Posted by yxibow on September 25, 2005, at 1:08:35
In reply to Re: linkadge what would you suggest for depression?, posted by Declan on September 24, 2005, at 22:28:36
> Linkadge, tons of people here would believe you (I think).
> What's so weird about the fact that these drugs can damage your brain?
> It's common sense.
> DeclanI know this starts the drugs vs. psychotherapy debate, but one has to remember medications take around 7 to 10 years to market unless they're fast-tracked things like vaccines and HIV medication. Damage I do believe is a bit of a harsh statement, and I am not any way connected to any drug company, but yes, there is the bad and the good. That's why we have the FDA, and yes, there have been some black marks like the COX-2 inhibitors which previously were thought to be the panacea for arthritis and other pain disorders. Even older medications like Mellaril have been black boxed for their QT interval issues while Geodon has been re-evaluated extensively with nearly no danger in that realm.
It's what is called informed consent. You have to weigh over time the effects of depression (or any neurochemical disorder), which untreated can also alter your brain. Not to mention suicide.
If the will is strong and the depression is relatively on the milder end of the spectrum, psychotherapy is a perfectly good alternative to depression and other disorders. Its been shown clearly that medication and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) affect the outcome of OCD in the same way. And of course the combination of the two in some cases are even better.
Neurons are neurons and untreated neuropsychiatric disorders can also "destroy" the brain in the same way as medication can. Conversion disorders can occur. People can even have seizures with severe anxiety, conversion disorders, and OCD -- and that can lead to a loss of oxygen to the brain. Its a matter of choice -- as I've said before, its what we have in 2005. And that's alot better than 1955.
My aunt would still be alive today if modern medication controlled her bipolar illness and didn't result in suicide.
But that's the choice I choose, at least at the moment, because I have a fairly complicated and severe anxiety disorder which requires a combination of medication and psychodynamic therapy.
In the end, it is one's choice -- there is no perfect solution. It's not like the diptheria or smallpox vaccines which are carefully targeted at a precice point.
Some medications are shotguns and should only be used in dire cases -- some are tapered life savers and have fewer side effects. I guess I believe in better living through chemistry -- up to a point. Others are in their right to choose.
poster:yxibow
thread:558119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050921/msgs/559290.html