Posted by jay on August 7, 2003, at 23:15:03
In reply to Newer neurosurgery looks to avoid lobotomy stigma, posted by jrbecker on August 7, 2003, at 22:19:23
One thing I am very suspicious and wonder about this is that there really can't be any "controlled scientific" studies. Hence, you could very easily get a placebo-type effect, and there are no controls to compare to. I'd also question the possibility of brain damage, because it could also be that a life with brain damage is even far more distressing than a suicide. (I am not trivializing suicide or depression...of course they are absolutely horrible. But, let's compare that to a life where you are pretty much just barely 'surviving' in a vegetable-like manner because of brain damage. What kind of 'life' is that?) So, given both arguments above, I don't think it is a risk anyone should ever take. I've lived with depression for about 20 years, about 12-13 medicated, and nothing would scare me more, and likely turn me to suicide, than having brain surgery. I'd rather be on 15 different medications, living on disability (which is *nothing* to be shameful about) than have my brain organically destroyed.
This may be an extreme opinion...but I am just being honest.
Thanks...and best..
Jay
poster:jay
thread:249162
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249174.html