Posted by lizzyg on April 22, 2002, at 7:50:15
In reply to Need help to refute the anti-biological camp, posted by Chris A on April 17, 2002, at 13:02:34
Dear Chris
This is a subject that I find of great interest. Can I briefly give you my case history?
I am a 39 year old woman and have had six episodes of major depression with associated anxiety over a period of 19 years.
I had a happy and uneventful childhood and am now in a professional job, with a stable marriage and three children. In terms of personality, I am cheerful and easy-going. For me, the depression can strike even at times when I am perfectly content. It has always been treated successfully with antidepressant and anxiolytic medication (the only problems I've experienced have been side effects). Between depressive attacks, I have no symptoms. A couple of times, different GPs (family doctors) have insisted that I see a psychotherapist. On both occasions, after two sessions the psychotherapists have concluded that I'm well balanced and that the depression is biological in nature. My father was also prone to depression, so it must have a genetic component.
I'm not saying this because I believe this sort of endogenous depression is better, or worse, or 'purer' than any other kind, but because many people - including some of the medical establishment here in the UK - seem to find it difficult to believe that this etiology exsits. It makes me doubt myself sometimes, and wonder whether there is a little bit of torment somewhere in my psyche... but I can't seem to find it.
So in my case, drug therapy works efficiently and reasonably quickly, whereas talking therapy doesn't have a role to play. I wonder how your 'friends' would explain that? I'm afraid this isn't a scientifically valid argument, but - along with BarbaraCat's piece - serves to illustrate that there are a great number of different causes and treatments for psychiatric illness, and no one great truth that covers all.
Best wishes
Lizzy
poster:lizzyg
thread:103336
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103796.html