Pharmaceutical Companies
I very rarely, if ever, post anything on my BLOG that I read about at an online community. The unchecked dominion of pharmaceutical companies is one of my few soapbox issues. It is one of those issues where I am clouded by anger and disgust and probably a good deal of judgment (about the companies) and a lack of understanding (of the people who use their products). In reading Lucyna's thread at YAAPS wherein she posted the link to MotherJones. I actually agree with her and have that issue of MJ. In so agreeing, however, I do not think ill or look down upon anyone who uses psychological drugs (or any type of medical drug for that matter) but I DO believe that there are "made to order" psychological conditions arising from the pharmaceutical giant's desire to make money. When the patent on Prozac ran out, they created a new disorder and essentially created the same "drug" with a new patent for this new disorder. There is not enough research into just what these psychological drugs DO do to our minds before these drugs are released to the public mostly because the pharmaceutical industry has the most massive and influential lobbyists on capital hill. Pharmaceutical advertising drives me insane -- have you ever listened to those commericals? The list of "symptoms" is long and beautifully presented while the horrendous side-effects are whispered and glossed over. I'm not just talking about psychological drugs here, either. I remember seeing one commercial for some sort of stomach ailment whose list of side-effects was worse than the original condition.
I also agree with Lucyna that *I* feel one most be able to feel the feelings in order to fully heal from whatever could be causing long term depression. I do believe that that is not possible with the long-term use of psychological drugs; however, I also believe that many, many people need to have and use these drugs to get them into a position wherein they can willingly examine these issues and try to heal themselves through the vast majority of therapies out there -- everything from yoga, to traditional counseling, to art therapy -- whatever works for them. I think there are many people out there than cannot simply pick up and heal without aid of some sort. So, I guess my issue would be with people who feel this is the lifetime answer -- to be on drugs forever instead of looking to figure out what is at the core of their issues.
I have good friends taking psychological drugs and I think their path is an amazing journey that I respect more than anything. None of them have any issues with my perspective on the pharmaceutical industry nor hesitate to engage me in a conversation about it even when our opinions of just how vast and deep the industry's root goes in this country. In fact, we talk about it frequently. Perhaps the difference is that none of them feel that drugs are the ANSWER to healing but, rather, a tool to get them onto the path they need to fully heal within themselves.
In these debates the question has been brought up about my thyroid -- I take pharmaceutical drugs for that but I DO NOT believe that is the answer and I try whatever I can find to get off them which includes diet, yoga, natural therapies including hundreds of dollars on acupuncture that my insurance wouldn't pay for. Before I was pregnant with The Daughter I was actually making some headway and getting my dependency on Levoxyl lowered and then The Daughter's pregnancy sent me body into a tailspin and until I'm done nursing I can't do anything about it (IMO). So I guess my answer is really that any type of outside aid to the body is really a stepping stone to healing your whole body through whatever means makes sense for you. I think the answer is within for all of us if we only choose to find it whether it is depression, hypothyroidism, birth, whatever.... For the record, I do believe there comes a time with the body is so damaged, the liver, or the heart or whatever, where intervention for a lifetime is absolutely necessary and I'm not talking about those severe cases. Does this even make sense?
Comments
I completely agree with everything you've said. It often astonishes me that people who are commendably highly committed to and informed about things like breastfeeding, natural healthcare, not vaccinating, raising their children positively, and so forth, sometimes seem so ready to accept that psychoparmaceuticals are "medications." There is really little or no science behind that supposition. Loads of evidence shows that they are frequently extremely dangerous, not to mention the fact that they are marketed in unethical ways by companies who are not in the business of healing, but out for profit, and ruthlessly so.
I have experienced extreme despair, depression, anxiety, and the inability to function, and I fully understand why anyone would seek an effective "treatment" for that in the form of pills. I don't blame the sufferers of depression for the fact that we are all, imho, being sold a bill of goods in the medicalization of psychiatric "disorders."
If some feel that they truly are helped by the drugs, I'm glad they're getting some relief. At the same time, I seriously question the longterm benefits of being chemically "supported," and am concerned about what is happening to the brain in the process. I know more than a few people who've developed complete dependancy and frightening "rebound" effects when trying to go off the "meds" that are far worse and probably more long-lasting than their original reason for seeking help. I fear that the drugs are creating more illness, and therefor more "need" for more drugs. Yes, they may have "helped" some, but I always have to wonder why people would take such chances with their BRAINS. People are routinely told to "try a lot of different meds until one finally works," and to "tinker with dosages." What a science experiment, with their grey matter as the petri dish. Too scarey for me.
Posted by: Diane | October 13, 2002 5:17 PM
Tired, with an untreated headache, but wanted to say I agree with everything you've both said here. Ritalin, Paxil, etc. are being prescribed in almost epidemic proportions. Yes, there is a need for them in certain cases, but they are being handed out like candy in cases where diet, exercise and lifestyle issues might better address the symptoms. Here's the thing: Can we, on one hand, stand up and say that vaccinations are wrong for our children and on the other, accept mass produced medications for fairly normal human responses to stressors? Aren't we supressing our body's natural resources in combatting depression, etc.?
Posted by: Tanya | October 13, 2002 11:15 PM
Yes, what you've written does make sense. And I agree. It's nice to know where I'm coming from is understood. Thanks for that! :)
Like you, I know people on psychological drugs. My brother has been on some heavy duty stuff for years now. He had a nervous breakdown after our Dad died 9 years ago, yet noone would help him unless he took the drugs. How screwed is that? He really didn't want to go on them, but given no choice. The psychiatrist he sees seems to see him once a week or so and that's only to monitor his drugs. There seems to be no psychological help being given, probably because the drugs are keeping my brother in a non-comatose state.
My aunt was committed probably 20 years ago now, she's since died. When she came out her personality was gone, what was left was something else walking around in her body. It was really creepy.
I have a cousin that's been on and off drugs, in and out of psych wards for as long as I've known her. I doubt she'll ever recover, but I hope I'm wrong. She's also really creepy.
I only know one person who has ever been on psych drugs that has recovered, it's another cousin, daughter of the aunt that got committed. My cousin has since done a lot of work spiritually and emotionally to heal. It's been amazing to see.
Actually, no, make that two. A friend that I managed to talk into staying alive and then went on to getting help.
So I'm not exactly against drugs, but I am for drug wariness and exploration of different options.
Posted by: Lucyna | October 13, 2002 11:52 PM