tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post435677521350975248..comments2023-09-01T02:29:46.008-07:00Comments on Oh My Aches and Pains!: My 2 Cents On the Practice of Handing Out Happy PillsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063470589933197328noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-36190508402614239922011-09-13T01:02:07.002-07:002011-09-13T01:02:07.002-07:00I'm loving all the comments here. Thanks for ...I'm loving all the comments here. Thanks for sharing them.<br /><br />As a former social worker who practiced in medical settings, I think I got to dispel a lot of people's fears about talking to a "mental health professional." I was just a helpful person who had the time to listen when someone had a psychosocial problem and needed some help.<br /><br />As part of a team approach to health care, I was able to provide counseling and advice on-the-spot. There was no extra fee for my services. I was there to help the patient with their problems AND there to help the doctors understand their patients better.<br /><br />I think it's a shame their are two separate systems: health care and mental health care. I think an integrated approach would help get more people the services they need for mind, body and spirit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02063470589933197328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-81486742226013333022011-09-12T17:55:39.538-07:002011-09-12T17:55:39.538-07:00Part of the problem is that people (healthy people...Part of the problem is that people (healthy people...not your friend specifically) expect a solution when they spend time and money going to a doctor appointment. And since the problem has to be solved within 15 minutes, doctors are inclined to throw a pill at it. <br /><br />Because who really wants to hear, "get some exercise and eat good food, mostly plants and spend time with friends"? It takes a while for a lot of us to get to the place that we will actually listen and adhere to that advice.<br /><br />Our medical system is broke and writing a script is an easy "fix". Ugh.<br /><br />P.S. Don't get too pissed Selena, remember we're supposed to be living stress-free lives :)Kathyhttp://www.fibrochondriac.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-54051198469044449332011-08-31T10:39:39.828-07:002011-08-31T10:39:39.828-07:00While I agree that medical doctors may be too quic...While I agree that medical doctors may be too quick to prescribe antidepressant medication, I don't think relegating situational depression diagnostics (as doctors reference grieving) to psychiatrists is the solution either. <br /><br />If a man or woman is suffering from symptoms of depression, the worst thing you could do is present obstacles to their treatment.<br /><br />"Abitbackward" aptly points out that a stigma exists for seeing mental health professionals. Couple that with the added cost of specialists such as psychiatrists and inordinate counseling rates, a grieving person is more likely to go without treatment. That can lead to unresolved depression, which has far-reaching effects. <br /><br />Thank you for the thought provoking topic, Selena! :)FatHeadDoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15172218993408618224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-22069620018686938022011-08-17T22:17:26.831-07:002011-08-17T22:17:26.831-07:00Selena, I couldn't have said it myself! Too ...Selena, I couldn't have said it myself! Too many people taking the wrong drugs for the wrong things! Great post.<br /><br />moAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-64982046008159101792011-08-17T18:49:33.521-07:002011-08-17T18:49:33.521-07:00As a patient who has been given antidepressants wi...As a patient who has been given antidepressants without being sent to a mental health professional I agree. I am still battling withdraw from a strong antidepressant because my doctor took me off cold turkey!!!! GP's should not be giving out these meds that they know little or nothing about!Sharon Stevenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16761536277735041280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190707857355048493.post-14998580233253593082011-08-17T07:22:10.615-07:002011-08-17T07:22:10.615-07:00I totally agree with you about the practice of han...I totally agree with you about the practice of handing out "happy pills" to deal with life events and problems. Fortunately, I have a medical doctor who agrees with me and, should she believe I had a mental disorder, would send me to the proper mental health professional. Unfortunately, these drugs are simply too easy to prescribe and it seems that in some circles, they are a status symbol. It's very unfortunate that medicine has gone the way of so much else in our society in that the "easy way" is the preferred route. Until that changes, I'm afraid we'll continue to see doctors hand out these pills like candy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com