Posted by josh on September 19, 2000, at 14:24:03
In reply to Re: Treating Depression without Medication, posted by stjames on September 19, 2000, at 11:50:45
James--thanks for your feedback, although I wanted to clarify a few things:
When you say, "AD's correct mood to normal," what does that mean? What exactly IS normal? I could say my depression is a "normal" reaction to a very unfortunate situation, and if I can take steps to remedy that situation without antidepressants, I will have made much more lasting changes in my behavior and/or cognition. Many studies have shown that cognitive therapy is equally, if not more effective than AD's.
When I refer to AD's "making depression worse," I do not mean while a person is on them. It is when one goes off medication after prolonged use I am concerned about. Perhaps AD's, specifically SSRI's and the newer AD's, which have seemingly not been subjected to any extensive longitudinal testing, permanently alter one's brain chemistry for the worse, i.e. making the brain dependent on these sorts of drugs.
Also, you did not reveal your profession. Are you a psychiatrist, G.P. or some other medical professional? I just what want to know where your perspective is coming from. Again, thanks for the feedback, and I would like to continue any discourse on the matter...
Sincerely,
Josh
poster:josh
thread:522
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20000813/msgs/582.html