I Watch Documentaries
An eye opener!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla<x>yer_detailpage&v=UDlH9sV0lHU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla<x>yer_detailpage&v=UDlH9sV0lHU
80-89, F
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jenvice
Fads and popularization of certain mental illness, as well as over diagnosis of all mental illness, has a sad affect on all of us. I have had terrible experiences with psychiatrists. However, I will say this I also know I have a mental illness. One I have fought against since I was a child. I had no psychiatric care until I was 35 years old. I did experience hallucinations and long periods of not being able to function that do fit the diagnosis check list that is Bipolar 1. I dealt with this basically on my own with counseling from spiritual and mental specialists but it never went away. It got worse. I have to keep an open mind now on how to allow myself to be treated. I don't think all mental illness is made up by psychiatry but I do certainly think pharmaceutical companies are immoral in general. And I think often psychiatrists can only play guessing games about what medication will work for who.
I am definitely against the combination drugs - like Latuda and Abilify which are both antipsychotics and antidepressants. These drugs are marketed to both people with psychosis and people who just have depression. Many psychotic people (especially bipolar patients) are made worse by antidepressants. I am sure no one thinks someone who is not psychotic should be placed on an antipsychotic. Routinely this happens anyway. It is dangerous. I definitely disagree with children being treated with medication for psychiatric illnesses. Children need to be allowed to be themselves and develop. Still things like Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder are regularly over diagnosed.
I would say people who do go to a psychiatrist need to remember to try every other avenue first and then if you decide to do this? Remember to be prepared to be your own best advocate.
I am definitely against the combination drugs - like Latuda and Abilify which are both antipsychotics and antidepressants. These drugs are marketed to both people with psychosis and people who just have depression. Many psychotic people (especially bipolar patients) are made worse by antidepressants. I am sure no one thinks someone who is not psychotic should be placed on an antipsychotic. Routinely this happens anyway. It is dangerous. I definitely disagree with children being treated with medication for psychiatric illnesses. Children need to be allowed to be themselves and develop. Still things like Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder are regularly over diagnosed.
I would say people who do go to a psychiatrist need to remember to try every other avenue first and then if you decide to do this? Remember to be prepared to be your own best advocate.
berangere · 80-89, F
Thank you for very comprehensive answer.In many ways you have knocked the nail on the head.Often psychiatrists will experiment with drugs on their patients to see what works best.I know of a young woman who was diagnosed as being psychotic then was re diagnosed a having severe depression,so I gather all the antipsychotic drugs she was given over time did not improve the situation.
jenvice
I am sorry to hear that Berangere. We need to remember we are empowered consumers even when we are in a doctor's office whether that be a physical doctor or a psychiatrist. Anyone who is receiving treatment and not getting better needs to demand change of medications (even if that means no medication) or change doctors and institutions. One of the best ways I have found to arm myself for the battle for my health is to stay informed on medications and treatment plans. Also one needs to be willing to stand up when there is a problem. Sometimes we can use those evil insurance companies to our advantage if our treatment does not seem to be going correctly. Insurance companies now often offer counseling for members by nurses, doctors and counselors to help one sort through acre options. In the past year I called a facility manager and complained about an Intensive Outpatient Treatment I was participating in and let them know if things were not brought up to standard that I would be calling my insurance company and pulling out. This was a great strategy and positive change occurred. I think really as long as one remembers there is no perfect doctor or treatment that can't be in need of tweaking people will see at least some better results. No one should continue a treatment whether it is talk therapy or medication if it is not working. People who get intensely ill they need a family member who can be deeply involved as well, for those times when they can not make a decision for themselves.
unAmigo
The Documenatary is called "Making a Killing"
They say the top 10 psychiatric drugs make 26.5 billion per year in gross earnings.
I could not believe this figure so I looked up the info and found this
Sorry the 25.6 billion is gross earnings for top 10 psyichiatric drugs.
The Wall Street Journal Article says: Psychiatric medications are among the most widely prescribed and biggest-selling class of drugs in the U.S. In 2010, Americans spent $16.1 billion on antipsychotics to treat depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, $11.6 billion on antidepressants and $7.2 billion on treatment for ADHD, according to IMS Health, which tracks prescription-drug sales.
Whether psychiatric drugs are used appropriately or not has been a longstanding concern among medical professionals and policy makers in the U.S. Evidence continues to grow about possible serious side effects, particularly among children and the elderly. For instance, in 2004 the Food and Drug Administration required a "black box" warning—its most serious—about the possible increase in suicidal thoughts in children and teens taking antide
They say the top 10 psychiatric drugs make 26.5 billion per year in gross earnings.
I could not believe this figure so I looked up the info and found this
Sorry the 25.6 billion is gross earnings for top 10 psyichiatric drugs.
The Wall Street Journal Article says: Psychiatric medications are among the most widely prescribed and biggest-selling class of drugs in the U.S. In 2010, Americans spent $16.1 billion on antipsychotics to treat depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, $11.6 billion on antidepressants and $7.2 billion on treatment for ADHD, according to IMS Health, which tracks prescription-drug sales.
Whether psychiatric drugs are used appropriately or not has been a longstanding concern among medical professionals and policy makers in the U.S. Evidence continues to grow about possible serious side effects, particularly among children and the elderly. For instance, in 2004 the Food and Drug Administration required a "black box" warning—its most serious—about the possible increase in suicidal thoughts in children and teens taking antide
berangere · 80-89, F
Thank you for reading and commenting on that very disturbing documentary.
unAmigo
Thank you for posting. I read Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker so most of the info is not news to me.
berangere · 80-89, F
Will have to look up that book.
nelladell
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.