I just went through a few Q & As in the mental health section. Seems like an awful lot of people are getting strong antidepressants for stress, of all things. Do you think it's right that doctors prescribe drugs for a condition that would be better dealt with by exercise and a little psychological therapy? Maybe even a good diet with a few well chosen supplements? Are doctors taking the easy way out? Do you think they may be in bed with the big pharmaceutical companies? Maybe doctors are just fed up with lazy patients and giving them what they ask for instead of what's good for them (like a kick in the butt).
2006-09-12 14:35:23 · 11 answers · asked by Mr. Peachy® 7 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Molly, I was already convinced long ago that doctors overprescribe. I just wanted to get people to think a little before asking their doc for drugs with all their side effects and addictiveness etc.
2006-09-12 14:42:54 · update #1
MDs tend to give into patient demands rather easily. They are so afraid to say no to someone; that they do not need the medications.
Pharmaceutical companies do not directly give out kickbacks if a doctor prescribes one of their drugs, for that is impossible to find out, but they do wine and dine them.
Also, MDs do not really study much nutrition. As long as a person eats a balanced diet, he/she should not have to take a supplement.
MDs are afraid to tell patients about their bad weight and lifestyle. Many primary care MDs get frustrated about that.
Some MDs get upset when pharmacists or anyone else complains about their prescribing patterns.
2006-09-12 16:06:28 · answer #1 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are not in bed with the pharmaceutical companies. You can't base your opinion on a patient sample that consists only of Yahoo Answers members.
What makes you think doctors overprescribe? I don't know of any "lab test" for depression that will help decide if you need an antidepressant.
As far as being "addicitive", do you even know what that means?
I think the number one killer in this country, cardiovascular disease, would be drastically reduced if everyone ate right and exercised. I would get no "kickback" for that, but it's the best medicine. In the meantime, some patients need prescriptions.
By the way, Yooka, the process you describe is covered in psychotherapy sessions. That's why many doctors prescribe antidepressants WITH therapy, which involves someone trained specifically to do that.
Therapy sessions typically last more than half an hour. I can't possibly get to the bottom of your work/school/home issues in a fifteen minute visit. That's not what your primary care doctor is there for.
(EDIT)
Yooka, you raise a good point. Look up pubmed on the internet and find articles to support your point, then edit your answer again with your findings.
2006-09-12 21:39:49 · answer #2 · answered by mollyneville 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is totally out of control. The patients can watch some TV and go tell the doctor what to give them! It's crazy. And of course the drug companies give major incentives.
If the medical industry was really interesting in seeing their patients improve, then don't you think they would suggest natural preventative remedies?
However, things found in nature cannot be patented, therefore no cash cows.
What is totally amazing is that drugs are coming on the market really quickly now and then right after that they are getting sued for some bad side effect like - DEATH!
The medical industry needs sick people. Have you ever wondered why drugs are normally prescribed to treat the symptom rather than trying to prevent the symptom in the first place?
The people demand it. That is a major part of the problem. They know that if doctor A won't prescribe them something, then they can go to doctor B. Doctor A gets with the program because he has a college loan to pay back!
It is a never-ending viscous cycle that needs to stop!
2006-09-12 21:45:19 · answer #3 · answered by extremelyradicalman 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Not the doctor I work for. And if you think they are you have not watched the news lately. More and more are reluctant to hand out the pills. Take for instance antibiotics, we are becoming immune to them because in the past that was the cure all , not anymore. As far as meds for depressioin or other pshyc meds, if a doctor writes you a script the first time you mention you may be drepressed then you need to see another doctor. I sure would want a doctor that would recommend lab tests or talking to psychotherapist before giving me drugs. And contrary to beliefs doctors do not get a kick back check from the drug companies.
2006-09-12 21:40:40 · answer #4 · answered by vivib 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. Although I have great respect for doctors, I think that the drugs companies are the ones pushing all these drugs. Just watch the commercials and you will see how we are bombarded with drugs of any kind. Go back 20 years ago and the only ads that were shown were about computers... remember the Commodore 64, Apples etc. But those days are gone and the days of doping the the consumers are here. Where is Ralph Nadder to speak up on this issue. Let's start a revolution to stop this unnecessary trend.
It is just my answer.
2006-09-12 21:44:05 · answer #5 · answered by Morgan 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I tend to agree with you. Meds get results - measurable and demonstrable results. It doesn't mean they solve the problem, or give the patient an improved quality of life. But it sure looks good on charts. It's alot harder get involved in the ins and outs of a patient's life, like you said. It requires a great deal of time, and more playing detective - and even then, because people vary so greatly, there's no guarantees.
I disagree with a doctor who, after trying everything he can think of to really get to the root of a problem, then tries to simply overmedicate, and prescribe away the problem - but at least I understand it's a matter of practicality. At least he made the effort.
But what we seem to be having more and more of (and I don't mean to imply it's only the new doctors, because it certainly is not) are doctors who never get involved, never even try to isolate the cause of the sickness. That, to me, is a sign of a failing system. Unfortunately, there are many other signs that modern American healthcare is in utter turmoil, but I don't wanna go too far off course here.
(EDIT) I'm sure there are plenty of adequete studies and articles to support my position and to base an informed opinion off of.
2006-09-12 21:51:32 · answer #6 · answered by Yooka 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a health care provider, my patients are upset if they don't walk out of the office with a "fix" to their problem (ie. a prescription.) They feel they paid their co-pay, and that I should be dishing out the drugs.
That's the other side of the coin. And I get absolutely NO KICKBACK from the drug company.
2006-09-12 21:40:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure some do, but then again there are some people who want a "quick fix".
My own doctor does not. He tries to work with a person to find the right solution for the problem. Sometimes it is meds. Sometimes it isn't. He prefers lifestyle changes. ; )
2006-09-12 21:39:20 · answer #8 · answered by tantiemeg 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The doctors I have seen (and I'm disabled, so I see a few!) are generally very reluctant to hand out prescriptions...and when they do, they have tended to be very sparing of them and test for results, then gradually increase dosages. This is for Lipitor and Metroprolol....nothing but aspirin for the Avascular Necrosis in left hip...which is fine by me...hate having my head messed up.
2006-09-12 21:47:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's all about MONEY. Nothing else. Between the Doctors, Pharm companies and HMO's - we got ourselves another "Axis of Evil".!!
2006-09-12 21:38:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋