Going to far?

[brycejmcewen]

Read this article;

http://www.msnbc.com/news/935256.asp

Does anybody else think we give people drugs far to often? Why is a mood altering drug like weed illegal but Prozak isn't?

[Robbo_the_Hood]

I recomend reading Elizabeth Wurtzul's "Prozac Nation." I read it, not only because Zens told me to, but because she made me. And I figured out why she goes crazy every now and then.

Not only that, but it provides much more detailed accounts of a person's battle with depression.

[karmattack]

You know what's really scary about doctors and drugs is that they are allowed to buy stock in medicine. Think about it.
I once took my self and a sore throat to the doctor and left with a prescription for 6 medications. No joke. Cancer patients don't even take that many pills.

[brycejmcewen]

So does "Prozak Nation" make you think that maybe all of these drugs they give people aren't that bad? It just seems ridiculous that a person could go to a shrink once and leave with a prescription for Prozak. How can you tell if a person is depressed after meeting them once?

[karmattack]

About the article, I'll try and stay out of this one. I have so little sympathy for people looking for quick solutions to legitimate problems. It's like, you're in this situation for a reason, maybe the purpose of being here is figuring out for yourself how to get out of it. That's regardless of chemical factors.

aaaaaaaaack! Our new party dress is Prozac, our new babysitter is Ridilin.

[brycejmcewen]

It's funny when you say it like that. I LOVE quick fixes, but I have some sort of problem with everybody taking drugs. It's really odd, maybe a Dr. can prescribe something for me.

[Robbo_the_Hood]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
So does "Prozak Nation" make you think that maybe all of these drugs they give people aren't that bad?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah ha! You haven't read it. Then I shall enlighten you with a plot summary. Journalist Elizabeth Wurtzel battles depression since the age of 12. After therapy, relocating, drugs, a suicide attempt, in a last ditche effort her doctors prescribe the (then) experimental drug Prozac.

Along with dealing with her own depression, Wurtzel brings up questions as to why so many of her peers are depressed, and how Prozac came to be given out like Halloween candy.

Keep in mind, I am not depressed, nor am I on drugs, nor would I want to be on drugs if I were depressed. I'm not saying this book is justification for doctors to do what they want after one meeting. That's the doctors fault. But it did change my mind to a lot of things I hadn't thought about a person afflicted with depression.

So, before we judge reading material, read the material.

Oh, what am I saying. Just wait for the movie to come out (starring Christina Ricci). Movies never change the theme of the books from which they were adapted. Nor would anyone try to replace the original theme with their own agenda.

[brycejmcewen]

I wasn't judging, just asking what stance it takes. From your original post, it seemed to me that the book took the stance that Prozak is good, which would be surprising. Most people seem to be against taking drugs like Prozak. It sounds like an interesting read, not exactly a happy-go-lucky-sitting-on-the-dock-drinking kind of book, but interesting non-the-less.

[psychofiend]

"I get high on G-O-D." -The Minister in That 70s show

[Zens_7s]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I recommend reading Elizabeth Wurtzul's "Prozac Nation." I read it, not only because Zens told me to, but because she made me. And I figured out why she goes crazy every now and then.

[/ QUOTE ]I didn't make you do anything, I just simply said I would revoke those "privileges" you find so important if you did not comply.

In regards to the topic, overmedicating is a cultural problem. From a young age we are taught to look to a pill for the answers, instead of seeking ways to cope. Often, general practitioners are prescribing drugs for mental imbalances, when they have little to no training in psychopharmacology. It is the equivalent of hiring a plumber to fix your car.

It reminds me of a situation that happened to a short time back. When my father passed away, I was highly stressed, grieving, and also trying to negotiate a move home from California. I went to my doctor complaining of insomnia (a problem I still have) and a cold. He spent less than 5 min. with me and I walked out with a perscription for 3 different types of anti-depressants/painkillers/sleepaids, all with multiple refills. Later it bothered me how easy it was to throw highly addictive substances at someone, when I clearly was having natural reactions and not suffering from clinical depression.

There are many people in this world that medication benefits. The disturbing part is convincing people to cope with pain and life with a pill. If you are sad, take some Prozac, if you are tired snort some coke, if you need to sleep pop some Valium or Vicodin. Is pot really a gateway drug, or is it an overly prescribed legal medication culture?

To steal from one of my favorite songs, we are raising a culture of people who believe To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)