Posted by linkadge on May 11, 2007, at 17:38:44
In reply to Re: Two scenarios to consider » kaleidoscope, posted by Johann on May 11, 2007, at 16:37:33
>Good delineation. Seems like any intelligent doc >would choose the second. And yes, unfortunately >there are too many that would choose the first, >but they are the minority in my experience.
But thats the problem. It all depends on how doctors are trained. Some doctors don't think for themselves and just follow the book. So if the book tells them to immediately suspect bipolar if a medication induces irritability, insomnia, akathesia, etc, then they will likely do it.
I feel that if classifications are followed too strictly then insight into the true problem suffers.
Thats what scares me about this "start suspecting bipolar" way of talking since for many (IMHO) it could mean a more complicated and possably burdonsome treatment algorithm when a simpler answer might be the sanest choice.
I honestly think most of this bipolar stuff is a reaction to the antidepressant backlash.
Think of it this way. Antidperessant prescription rates are down on account of black box warning of antidepressant induced suicidal behavior. Public oppinion of psychiatry has undoubtedly taken a hit over the issue. What better way does psychiatry have to try an turn the wheels around then to do what they do best? Rebrand the disease. I think it is now their strategy to convince people that the drugs were never to blame, but it was infact the patients being underlying bipolar.
I just see this all as a cheap attempt to try and regain public trust again.
People like Healy would reference studies suggesting that healthy people can become "arrogent, irritable, psychotic, and suicidal", after short term ingestion of antidepressants. Pointing to the very real possability that some of these behaviors are quite possably drug induced.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:757178
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070509/msgs/757897.html