will take many years to take effect.

Until we as a society comprehend that 'placing the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff' is not an appropriate way to provide sustainable health care, we will unfortunately and inevitably fail to address the root causes of this systemic and all-pervasive pharmaceutical crime against humanity.

From more of a scientific point of view, I would suggest we first need to look at the sequence of cause and effect. And perhaps we do need to start putting more emphasis on a sustainable solution to the way in which we look after our planet?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

I Think That There Must be Some Basis for the Chemical Theory
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bab5nutz on Apr 17, 2008 10:39 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There are families [including my own], where mental illness keeps turning up. And this is despite the fact that their upbringings varied a great deal, from abusive to the white-picket-fence-too-good to be true.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

practicing professionals need to come together
[Report this comment]
Posted by: empathyshocks on Apr 17, 2008 10:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To the psychotherapists who replied, I think if you read the article closely you'll see that Arthur Barber isn't recommending we eliminate drugs altogether. Obviously in a minority of instances they are efficacious and needed. Barber is commenting on their over-prescription for purpose of profit. It's pretty simple, tell someone they have something, sell them the cure.

Doctors, Psychiatrists, Therapists, all need to organize themselves instead of passing the buck, or justifying their actions because it will pay for their daughter's college etc, or generally not giving a shit.
The general public can try and apply pressure through specific targeting and drawing attention, but most active citizens know most of the country is too self-obsessed to even read someone else's picket sign, much less care.

If the general public is either too uninformed (due to media complicity with drug corps.), too drugged (due to eli lilly), or too self-interested (due to generally being an ass), it comes to the practicing professionals to shoulder some responsibility. If you're not taking what the big boys are feeding you, you aren't helping out their profit margins and simultaneously messing up billy bob's neurotransmitter relays because he shed a few tears from the suffering of being human.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: practicing professionals need to come together Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous

Comments are closed-

"It's Bad For Ya"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: len2 on Apr 17, 2008 11:12 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"studies have shown"

...that exercise works as well as common anti-depressants, and many clinicians admit it.

... that placebos work as well as anti-depressants (except for the 2% who really do have a chemistry problem).

... that placebos have the same effects in the brain as anti-depressants.

So if you're feeling bad, switch hardcore to healthy nutrition, (eg, Rosedale), get on your bike, to the pool, to the gym (sorry, walking isn't aerobic), and get plenty of sleep.

Quit running to the docs, those pills are "bad for ya", they cutoff the highs of living as well as the lows of living, dehumanizing, kill libido and erections, create the problem of "who I am", and "where have I been", when you come off them.

It's a huge effort to resist all the crap of Standard American Life, but it's do-able, if You Want to Break Free. You don't need LSD.

Standard American Life, it's a vicious killer.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: "It's Bad For Ya" Posted by: mazel
» Sources for these claims? Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

Still crazy after all these years!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Doclove on Apr 17, 2008 12:55 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Here's a big Da for the rest of you guys. I've been battling the Mental Health industry for years. I have a sleep dysfunction called night terrors. Ever since 1973 when it was diagnosed all kinds of mental health people have been trying to turn me into a zombie! You see stress triggers the attacks so with meditation and focused relaxation I keep the attacks from happening. Fatigue also is a trigger so occasionally I throw people or peoples out of the bed.(for their safety) To give you an idea about how badly THEY overreact; I was in a car wreck several months ago. When the pain killers ran out I started having bad night terrors from the concussion I suffered in the wreck. I knew what it was, swelling pressing on my brain stem. So I go running to the doctor to get a little something to put me in a deep sleep. She hit me with the highest dose of a generic form of Ambin(10 mg.). So I didn't just sleep I was in a coma!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» good point about doctors Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

Use of SSRI's Among US Workers
[Report this comment]
Posted by: drricklippin on Apr 17, 2008 1:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
AlterNet

Thanks for publishing this interview on this worthy book which I will purchase

I was interviewed by Dr.Jay Cohen on the important topic of SSRI use by American Workers

Thanks for your interest in my niche on this topic.

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Use of SSRI's Among US Workers Posted by: drricklippin

Comments are closed-

Largesse of the Owning-Class
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DaBear on Apr 17, 2008 2:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This really must be a rich person's problem because poor people can't get these medications even if they really need them.

Every 25th day I go through a 12-28 hour ordeal with the insurance company, pharmacist and doc to get the vital meds my two children with severe MI need. I have to fight the HMO tooth and nail to get an appointment with a knowledgeable doc... most HMO's only have access to 20 visits a year with someone with a mere MSW and NO experience with severe MI. There is only one psychiatrist or psychologist and they don't take new patients.

There is NO mental health care in the United States, not for the working class and poor. What passes for the charade of mental health in the US is reserved for the Owners.

Poor poor rich babies and their middling serfs can't stand their twitchy legs, their penis that won't get hard, their negative feelings, their inability to smile for five minutes a day. Fuckers!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Not only the "owning class" Posted by: olderworker
» RE: Largesse of the Owning-Class Posted by: allyourbasearebelongtous

Comments are closed-

What about epilepsy?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: frantaylor on Apr 17, 2008 2:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Thwre are drugs that are both antidepressant and antiseizure. When you quote the usage of antidepressant drugs, are you discounting those who take them for their antiseizure effects? Perhaps there are more eplieptics and fewer depressed people than the statistics indicate.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: What about epilepsy? Posted by: fanny666

Comments are closed-

Cost factors, insurance companies and generics
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sofla100 on Apr 17, 2008 3:36 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Most insurance companies view the drugs as more cost effective then the psychotherapy. If the psychotherapy, say for 10 to 12 sessions costs $1500 and the drug, for a 90 day supply, cost $120, they will choose the drug. And, that is not even looking at a generic, which could be as cheap as $20 for a three month supply. Of course, the therapy would seem more cost effective in the long run. But, insurance companies don't think that way. They view the therapy outcome as too likely to either not fully occur, or if it does occur, the chances of relapse as being too high. The other thing to consider, is that while drug prices over the counter are quite high, the generics are starting to really catch the notice of the insurance companies. In fact, its likely now that if you have a depressed patient, you may have no choice but to put him or her first on a generic drug, or the insurance company will not pay. That is, even if the generic is less effective for the particular mental condition. It doesn't matter, the insurance company still insists you go with the generic first and will fight you even after that if you try to prescribe a newer, more effective and expensive drug. Bottom line, the general population needs to know how much of what happens is not under the control of doctors or patients, but under the control of insurance companies and big business. For them, it's always about the "bottom line," and people getting sick is just "par for the course." So, the more you save in the short run, the more they see their profits as being protected and increasing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

emotional freedom and flow
[Report this comment]
Posted by: caru on Apr 17, 2008 3:44 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
flow (bliss) is not an amerikan invention. the most ancient traditions -- yogic and shamanic -- make bliss, ectasy and flow the ultimate attainment.

negative feelings create disruptions in the energetic system (ancient systems call this by many names like: the pranic system, chi, nadis and meridians). yoga is all about cleansing this system to attain bliss. when modern technology looks at blissful yogis they see amazing things.

a stanford engineer found that by manipulating key accupressure points, one can reset ones energetic system. check this if you want to get some relief from any mental or physical ailment.

i can attest this stuff works and is attainable by every human.

DRUG FREE!
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM TECHNIQUE (EFT)


herbs are given by the mother but big pharma wasnt.

at youtube search EFT ... there are 'tap alongs'

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: emotional freedom and flow Posted by: TheLimit
» RE: emotional freedom and flow Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

Heres an idea....
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Fat Man at the Buffet Line on Apr 17, 2008 3:47 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe if people learned a little bit more about their emotions and how their minds worked and were proactive about making their lot in life better, things would be a whole lot different.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: e rice
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: Fat Man at the Buffet Line
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: TheLimit
» RE: Heres an idea.... Posted by: Scott

Comments are closed-

Great Article
[Report this comment]
Posted by: critical.commentary on Apr 17, 2008 6:53 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is a great article.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Depression is a part of life & Sociology of Mental Health
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mcstewey on Apr 17, 2008 7:20 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
2 things:
1) If you liked this article, check out this great interview with Miriam Greenspan from the January issue of "The Sun"

Through a Glass Darkly

She argues that the avoidance of the dark emotions is behind the escalating levels of depression, addiction, anxiety, and irrational violence in the U.S. and throughout the world. We can't move beyond our depression by ignoring it or covering it up with pills.

2) The expanding field of mental health within sociology has taken great strides in understanding the social and cultural impacts on individual mental health. Yes, genetics matter, but we can't ignore culture/society. I applaud Barber for talking about this aspect of a very serious issue. Much more is needed. Unfortunately any attempt to question the Western way of life (mass consumption and corporate capitalism) is blocked by big-business and "people" calling you "un-American."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

"Use only the drugs
[Report this comment]
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Apr 17, 2008 9:58 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
prescribed by your boss or supervisor" - Jello Biafra, from "Shut Up, Be Happy".

jdfu!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

cubicle culture
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sweet_byrd on Apr 18, 2008 12:07 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
American culture has little respect or room for "awareness and artistic sensitivity", whether depression-related or not. Perhaps that accounts for our propensity to prescribe anti-depressants as a first choice, rather than to try counseling, therapy or anything else. Just shut up and take your magic pill so you can work your 40-60 hour weeks (not counting commute) and be a "good", "productive" member of society. Who cares if you're alienated from your family, your community and your inner landscape? Take your drugs and go sit in your cube.

Depression is real. "Major depression" and prolonged dysthemia can ruin lives -- they are very different than the transitory blues or "lifestyle disorders". I know this from personal experience. But when so many of us take the wonder drug from Pfizer (or Merck or Lilly) just to get through our days, it makes you wonder about society.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: cubicle culture Posted by: e rice

Comments are closed-

Psychiatry?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: bikerdude on Apr 19, 2008 4:55 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That headline is a little misleading. As I read the article, it is more about how the pharmaceutical industry is medicating the nation. Some of the facts like the U.S. and N.Z. are the only two countries that permit advertising prescription drugs on TV explains a lot. Instead of patients seeking help and advice from a therapist or psychologist for their mental problems, the are taking the ad to their primary care physician and he is prescribing these drugs without proper treatment. This is a very serious problem, especially since the rate of abuse of prescription drugs is soaring....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Psychiatry? Posted by: JackOfCircles

Comments are closed-

Try this simple exercise for a clue
[Report this comment]
Posted by: blondesprite on Apr 20, 2008 5:36 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Try reading and following for example, the instructions for making pancakes from scratch. While very near by and just out of view, someone you do not know or trust, is screaming the words to The Charge of the Light Brigade in your ear.
Will you take a medication prescribed to you by a physician that, albeit temporarily, makes the stranger stop screaming or disappear while you attempt to feed your hungry child? Absolutely!
On the other hand,if you lose your job, get way behind on your car,house and credit card payments, your unemployment insurance is running out, bill collectors are calling all hours of the day and night, there are no employment opportunities on your immediate horizon, meanwhile your significant other is threatening to leave.
Do you grab a beer, a joint, go for a long walk, try to find a quiet corner and meditate, run to your nearest spiritual adviser or support group,or head to the local pharmacist?
These two very different and equally dibilitating examples represent situational (external) depression and (internal) clinical depression.
How a person choses to cope, provided there are funds to access medication or hospitalization, yoga classes, self help books, enroll in re-education classes for some future employment,file for bankruptcy and divorce or put money in the church coffers, is an individual freedom still worth preserving.
There are no silver bullets and no two circumstances or solutions will ever be the same, just individuals coping the best they can.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Holes in the Wall
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Urban Myth #3 on Apr 20, 2008 11:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A good read of Alvin Toffler's 'Future Shock' might be useful - we live in the age of technological and information Bombardment.
Suicide rates have never (pro rata) been so high.
As a NZ resident I have yet to see a TV ad for a Prescription Medication - Panadol etc sure (and why not?).
Maybe a lot of small "d" depressives have caught the disease before it becomes big "D" - so they don't reach homelessness and degradation and suicide.
According the line given, Ernie Hemingway would have had the small "d" stuff right?
Nobel Prize winning Author, been everywhere, done everything, millionaire, world at his feet - who just happened to eat the end of his shotgun despite the best treatments available.....
I've seen people get off anti-d's (once their issues are manageable) with Omega3 fish oil - hardly a boilover.
In Japan alcohol was THE Medicine. At night the Ginza would be full of businessmen drinking all night and then after a few hours sleep - returning to work - a competitiion to see who could get there earliest. Loyalty you see. Deaths related to this lifestyle were massive.
The British approach is ok, unless your subject has an episode which pushes them right over the edge without warning - sort of like saying gunpowder is harmless....precautions are to be recommended.
Sibling problems have to be related to the age of the child. The younger the damage occurs, the more likely it will lead to Serious Problems. If violence is involved before the age of 3, that problem becomes part of the victim's primal makeup - not something to diddle round with!
There is another 'Disease' called Denial - that is minimising or refusing to admit problems - it's a real Killer!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Comments are closed-

Travelertoo
[Report this comment]
Posted by: travelertoo on Apr 22, 2008 9:40 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I know of several people who killed themselves that were taking anti-depressants. I also hear almost daily about someone who kills their family and of course they were taking medication. BIG PHARMA STIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

 
Advertisement
From The Blog
 
The Hollywood Double Standard: Tiger gets cooked, Charlie Sheen gets another free pass
 
Is Greece the New AIG?
 
Confused About Nutrition? Eat Food!
 
Insurer Denies Life-Prolonging Treatment To Five-Year-Old Boy With Cancer
 
Budget Paranoia
 
Why Does the U.S. Assassinate Americans?
 
Jon Stewart: Why Does Sarah Palin Need a Cheat Sheet?
 
We Must Lift the Veil on US Troops in Pakistan
 
Pushing for “Zero Tolerance” on Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
 
Updated: Obama Calls GOP Bluff on Health-Care Reform
 
MORE 
ALL BLOGS 
 
 
Most Read
Most Emailed
Most Discussed
On REDDIT
On DIGG
 
  1. Shadow Elite: How the World's New Power Brokers Are Upending Our Democracy
  2. New Poll Results Are Proof That Republicans Don't Think
  3. White "Savior-Afflicted" Christians, Black Haitian Babies: This Won't End Well
  4. Why I Had to Stop Making Hardcore Porn
  5. Sarah Palin Aims to Bust Up the Republican Party -- And the Tea Party Movement
  6. One Company Thinks They've Created Fast Food With a Conscience -- Are They Right?
  7. The Newest Diet Trend: What Would Jesus Eat?
  8. Could Your Cell Phone End Up Killing You?
  9. Half-Naked Hot Chicks and Beer: The Sexist Guyland of the Super Bowl Beer Commercial
  10. Top 10 Problems with America Killing Its Own Citizens
loading ...
POWERED BY DIGG'S USERS
ABOUT DIGG