Poll: Do You Believe Meds Help?
Monday June 22, 2009
CRAZEDSARA's opinion: "I think they help when the problem is chemical, which it is (at least partly!) with me. But, I see a lot of people who are 'depressed' because something in their life isn't right, and they expect the meds to help them and make it all better and then are surprised when they don't! But, even when the prob is partly chemical, I think that medication should not be depended on totally... therapy is needed too! " What do you think?
Comments
I struggled for a long time because I knew logically that my problems were caused mainly by my behaviors thought processes. However I tried for a long time to work with a couple of different therapists to try to find and change these behaviors and had little to no success. I finally decided to try medication and it helped to take the edge off so the changes could be more manageable. I think that a combination of therapy and medication can be a very good solution. I finally feel like I am making progress in changing my life so I can be happy and enjoy both the ups and downs of daily emotions.
I completely agree. I think medications do help a lot, but I also think that they are used as a quick fix for deeper issues. This is partly because insurance companies don’t want to pay for long-term therapy. They want a quick “pill fix” because it’s cheaper. this view is seconded by the drug industry, which wants lots of sales. It’s scandalous.
Personally, I think the current system of “for-profit” medical care is an oxymoron – there’s way too much concern for the bottom line and none for the patient. The patient is treated like a product on an assembly line, and people just don’t work like that. We’re…messier….than that.
I think the proper use of medication is to help the patient get a grip on their life and issues, so that therapy can help them cope in the longer term. If someone is in the throes of emotional illness, therapy will be much harder to accomplish without a way to break the emotional gridlock in his/her head.
I always found it funny when I was asked if the news meds worked. My response was always the same. I do not think any pill can change your life.
I agree that medication is a quick fix. It diverts the attention away from the real problem. The sad part is everyone wants to point the finger at one person and say they are depressed because of their though patterns, but not acknowledge the implications other people around contributed. I had difficult family problems, deaths in the family, bullying and bad relationships. That partnered with my personality created a very depressed state. I have had too much else go on in life for it to simply be a “chemical imbalance” and thats the truth.
I so much agree with Jeff! pills cannot mask or “fix” the problems in our life….futhermore, if you suffer from various “medical” illess to which depression is a symptom, how do you deal with that….your chemistry is in control. Yes exercise and diet can help, along with meds, but you cannot change your body, and many times your life…..