Someone told to me the other day that she believes I am anti-medication. And I can see how that might seem to be the case. But in fact I am not at all. I am opposed to casual prescription of psychotropic drugs for problems that can be better dealt with other ways. And I am deeply concerned about the overwhelming influence of pharmaceutical companies on mental health policy, research, and even the DSM.
I am also very much interested in the meaning of the widespread use of medications for problems which not that many years ago were seen as ordinary issues -- like shyness. It is this creation of a market by developing a diagnostic category that seems off to me, among other things. Why is it people are so willing to take on a psychiatric diagnosis, which they will never lose, in order to maybe get symptom relief? What does that mean? What does it mean that so many people would rather think of themselves as "ill" than work at changing behaviors and patterns in their lives? What is it about Americans that we are so enamored of quick fixes, even when they don't work all that well?
And I am concerned about the emerging evidence of negative consequences of taking these drugs over long periods of time. People who insist on organic food yet happily take drugs which can have serious adverse effects on their health -- this puzzles me.
*And* for people struggling with major depression or psychosis, medication is a godsend. I know that and would not think of opposing it. I favor pairing a medication regime with psychotherapy to increase the likelihood of improved living. And I recommend trying therapy and other non-medical approaches first for those who are mildly or moderately depressed. But that doesn't make me *anti-medication* -- it makes me cautious.