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Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan
You would advocate that we withhold that treatment until we know more? Fine. I wouldn't.
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No I'm not saying that. I just think think that people are a little too trusting in our knowledge of mental illness. I think that people think there is certainty, that there are "cures". All I mean to do is cast a bit of doubt on this. If you go in to talk to a psychiatrist thinking that they would never prescribe a drug that might cause you harm in some way, I think thats naive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan
I think the best thing is to treat the illnesses we know using the treatments that work, and hope that in the future we will understand these illnesses better and develop even better treatments. In the meantime, you use the tools that you have to address the pressing problems of today.
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I agree. But as I said, I think its important patients realize that they are basically part of an ongoing experiment in drug cocktails. Even some established drugs I'd consider as "experimental treatments". They should be told the "side-effects" of the drugs are on, and Doctors should be responsible for informing their patients when new studies come out highlighting new "side-effects" of any drug they are on (I've heard of times when this hasn't happened.) And no doubt there are some better psychiatrists than others, and in choosing one, someone may be experimenting with their treatment. You can and probably should in some cases get a second or third opinion.
My own experience with my half-brother has shown how radically different some diagnoses can be. Especially when my brother admittedly tries to manipulate the psychiatrists and say what they want to hear. His diagnosis has shifted from bi-polar, to personality disorder and alcoholic.
I think people should consider counselling or talk therapy for more milder mental illnesses and not be so quick to demand a quick-fix like a pill. I am especially questioning the use of medication to treat mild depression.
Anxiety disorders I don't know as much about. I am not advocating that all prescription drugs are bad. I am simply highlighting some issues, concerns, doubts about some of them and encouraging people to research stuff for themselves. Mental illness just isn't as cut and dried as people believe. The definitions, classifications and treatments are always in flux. New information is coming out all the time about potential dangers of certain drugs, new drugs are even coming out all the time.
I am not saying don't seek treatment. I'm not saying rule out all drugs. I'm just saying don't be a naive believer that psychiatrists have miracle cures for everything in the form of a pill.