Posted by jerrypharmstudent on June 10, 2007, at 4:07:25
In reply to Re: And not all psychol. probs are under one's control, posted by linkadge on June 5, 2007, at 14:55:30
> Thats exactly the problem. Neuroscience is so sexy cause it is, in may ways, a product of the imagination.
>
> The idea that you can be whatever you want with the help of a pill can be very distructive.
>
> Seeing as we are far away from this reality, we can really only poke around in ways too crude for much good.
>
> Just the fact that oftentimes withdrawl can make us feel worse than when we started a med is proof that the brain is trying to counteract these pills.
>
> IMHO, we are not getting to the root of any problem, we are just pumping the brain full of mental steroids that can provide a relatively short term boost to get over problems.
>
> People are so fascenated by effect. Just because coffee makes you feel better doesn't mean you have a coffee deficiancy.
>
> Pleasure works in gradients.
>
>
> Linkadge
>
"> The idea that you can be whatever you want with the help of a pill can be very distructive. "And a group of psychiatrists denying medications do not help and that depression is a lapse in character and will (which is basically what they are saying) is VERY VERY dangerous.
How many of us have tried to educate friend, family, etc about depression NOT being "all in our heads" - fighting the stigma that we can snap out of it?
IF we all have psychological control over our depression (which i do believe we have to SOME degree) then why aren't we all better? If we just THINK we're better - POOF MAGIC! No more depression! How easy was that?
It infuriates me to think that there are doctors out there who believe depression is purely psychological and that CBT is the only way to "cure" it. Which is quite a hypocrisy - how many studies have shown CBT to be as effective as an SSRI? Quite a lot actually which would point to the "chemical imbalance" theory. If we change our thinking we CHANGE our brain neurotransmitters.
CBT is an invaluable tool for depression and other mental illnesses - I'm not saying everyone needs to be on a pill. But the pill augments the therapyt and visa versa.
As someone posted - the brain is plastic and we are NOT in control of MANY of our brain's "psychological" processes. There are numerous studies showing differing brain physiology in those with a mental illness - as there are MRI's and PET scans showing abnormal concentrations of neruotransmitters in certain key areas of the brain in those with mental illness = chemical imbalance.
Although we are using somewhat "crude" methods of treating mental illness - neuroscience is not ALL stabbing in the dark. Yeah we don't know why ECT works for some people - but it can be a LIFESAVER. Why do some people repsond to Prozac and others Effexor? Why are millions still treatment resistant? We don't know - however, that does not equate to a conclusion that depression is purely voluntary psychological "imbalances" under our control.
I've been in therapy for 15 years. Why haven't I been cured?!? Have I just seen all the wrong therapists?! Same goes for the medical side of things -have I just been seeing all the wrong psychiatrists?!
I strongly believe that depression and other mental illnesses are part environmental and part genetic abnormalities. If it were purely psychological (which -actually what DOES that mean?!) - then a hypnotist should be able to pop use all out of our misery - right??? Or we are all pathetic, weak willed, unmotivated, lazy fakers WANTING to be depressed?? I don't think so.
Who here has not tried, prayed, done EVERYTHING in his or her power to SNAP out of being depressed?? Who here has had to FAKE being cheerful simply so others would be more at ease with us and not have to deal with our "problems??" According to what this group of psychiatrists say - then we should have all been healed by now....right????
Like I said - I don't advocate popping a pill for all cases - but to trash those with mental illness with this "it's all psychological" slap in the face disgusts me.
My opinion.
Jerry
poster:jerrypharmstudent
thread:761153
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070604/msgs/762128.html