Posted by Trans-Human on January 8, 2009, at 19:01:19
The Wider Truth in juxtaposition to the Scientific Reductionist Paradigm -
Psychiatric Drugs are perpetuated primarily because of the Orthodox Bio-Chemical paradigm & scientific reductionist perspective; which pathologises any experience of "altered states" & relegates all mental illness in terms relative to adherence to physical reality, or that anything which differs from the consensus reality is illness - which must be treated with a physical treatment. I could explore/explain this further; & as to why this is the case; as it has a long history which goes goes back many hundreds of years. It would take a great many posts to get to the heart of it - but that is the reason why in a nutshell.
"Joseph Campbell observed that the schizophrenic is drowning in the same waters in which the mystic swims with delight. Edgar Cayce made the same observation.
The philosophy generally needed in more holistic approaches to mental illness is consistent with a long tradition of thought called the "perennial philosophy." As with all versions of the perennial philosophy, it is a perspective which is more expansive and comprehensive.
The terms "dementia praecox" and "schizophrenia" are of relatively recent origin when one takes the larger view. Throughout the ages, peoples of all cultures have recognized insanity. It is the interpretation of the various forms of psychosis which sets the modern viewpoint apart as distinctive.
To appreciate this distinctiveness, we must take into consideration the world view (and even the cosmic view or cosmology) of other cultures, both ancient and modern. At the crux of this distinction lies our beliefs about the origin of our species, the nature of reality, and the meaning of life. In other words, what constitutes reality?
Modern medical science (including psychiatry) is derived from and based upon a materialistic view of reality. That which is real is physical, or at least can be measured in a physical manner. From a materialistic viewpoint, reality is substantial.
This is no small point when we are determining someone's sanity. In fact, the clinical assessment procedures used to determine sanity are heavily weighted toward a materialistic interpretation of reality. As has been noted, to be "out of touch" with material reality is by psychiatric definition, to be psychotic.
Readings on schizophrenia acknowledge that persons experiencing psychotic symptoms are out of touch with material reality and find it difficult to maintain the activities of daily living. Therefore, schizophrenia can be considered to be an illness. Yet, some also note that such individuals are closer to the "universal" or divine consciousness than most sane individuals.
To explain the mystical aspects of schizophrenia, Some people often rely on terminology from the perennial philosophy of other cultures and times (such as Hinduism, yoga, etc.). Thus, readings on schizophrenia sometimes make references to kundalini, karma, possession and so forth.
The various therapies recommended by some "alternatives" for this illness were not only directed toward nervous system regeneration and coordination, but also tended to help the afflicted persons to be more focused in material reality. Much emphasis was placed on simple, physical activities to assist these individuals to be more incarnate in their bodies and to attend to the physical world."
For the alternatives you need to be familiar with the lifetime works of Carl Jung (Who concluded that even those suffering with the most severe of mental illness can be cured & completely healed through purely psychological means). Also the pioneering work of John Weir Perry & the Diabasis project. His work is worth exploring in the book "The Far side of Madness". There is also the work of Loren Mosher & the Soteria project. There are other pioneering professionals who have made great advancements in the field of genuine recovery & cure of the mentally ill. Carl Jung, John Weir Perry & Loren Mosher; all had an over 85% full recovery rate for people classed as "severely mentally ill" That's 85% of people who went on to achieve a totally med free & complete recovery without relapse.
Also worth checking out is the book Dante's Cure by Daniel Doorman - http://www.dantescure.com/
A story which charts the curing & complete recovery of a catatonic schizophrenic through entirely med free & psychological means.
. . . here your will is upright, free, and whole,
and you would be in error not to heed
whatever your own impulse prompts you to:
lord of yourself I crown and mitre you.
Dante, The PurgatorioCatherine, nineteen years old and suffering from severe schizophrenia, sat in a mental hospitalmute, catatonic, and hearing voices. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Daniel Dorman, was convinced that his patients psychotic behavior was rooted not merely in chemical imbalances but rather in the dramatic circumstances of her family history. He was therefore determined to avoid the mind-numbing medications that had been so detrimental to Catherines well being. Dorman fought adamant opposition and criticism from his peers and superiors for a chance to guide Catherine out of madness.
As much the story of a young doctor finding his own path in a controversial new world of antipsychotic drugs, where patients advocates have nowhere to turn, Dantes Cure is the true account of a therapeutic process that took place six days a week, for seven years. Thanks to Dormans devotion, persistence, and self-understanding of his role as a therapist aware of his own limitations, Catherine was able to set out on a life of her own. She is now a psychiatric nurse in southern California living free of medication; she speaks out on behalf of patient rights and humanity in the medical profession. Dorman re-creates Catherines early life and the onset of her illness in striking detail, covering her treatment prior to his meeting her as a resident at UCLA Hospital, through her recovery and work as a nurse and activist.
Dantes Cure offers a story of courage and hope. It reveals how madness is inherent to the human condition and therefore ought to be treated as such. To restore patients trust in their power to recover, rather than robbing them of their agency in the name of medical knowledge, is the true moral of this remarkable journey out of madness.
These are black & white facts. Facts which are flatly ignored & denied by the majority of the medical profession & by most people. I don't expect you to accept any of this either - most don't.
Sources -
http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/2006/05/dr-john-weir-perry-diabasis.html
http://spiritualrecoveries.blogspot.com/2006/05/dr-john-weir-perry-far-side-of-madness.html
poster:Trans-Human
thread:872830
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20081006/msgs/872830.html