Posted by Larry Hoover on August 12, 2003, at 8:44:04
In reply to Excellent write up Larry, posted by BobS. on August 11, 2003, at 12:51:36
> Larry,
> We agree, and furthermore I admire your energy and contribution to this forum. Your write up is excellent.Thank you. I try to give a balanced, unbiased, factual presentation. I am actually critical of both the anti-drug movement and the pharmaceutical industry, both because they are so selective of the data they present. It amounts to propaganda, on both sides.
> I wish I had that much energy.
Supplements, dude. <wink>
> Paxil was nothing but trouble for me and it took two years for me to discontinue it. I believe that the SSRIs have been hyped by big pharma to our detriment. To push SSRIs on children is unconscionable.
Absolutely, except when acute treatment is medically necessary (i.e. as a last resort, or in an emergency).
>Clinical trials have flaws, as you describe, but that’s all we have. And for most indications, oncology, infectious diseases, etc. they are generally well designed.
There is so much evidence for them to work with, concrete measures of the status of the disease.
>Never-the-less, I see a conspiracy with the indications for SSRIs when used beyond depression. Anxiety is a good example.
Yes. But, many of those decisions are not even made by scientists, or doctors. They're made by MBAs. Greedy glorified accountants. That's where the biggest problem arises. Profit over all other considerations.
> SSRIs are so mind numbing naturally you will feel “calmer” and you can devise a study to prove that anxiety is reduced. Of course, everything about you is reduced on an SSRI. I think that’s what I wanted to say about the NYT article.
> Regards,
> BobS.Well taken.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:248910
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030812/msgs/250209.html