Quote:
Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek
My concern is I don't think the patients who are being prescribed the drugs are actually depressed. I think a lot of it is to make large profits. I mean c'mon think about it.
Some of the things you were posting about took place in the 70s and 80s, but what I think modern psychiatry has done is to confuse the two. Depression and depression. I know that sounds crazy but I couldn't think of a better way to word it. It's kind of like a creation of depression, so pharmaceutical and other health care companies are more into making profits from health rather than contributing to it. Did I lose you here?  Basically they're telling patients they're depressed and they're not.  
Seriously, there's probably about one in four people who appear to be depressed and is treated as such, but in reality the patient is pretty much dealing with the aftermath of a recent blow, like the end of a marriage, or the loss of a job or something related to those things. |
Well, I am not going to "argue" (in a good productive way) whether some people are hypochondriacs that feel that popping pills will make them feel better...
However, many of these drugs used to treat depression (Major Clinical, and/or biopolar I or II, with psychotic episodes) according to the exact definitions of the DSM, MD Consult and Online consult schedules with full case conference review, are legit for the treatment of this illness... That is why psychiatrists are scheduled to prescribe these medications, rather than a GP or Family Doctor...
I know a Family Doc, Internal Med doc or a GP is not going to want the DEA asking questions as to why they prescribed one too many antidepressants without a mental eval referral...
But, that does not go to say that a FEW shrinks are not prescribing random chit...
However, underlying crap that people have in general may get uncovered through traumatic incidences. You never know what the "triggers" are in adults. It is my understanding that "triggers" are well studied in abused (physically, verbally and sexually) children... But, by the time an adult has some issues that never happened as a child, the ability for "brain plasticity" is amenable? I dunno? But that's how it was explained to me... Like negotiation skills are better as one ages...
Also, you need to start practicing appropriate medical terminology here... It is easier to practice with us than with your attending... Don't get busted like my husband did in vet school when he did not go thru the entire list of differentials - he just said the 3-4 top things and what would help the sick animal... 
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