What do you think of modern psychology? Are the doctors right in general....?

Question

Like does a depressed or manic state require medication....for life?
Or do you think they're over-the-top money making scammers....

They're like the all knowing priests of yesterday. Everybody tends to take their word as true.....

Answer 1

Well, I think some medication works for some people........I also think that Docs are to quick to put people on meds for a mental issue..........I think some people feel better on meds, but then again alot of it can be the hype of knowing they are taking something and so they feel better......

I think someone should actually go through some sort of psych test before giving meds.....There are those who have had worse experiences being on meds and some who have committed suicide on medications......

I bet if we did an anonymous poll----and people weren't afraid to tell others, you would find ALOT more people are on meds then are not........

I think meds are great if they work and people feel better.......but I do not think every Doc. knows what is best for everyone.......

Answer 2

Yes Craig, some people who are chronically depressed and on medication may well need to take an antidepressant for the rest of their life. But considering the alternative, it is not a bad thing but a wonderful thing that their depression can be controlled and in many cases give them the peace they so deserve. I have a daughter who was diagnosed with being Bi-polar a few years ago and after ups and downs with the doctors attempting to get her medications regulated, she now is just so ' normal'. No one one would ever guess she has an illness if they didn't know. She says this has been her best year since she was a little girl. So I thank God for the doctors who have gotten her to where she is now and to the scientists who invented the medications. A year ago she had to be
taken care of as she couldn't concentrate and had no desire to do anything. Today she is the lady I so remember from years ago. So not all doctors are quacks, some really do care.

Answer 3

There is more than one kind of depression.

Reactive depression, brought on by conditions in a person's life cannot be treated chemically. A person can get a feeling of euphoria, sleep better etc while taking antidepressants however the underlying cause of the depression should be addressed and changed if possible. A false sense of well being is not going to help and is going to create a dependency rather than coping strategies that are needed.

Bi-polar, which used to be called "manic depressant" is a chemical imbalance which causes a person to swing dramatically between manic episodes which create a feeling of omnipotence to being so severely depressed there is a very real risk of suicide and/or alcohol and drug abuse. This has to be treated with drugs.

A person can have a chemical imbalance that causes depression, without the mania - this should be treated with mild antidepressants, counseling etc. However these people should be tested for thyroid function and hormone levels etc before prescribed an antidpressant.

There are also various "in-between" kinds of depression. Inlcuding SAD seasonal Adjustment Disorder which can be treated with vitamin D and light therapy rather than medication. Though some people may require medication to get through the "dark" times, which is temporary.

IMO depression should be diagnosed when a person is not able to function effectively. IF the depression is affecting the person's work, their family life, causing thoughts of suicide etc then it should be addressed.

Many depressed people can be treated with just counseling alone.

People with PTSD often have depression. Counseling is essential with PTSD. If untreated PTSD can lead to other disorders, agaraphobia (sp?) anxiety disorders, OCD, etc
PTSD can be very hard to treat but with counseling a person CAN learn to manage their lives and learn coping skills. Mild antidepressants or anti anxiety medication is often used.

Many people are "depressed" because of illness, loneliness, isolation etc. Even their diet can create depression.

IMO this kind of depression can be treated through life counselling, and changes in their life style.

Often family members should be brought into the counseling sessions as well to learn the role they can play in alleviating this type of depression. It could something as simple as a daily phone call to an elderly parent or enrolling them in a "senior day care" program where they can socialize with others. IMO medication is NOT needed and should be avoided because of potential side effects.

However far too many doctors are far too quick to write a script for antidepressants.

Our society, thanks in a large part to the commercials pushing drugs on TV, believes we should be happy all the time.

Life is about ups and downs, happiness and sorrow, loss and rebirth, and this generation doesnt seem to grasp that concept.

I always tell people "without the shadows we sometimes walk through we would not be able to appreciate the sunshine -"

However we have become a "pop a pill" society. If you are sad take a pill, if you are overweight take a pill, not able to perform like a 20 year old porn star, take a pill. Cant sleep. take a pill. Cant poop, take a pill. I think we have a "pill" for everything these days except for wrinkles - dammit.

A pill is the easy fix, what we lack in our society is doctors, therapists, people who have the time to LISTEN and get to the root of the problem. DONT treat the symptom, treat the cause is the way to go, but thats just my opinon.

Answer 4

Nothing "modern" about it. Unless experimentation with mind altering drugs is the IN thing these days! Apparently everyone wants a "quick fix" & long talks about a persons life are just no longer within the financial means of many people & it appears that many psychologists have as many or more "quirks" than their own patients do! Many people don't know that they can report their doctors if they feel they have been taken advantage of or are not getting the help they have paid to get. There seems to be a lot of mind bending for bucks going on in the mental health field these days. If getting rich is a "modern" part of the new world order, then these pill pushers are doing a great job of forcing people to sweep their problems under the rug, just so they can move onto their next patient, which they like to call "clients"!

With the high price of one-on-one therapy, these evil geniuses are taking far too much control over people with their mad scientist ideals & experiments just to get into the medical books or get a higher medical degree! Sadly, the same thing happened in the drug era of the 60's when habit forming drug users were given massive doses of thorizene, rendering them nothing more than drooling robots who blindly obeyed the orders of the psyche techs & nurses who wanted ALL of the patients to be complacent during their work shift. If a medicated patient was raped by a staff member & you spoke about it, you were immediately given a shot & when you woke up you were in a straight jacket & locked inside a room with padded walls, where students could walk by & look at you through the double paned reinforced glass window in the steel door.

Like I said...nothing modern is going on here. It's just a new twist on an old idea!..Mind Control...pure & simple. They have no use for you if you want to be cured...there's nothing in it for them! Are they right, in general?...I'd say NO. Unless they have spent some quality time & quantity time with their patients, then I don't think I'd believe what they suggest. I'd want to hear from many before I ever believed just one!

Answer 5

Not all doctors/psychologists are right.....many think that piece of paper makes them god.

Not all people who suffer from say mood disorders (depression, bipolar, etc) need meds for life........to think that is absurd. Yes, some of the more chronic conditions may prescribe long term meds.....but it usually depends on the case. Some people only experience depression for a short period of time.......sometimes it can be a one time deal, but its more common to repeat.

I'm a big believer in the cognitive behavioral treatment. It relies more on the changing/altering of detrimental and cyclical negative behaviors and thoughts that plague those with mood disorders. Medications in this school of thought are usually kept to a minimum or used as a catylyst for an individual to feel better and start their recovery.

okay.....I'll stop here.

Answer 6

I've always been very interested in psychology, never studied it, but fascinated by it. I'm know that medication is not the answer in all cases, but some people, I'm sure need meds. There's some who are troubled and only need to get it out and deal with it. It just depends on the person and if the problem is emotional or if it's a chemical imbalance or something else. Depends on the cause, I guess.
I know this didn't really answer your question, but ..... discussion.....

Answer 7

I would think that would be on the person and what is wrong.I have taken meds for depression and no longer need it, same with my mom. My daughter is bi polar and will probably need meds the rest of hr life. I have known people who have gone to Dr's and not taken meds at all. It's a individual thing. I do think as with anything you need to take responsibility as much as possible for yourself. There are so many ways to do research, second opinions, and questioning your own doctor..
If you feel your doctor is all knowing and will not listen then I feel it is time for a new doctor. Not all doctors are right for everyone.

Answer 8

I think there is a whole lot of overmedicating going on. It's easier to put someone on meds than to work closely with them. Many people do become quite functional with meds and perform better than without. I prefer to see more natural solutions and, wherever possible, finding solutions for solvable psychological issues, meaning often it's just something affecting the person that can, over time and with study, be helped.

Answer 9

Money making scammers. People need to learn that a lot of life sucks. We have to learn to deal with the crap and move on. I realize that there are times when antidepressants are necessary and helpful. But seriously it is overdone. And there are just too too many kids on mind altering drugs.

Answer 10

Sadly, I think it's a combination of both... There are always Dr.'s out there who's main purpose is to make a $. However, there are people who truly do have chemical imbalances and need treatment. I think you know if you are one of these people, and will do what is necessary for you to have some balance in your brains functioning. Being one, who has an imbalance, I can honestly say that for me it is necessary to take my medication. I do not however believe everything the so called professionals say... Like I said... U know if it is working for U!

Best of luck... and God Bless!