Posted by Torrey on March 19, 1999, at 0:57:28
In reply to Re: Meds, therapy & ever-present depression , posted by Elizabeth on March 17, 1999, at 18:29:30
Elizabeth, I appreciated your thougtful comments. I'm sure that many psychiatrists would understand the distinctions you are making, but I was referring more to life on the "front lines" - how psychiatry is being *practiced* in general these days. Which is to say, making a quick Dx, and pulling out the prescription pad. I'm sure "managed care" is partly the culprit here, but the practice is justified by appeal to what you call the "medical model." The bottom line, from the patient's point of view, is "These problems are a physical (brain) illness, and these pills are the treatment."
You ask -
>"chemical imbalance?" does that mean *anything*?
and that's kind of what I was getting at. It does take the "blame" off, as you say, but it also substitutes, all too often, for thinking more critically about what is really going on. We need to be aware that there are *enormous* vested interests dedicated to the "medical model" of these conditions, including your friendly neighbourhood psychiatrist's livelihood, and hundreds of millions of dollars a year in drug sales.
Yes, the drugs have a more tangible effect than psychotherapy. As to whether that proves anything about "chemical imbalances"... "it ain't necessarily so." :)
Torrey
poster:Torrey
thread:3482
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990301/msgs/3806.html