Posted by name on December 31, 2000, at 17:19:53
In reply to Re: reply » name, posted by Cam W. on December 31, 2000, at 15:48:44
The statement excerpted in the post does not, in its complete form available in the previous post, assert that either approach is more or less effective. The post discussed psychopharmacology as an element of transnational culture, not the relative efficacy of various approaches to mental disorders.
There are “diets … that do anything for mental disorders.” On an industrial scale, it might be difficult to construct repeatable, marketable treatment plans based on these simple observations, but since you asked, some obvious examples are available. Lethargy and dementia are both mental disorders and are also symptoms of starvation. (Just setting a baseline, here). Obviously, then, availability of food will treat mental disorders that are a direct result of starvation or hunger. To go another step in that direction, a diet of primarily sugar and starch will not provide the vitamins or proteins needed for orderly mental functions. One more step in that direction would be to ask if deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids might contribute to some mental disorders. Perhaps science, guided by the market ecomomy that directs research, has not yet reached conclusive answers about the role of various nutrients in miriad mental disorders. Omega-3’s might not be the panacea repesented elsewhere on this board, but representation of consumer options as a panacea is routine in capitalist civilizations.
In everyday civil relationships, we routinely overrate and underrate various cultural and behavioral options, and we routinely generalize in broad strokes but that does not mean we are not “civil.” Consider the recent series of Wall Street Journal ads … the brother who reads the Journal is represented as extremely successful, and the other brother is represented as a complete failure. It seems to be a flawed theory of mind to presume that every person, upon reading the terms “support, education and civil” will instantly realize that another set of standards is in place at a particular media outlet.
> megavitamin therapy should be seen as a pharmaceutical approach to the treatment of bipolar disorder, so it would not fit into your definition of diet.
The post did not define diet, nor claim to represent a comprehensive list of available approaches to mental disorders. Yes, vitamins are in important part of regulating mental functions.
> Could you please give examples of any of these approaches to treating mental illnesses that have worked as effectively as psychopharmaceuticals in alleviating many of the symptoms of mental disorders.Wish I could help, but I checked in here looking for such examples as well. A recent Scientific American article inventoried lingering symptoms of mental disorder that result from war, so we could probably say that a culture that does not routinely engage in war could alleviate many symptoms of mental disorder, on a population basis. Efforts to resolve political and social conflicts that lead to war would be an example of a cultural approach to alleviating mental disorders. It seems apparent that, for an individual suufering stress after trauma, the promise of an end to violent conflict, and the prospect of a stable social environment might alleviate some symptoms of stress disorder, but at this juncture I cannot direct you to peer reviewed studies that confirm that apparent axiom.
It might be easier to deal with individual symptoms, rather than “many of the symptoms,” and to discuss which approaches work “as effectively” in narrowly defined situations and to attempt to define which situations are better suited to various approaches. The British Medical Journal reported on Dec. 9 that Dr. Christopher Dowrick, of the University of Liverpool successfully improved scores of patients who were first assessed with the Breck depression inventory by offering problem solving treatments in which symptoms were linked with problems and structured approaches were offered for problem solving. Dowrick said the study indicated people have genuine choices in the range of approaches to the treatment of symptoms of depression.
I should clarify that, while I might have preferences, I am not advocating nor did I advocate in the context of posts to this board a particular approach
> > The promotion of pharmaceutical approaches to mental difficulty rather than promotion of dietary, personal and cultural approaches....
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> Could you please give examples of any of these approaches to treating mental illnesses that have worked as effectively as psychopharmaceuticals in alleviating many of the symptoms of mental disorders. Some adjuctive psychotherapies (esp. cognitive behavioral therapies and social skills training) have merit in treating mental disorders.
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> Perhaps there is some evidence of a low cholesterol diet being efficacious in slowing the course of Alzheimer's disease, but I see no legitimate proof of any diets (outside of a balanced diet for those with or without mental disorders) doing anything for mental disorders. There is a guy at the University of Calgary claiming that mega-vitamin therapy of bipolar disorder does work, but I'd like to see the large scale clinical trials before rendering a verdict on this. Again, megavitamin therapy should be seen as a pharmaceutical approach to the treatment of bipolar disorder, so it would not fit into your definition of diet.
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> As for changing society's views of mental illness. Please suggest a way of effectively doing this. The stigma of mental illness is the one major roadblock in the seeking of help for mental disorders and is a major component of relapse due to medication non-compliance. Public education programs and policies (like the one instituted in the UK) seem to have minimal effect in relation to the amount of money being spent on these types of programs.
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> Any validated suggestions that you may have would be greatly appreciated. It is not that we do not want to use pharmaceuticals to treat mental disorders; it is that there is no viable option. As for financial incentives; if you can come up with a way to effectively treat a serious mental condition (eg schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's, etc.) without the use of drugs, you could make a fortune. Business people would lap up such a program, if one were available.
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> Sincerely - Cam
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