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In Reply to: "scientology the reason"-No. Ur reason, R U a Med Professional? posted by Daniel on February 17, 2006 at 13:35:30:
I do not support the indiscriminate use of psychotropic medications. I'm a clinical social worker with a PhD who does mental health research for a living. Social workers typically support the individual's right to refuse psychotropic medication, because ultimately a person must live with the consequences of his or her choices.
One of the best books on the anti-psychiatry debate you've raised is "Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill," by Robert Whitaker, MD. Another similarly knowledgeable book written from the anti-psychiatry perspective is "Toxic Psychiatry : Why Therapy, Empathy and Love Must Replace the Drugs, Electroshock, and Biochemical Theories of the New Psychiatry," by Peter R. Breggin, MD.
I've read both books, and yet I still take an SSRI. That means I'm an informed consumer who fully understands the risks and limitations of pharmaco-therapy. By taking prescription medication I have no choice about discussing my symptoms and functioning issues with my doctor on a regular basis. I must also discuss problems with side-effects and be prepared to discontinue my use of medication when necessary.
Here are some other choices I could make: I can self-medicate using alcohol and/or marijuana and tell myself that it's just recreational use. As long as I use alcohol or marijuana, I can deny the fact that I'm self-medicating my symptoms and that I have a substance abuse problem and a serious mental illness. What's more, I'm not accountable to anyone like a doctor or therapist about the side-effects and consequences of my substance abuse.
Here are some consequences I could live with: A much lower level of social functioning, so that I don't worry about failing to meet obligations on days when I'm too overwhelmed by my brain disease to get out of bed and go to work. A lower standard of living, so that I can handle life on disability income. Loss of my partner when he can no longer tolerate living with someone who cries all the time and makes small talk over dinner about planning a funeral.
Here are some things I do with or without medication: AA meetings, talk therapy, pray and ask for divine healing or the grace to bear my infirmities, massage therapy, work out vigorously 5-6 times per week, watch what I eat. I'm much more likely to do these things while using medication, because I'm sober and can actually get my sorry ass out of bed.
It's always about informed choice. You're entitled to refuse to take an SSRI if it is recommended, and I'm entitled to take one if it is prescribed. Both of us have to live with the consequences of our choices.
