Posted by Uppendown on May 5, 2002, at 16:10:55
In reply to Re: Are Meds over prescribed ? » Uppendown, posted by Ritch on May 4, 2002, at 11:25:44
Hi Ritch,
Thanks for replying... and bringing up those points.
I've scanned through the Anti-med stuff, but I've not nearly spent as much time exploring that side of all this, as I have participated on a number of "mental health" message boards, and researched clinical studies for a couple of years now. I'm trying to keep my mind open to as many perspectives as I can.. As I'm sure you know, things in life are rarely either black or white. ;O)
The money side of meds ? Don't get me started on that !! But that industry is much the same as the auto industy, banking, insurance, oil, etc... they do what ever they can to maximize profits... That is the name of the game..
But my real interest, and reason for posting the question in the first place is that in participating and lurking on so many forums, for a pretty long time now.. I've seen quite a few things that they all share. Some are a form of "group dynamic", which has come to interest me.. But there do seem to be a lot of folks who have "life" issues involved. By that, I mean things like relationship, job, economic, school, low self esteem, etc... Things that surely cause upset in their lives, but hardly warrant being put on meds... things that a good councelor or therapist would probably be very good in helping that person develop better perspectives of themselves, and how they interact with their world. I can't tell you how many posts I've read and responded to that fit this description. I believe the is a "similar" thread on this page, " Now I'm Bipolar!". Of course I'm neither a doc, nor know the details of that situation, but it APPEARS to be an example of my very question " Are meds being over-prescribed?" In this case, because of what appears to be a "bad" med reaction, the doc is now mis-diagnosing that individual as bipolar... And if that person wasn't wise enough to question that diagnosis, but instead went along with "Dr. God" ( so many people don't "dare" question their docs..), and as a bipolar, started a med regime that means being medicated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. for the rest of their lives! For the sake of discussion, how many *others* are out there who *were* misdiagnosed, and are now on meds believing their "emotional" stuff is a "proof" symptom that the doc was right... don't question their Dx.. and are miserable still because no pill is ever going to "fix" bad relationship skills ! ( For example) But now, on top of their original "problem" of poor self esteem, codependancy, etc.. they now have gained 60 or 100 lbs, can't think clearly, etc, etc, etc... In their now "drugged" state, ( and we've taken enough to know how mind altering and powerful alot of them are..) how many do you think will step back and question their DX at THAT point ??? How many instead will interpret their difficulties as "evidence" that the dx was in fact correct ?? To what extent do forums such as this one essentially "support" being "sick" ?? How many posts have you read of people wishing they were " my old self again" ?? How many of those may in fact be misdiagnosed??
As I said, my concern is sincere... I've personally gone through all the above, and am still looking for answers... I'm only trying to get all of us to think about possibilities... explore ..Best Wishes,
Uppendown
poster:Uppendown
thread:104929
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105189.html