Antidepressant expose'

[Guest guest]

Dear Harsha,

 

That was a very interesting letter, and should be a sign to all that drugs

are no panacea. However, the SSRI antidepressants can be temporarily

helpful to those who are deeply depressed or suffering from panic disorder,

and are not responding to conventional treatments. To regard them as a

"panacea" is dangerous - but to regard them as dangerous and to be avoided

may also be unwise.

 

As in all "anti-chemical rants" I've read, there is some misinformation

contained in the post. I won't go into it, because I don't care enough.

There is much truth mixed with some exaggeration and misinformation.

Likewise in the "anti-Nutrasweet" literature.

 

These medications (SSRI Antidepressants) are not panaceas, not miracles,

and not permanent cures for anything. They are tools, more or less

effective depending on the body they are administered to. In the hands of

the wise, they can be of benefit. In the hands of the foolish, they can be

destructive.

 

Someone with acute, chronic, severe depression who is considering suicide

might be helped by these drugs, and such letters may scare such a person

away from trying. But on the other hand, those with mild depressions are

also being freely prescribed the SSRI's these days, probably to no good

effect. A sense of balance is needed.

 

Above all, I think the thing to remember is never to view the doctor or

psychiatrist as a God, and to participate in your own treatment. If your

doctor will not work with you closely in trying out and/or managing and

maintaining a medication, then abandon that doctor and find a new one. The

full participation and consent of the patient is crucial. Educate yourself

thoroughly before trying a chemical that may be harmful! Weigh the

potential risks and potential benefits.

 

All drugs have potential for great harm and for great help. Tremendous

wisdom, compassion and intelligence is necessary in deciding whether or not

to use a prescription drug. There are no panaceas and no simple answers in

this area.

 

Hari OM,

 

Tim

 

-----

The past is memory, the future imaginary. Be Here Now.

 

Visit "The Core" Website at http://coresite.cjb.net -

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[Guest guest]

DEAR HARSHA DID YOU NOT GET MY E MAIL ???? WILLIAM FOX

THANKS

[Guest guest]

Tim Gerchmez wrote:

> Dear Harsha,

>

> That was a very interesting letter, and should be a sign to all that drugs

> are no panacea. However, the SSRI antidepressants can be temporarily

> helpful to those who are deeply depressed or suffering from panic disorder,

> and are not responding to conventional treatments. To regard them as a

> "panacea" is dangerous - but to regard them as dangerous and to be avoided

> may also be unwise.

 

Thanks Tim for your important input. I will forward your full letter to HS. Here

is a brief exchange on the same topic giving my views. I won't post more on this

as it is not consistent with the list purpose. Just thought it was useful

information and may be of service.

 

Harsha

 

 

Rainbolily wrote:

> Dear Harsha,

>

> Thank you eversomuch for this very powerful email. My son is highly

> energetic and healthy and the teacher has wanted him to be put on Ritalin. I

> have fought this and this information will be extraordinarily useful. My

> sisters and brothers were also exceptionally high energy (I was the "calm"

> one, my mother thought me odd *g*) and they are now very succesful and

> triathletes as well ... I'm not *g*, although i am athletic.

>

> Had they been in school today, they'd have all been given these drugs, it's a

> tragedy that truly hurts my stomach to think about.

>

> Once again, thank you for your deep insight and great love,

> Annette

>

 

 

Thanks Annette. We can all thank El for the recent information. It is certainly

worth reflecting on. The human body is complex and there is quite a bit of

variation between individuals. I am not against the use of medicine or

medication.

In fact, it can be a real life saver.

 

As Mike points out, the prime directive of medicine is, "first of all, do no

harm."

The challenge for a physician then is for deciding when to use drugs and in what

dose. That must come from scientific reports, one's intuition and knowledge,

interaction with other knowledgeable colleagues in the field, and personal

experience with patients over time.

 

I am not a medical doctor, but it is my view that a great majority of so called

diseases are self healing given the right diet, environment, and support. Of

course, common sense suggests that we use the available medications to feel

better.

How many of us wait for a headache to go away by itself when Aspirin is

available?

 

Each person has to make such judgments about their body and we need to respect

those decisions. We cannot know another person's pain and suffering or the

extent

and intensity of it.

 

Probably everyone is doing the best they can to advance the understanding of the

human body. The more high quality information we have available to make such

decisions the better it is for us. I view information that El provided in that

context.

 

Love to all

Harsha

[Guest guest]

BOOKDET wrote:

> DEAR HARSHA DID YOU NOT GET MY E MAIL ???? WILLIAM FOX

> THANKS

>

>

 

Dear William

 

I have not received any messages from you that I am aware of. A message with

all capital letters would be hard to miss. Perhaps it went to someone else by

mistake. If you send it again, the subject line should reflect that it is a

private message by marking it "Private." Thanks.

 

Harsha