Posted by Adam on December 13, 2000, at 16:49:34
In reply to GET OFF THE GARBAGE, posted by Logical Mind on December 13, 2000, at 9:19:54
Hmm. Well, as they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
I think its certainly quite reasonable to advise those who might be better served by drug-free remedies to pursue them. And perhaps there is some indeterminate number of "Dr. Feelgood" types who prescribe drugs too liberally. I imagine their prevalence is overstated, though, and to accuse all psychiatrists of abusive behavior (even with the best of intentions) is far too categorical.
There is ample scientific and testimonial evidence that, contrary to your assertion that psychatric medicine pushes "garbage", it provides real benefit to many people with a variety of debilitating illnesses. I can with complete confidence say that neither I nor any of my family and friends who knew of my disorder want my "old self" back.
Quite the contrary, my successful treatment and relief from a disease that, despite growing support and real concern among friends and loved ones, led me to be hospitalized is regarded by those who knew of my struggle as "a godsend". I (perhaps paradoxically to one of prosaic or strident views on this subject) even feel my psychiatric treatment may have done me as much harm as good during various phases of my illness; I truly feel that speaks to the need for improvements in psychiatry, such as more accurate and informative diagnostics, rather than abandonment of an increasingly helpful branch of medicine. My improvement was as dramatic as my depression was severe, once the right remedy was found, and caused no less than the conversion of some highly skeptical individuals in my life to realistic confidence in psychiatry's benefits, where before there was suspicion.
I would take testimony such as this to heart, if I were you, if you truly wish to help people. The route to recovery for the mentally ill is best navigated with the aid of multiple strategies and resources. Faith, family, society, therapy, these all can be invaluable sources of help, but sometimes even they are not enough. I think, perhaps, an unfortunate side effect of your assertions is that those who are not adequately helped by the above develop a deep sense of shame and failure when they do not succeed. It isn't always a question of persistance and love. Many who are depressed have those in abundance. It really can boil down to chemicals sometimes, and for a physiological and biochemical problem, medical treatments aimed at ameliorating them are as appropriate as a cast for a broken leg.
I hope you find this helpful.
Adam
> PEOPLE! We need to get our friends and family OFF these garbage drugs that are being pushed on to us all by society!!!
>
> Psychologists LOVE to make us all think we are down and depressed - be we arent! We just need attention and communication - and by the way, isnt that what those "doctors" provide?
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> They are addictive doctors who thrive on us all thinking we are screwed up and we arent. They get massive kickbacks from pushing those drugs on you and they make fortunes in office visits. Break away from them any you'll thank me 10-fold. So will your family, friends and brain.
>
> I did it, my friends have done it.. YOU can do it! Slowly we'll show them we arent a country of screwups and we'll destroy the notion that thinking or acting differently ISNT WRONG! Its what makes the world go round! Instead of going to that 'doctor' as you do, quit it and begin going to church. Its free, its wonderful and you'll realize how theraputic it is in no time at all! First visit!!!
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> Stop allowing this world to make us one-sex, one-color, one-religion, one-though process... We need diverisity and we need to respect the differences amongst us!
>
> Once you leave the addiction of your 'doctor' you'll feel a freedom you've never felt before. You will have empowered yourself beyond belief and your memory problems will return, your old self will return and all of your friends and family will WELCOME YOU BACK. Dont believe the commercials and dont believe the ads.. Drug-free / 'doctor' free is the way to go! The best psychologist is the one inside of you. And he doesnt charge an arm and a leg!
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> Do it, and welcome yourself back!
>
> - A BELIEVER!
poster:Adam
thread:50485
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001130/msgs/50520.html