Quote:
Originally Posted by vonmoxie
I'm not sure how questioning the efficacy of SSRI's or of any other anti-depressants makes one "anti-psychiatry". Anti-pharmacological perhaps, but still not unequivocally. Considering how many in the scientific community do so, one has to ask, why? There's no relative money to be had in opposing big pharma, just as there's little money to be made being an advocate of more regulations in the banking industry. If you want to get to the bottom of any situation that seems on the surface inexplicable ask yourself the simple question ‘who profits?’
— William S. Burroughs
Anti-depressants were never meant for long-term maintenance, which makes it tricky for dysthymics. There's an excellent research paper here that details many important considerations: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/...73161bab06.pdf
Personally, I wish I'd never taken even one, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and even the tricyclics, as their complications to my overall mental health have far outweighed any glimmers of slightly elevated mood I may have experienced on occasion.
Change of scenery, when it's available, can be a nice shot in the arm.. not a whole solution, but I don't think there's any one answer like that.. takes efforts on multiple fronts.
Best of luck to you.  |
Questioning antidepressant efficacy alone would not make one anti-psychiatry whoever when you look a little bit closer at what many groups such as Mad in America also believe in I am not sure how you could come to another other conclusion. For example, there is Robert Whitaker's book on an 'epidemic' and if you actually read it you will see he goes a lot, LOT further than questioning the effects of anti depressants.
As to why. Well profit isn't the only motive, there is also belief. But I would challenge the view there is no money in advocating a certain position. What about book sales? Or sales of tickets to conferences. And then there are those that sell supplements. Just to name a few off the top of my head. When you look at wars often there isn't that much spoils to be had and it costs more to run the war than what they can take off their enemies. Wars are usually out of belief, in this case hate. So I strongly challenge your assertion.
I always feel sorry for those that can't get relief from anti depressant medication but just because one person can't get help doesn't mean there isn't another three out there that do. These medications save people's lives and I will be forever grateful that I found some relief. I do see some alternative views around such as the medical community collectively schemed to drug entire nations. And that myself and many others have only been tricked by placebo. The pharma conspiracy theory and views that I am responding to placebo should be seen for what they are: totally ridiculous.
I do have one question. Where did you get the information that antidepressants were designed for any length of time? Short, medium or long. Who designed that? And when was it designed that way?
Oh and the oppositional tolerance theory and your link, yes I have read that before and yes there is something in it but it is far from settled science. But I appreciate your response regardless.