Medicating Human Needs
If you are depressed and anxious, you are not a machine with malfunctioning parts. You are a human being with unmet needs.The only real way out of our epidemic of despair is for all of us, together, to begin to meet those human needs – for deep connection, to the things that really matter in life
This is a quote from an edited extract from Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions by Johann Hari.
The extract/book would be worth reading for those with an interest in something that seems to be pervasive throughout our society.
Medication is the go-to solution for many people/doctors - but does medication cure human needs?
Discuss at will
Comments (87)
Medication is really needed in some cases where talk therapies will not help.
Some need only talk therapies.
For what i imagine is he vast majority of others its simply a case of introspection and taking a long hard look at how we perceive ourselves versus how others see us.
Probably a very simplistic answer but its all i have until i read more on it.
Good blog...
It is not always the doctor's fault though.
Some people choose to ignore the source, preferring instead to just dull the symptoms.
You are muddying the issue by bringing up secondary considerations such as needs of humans.
Thank you,
I feel the same way about medication for just about anything. Even my doctor knows that if I actually go to see him, that I have already tried other things already.
And I am lucky that he also listens to me, and knows that I do not want medication unless there is no other possible solution. So between us, I end up rarely taking any meds.
if he didn't listen to me, he would not be my GP still.
I suspect talk therapy is declining.
It's simpler, quicker (and more lucrative) to work out the proper dose/combination of pharmaceutical(s) until the patient presents desired behavior.
Pronounce a cure.
If it looks right - it is.
Further suspect we are arriving at a state of the art where ALL doctors are 'script doctors'.
It is an known fact in the industry, that pharmaceutical companies come up with new medication, and need a disease to go with it.
Thus, all human emotions and feelings would be labelled a disease if they had their way. Sadness; happiness; childhood; anger; whatever...all natural emotions would be labelled and medicated.
However, I have seen evidence that some doctors, even psychiatrists, are fighting the system from the inside.
I had a quick look at your link. It is too much to read now but I have to agree with Miclee. There is too much money at stake. Anything that will inhibit the sales of medication gets a lid on it.
The pharma industry cannot be blamed for everything. Yes, they are there solely to make profit.
But surely it is up to us to decide if we want to supply that profit.
Have a great day yourself
However, I personally feel that meditation helps enormously.
But it is much to blame.
Pharma ads (read propaganda) convince people they are afflicted & must see their doctor for their prescribed script cure.
This is a parody of a REAL ad for meditation to treat 'Social Anxiety Disorder' - formerly referred to as 'Being Shy'...
The parody nails it!
And it's a helluva lot more honest.
Also hilarious...
But from reading that article its like he wrote a book based on this video.
I don't think it brings anything new to the subject. Apart from his own personal perspective.
But that is just my opinion.
Taking medicine for me is a last resort when everything else has failed.
Like you Molly...I have a very good ...and also very nice...doctor who listens and knows I won't take anything if I can help it.
Yes, meditation is very powerful for those who are willing to do it.
However, I feel that one of the major problems overall is people's unwillingness to get to the root of the problem. Many prefer to bury their heads in medication rather than dig out the issues.
I am not saying that medication does not have its place, but it is regularly used when not needed; or long-term rather than finding the cause.
Believe me, I know that big pharma is very guilty. But it could not be the suppliers if there were no takers.
There is a fiction film called "Side effects." Dealing with a new drug being pushed by pharma.
Although the story is extreme the argument is very real, and the film is well worth a watch if you like
psychological thrillers.
I do believe it's a money making Industry,. But seems some people need it.
However, I feel that one of the major problems overall is people's unwillingness to get to the root of the problem. Many prefer to bury their heads in medication rather than dig out the issues.
I am not saying that medication does not have its place, but it is regularly used when not needed; or long-term rather than finding the cause.
I totally agree.. again..
Hey Molls
And the blog doesn't have to be all serious, all doom and gloom
Do you think they need it because they have never explored another way?
Most people I know on meds are like that, zombie-like.
They are alive and functioning, but not really.
Do you mean to say they were laughing at me, not with me?
Btw..I don't drink alcohol either!
I agree with you that many prefer a quick fix than looking for the root of the problem.
I wrote a blog about the 4 levels of perception...
The first...the left hand brain...or reptilian...when we have a headache we treat ourselves with aspirin...
At the second level...the mental.......with psychology...
The third....the neon cortex........meditation..etc..
The fourth...level of spirit......we try to prevent it altogether.
But I do know in some cases, medication is more for the people around the person than for themselves.
For example kids who are put on medication. It is generally for the parents and teachers that the kids are medicated, not really for the children.
ADHD is a relatively new 'illness'. There were always bored/restless/hyper kids in school before, but they weren't labelled and medicated. They used to be stimulated by doing different tasks/exercises, etc. But then that took a bit of extra work for the teachers..
And it has been proven that the medication has no long-term benefits, so therefore the only people gaining from medicating them is the people around them.
That's why the ads (propaganda) are hammered into folks, Molly!
To convince them to become 'takers'.
1) Create a demand.
2) Supply the demand.
If you're still in the dark ages of ads for otc cold remedies, you have no concept of the afflictions (and prescription cures) pitched to Murkuns.
Think snake oil pitchmen with electronic media access, Madison Avenue savvy, limitless budgets...and less integrity.
It is just one of those things I enjoy doing when I am relaxing with friends.
However, I do know people who try to drown their sorrows in alcohol. It does work short-term, but then they wake up with the sorrows, plus a massive hangover.
We do not come with a lifetime warranty pinned to our navel.
The hard road doesn't necessarily end in a solution, but it might. And people owe it to themselves to at least try.
Which is why I have said more than once already that meds have their place.
The point of the article is that meds should not be seen as the only alternative
MOLLY OPENED A VID!!
ATTA GIRL MOLLITA
I always KNEW you could do it
The 1st is the most difficult.
It'll become easier with each opened vid.
I b'lieve I've seen an ad for a med to treat 'Vid Avoidance Syndrome'.
If not, some marketing guy ain't earning his salt.
But I agree.
Such matters are best dealt with naturally & holistically.
I am sure there is also medication for those who insist in always posting links to videos instead of putting the relevant points down in words
Dont worry...ill be back.....with probably an even more simplistic answer.
Its how i roll...
How about getting a pet?
Which is why more enlightened nursing homes and hospitals allow pets in to the patients.
Simplicity Uber Alles!
KISS -
K eep
I t
S imple,
S tupid!