Thursday, September 19, 2013

Mental Illness - mind or body problem?





  1. I agree. The brain is a physical organ that works in an extremely complex and so far indecipherable way; a complex combination of physical, chemical, and electrical patterns (patterns in my opinion that give rise to a "spirit"). The link between the mind and body is very strong: just as physical pain can cause mental anguish, it has been shown in experiments that strong emotions can actually cause real physical pain.

    These biblical counselors are not better than those faith healers who believe just simple prayer can cure any and all illnesses.

    On the other hand, the state of psychiatric medication today is mostly profit-driven, crude and barbaric ... the effectiveness of any one drug for a person is probably not much better than a lobotomy. In fact a book has been written that suggests that these medications in the long-term might actually make symptoms even worse not better. And many pharmaceutical companies are pulling back because they fear in the future they will be crushed with lawsuits as science reveals how ineffective and damaging some of those pills are.

  2. Yes that's a good point, they are no better than the faith healers on TV!

    As to pharmacological concerns, I think there are valid points we must examine. Certainly some drugs are overprescribed and that fault is a mixture of patients demands, the state of our health insurance industry and the responsibility of doctors. I agree that some drugs are rushed out far too easily which points to problems in our FDA. However a lot of people suffering with mental illness still receive benefits from psychiatric drugs, and personally I know the medication I take has helped me tremendously.

  3. I agree. I have read anecdotes of people being helped by medication. But most/all doctors who prescribe such medication have little clue as to whether it will improve or injure the patient. For medications that have a long history, this might be less of a problem; but some of these newer or rare ones can be just atrocious.

  4. Yes I agree. And the FDA needs to be much stricter in how it deems a drug fit for market. Clearly the FDA is bowing to concerns of the big drug companies and not what is best for the consumer!


Please leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

Ratings and Recommendations by outbrain