In just the last century, the United States has seen a rapid onset of new research in psychological studies as well as various methods of treating mental disorders. From the lobotomy to SSRI antidepressants, saying that our nation has undergone a tremendous growth in this field would be an immense understatement. However, with this progression comes much controversy. Although many, if not most, would argue that neurological medication is a valid resource for those suffering from some sort of mental disorder, some assert that our understanding of the chemistry in the brain is not sufficient enough to warrant such a thing. Joel M. Kauffman, a professor of chemistry at the university of sciences, expands on this assertion in his article “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Drugs: More Risks than Benefits?” In it, he evaluates the adverse reactions of SSRI antidepressants and attributes them to the ways in which we diagnose people. Unlike most health problems such as a broken bone or respiratory illness which can be confirmed by an X-ray or other kind of physical test, a mental diagnosis is far less tangible. We cannot scan someone’s brain and confirm that they have Bipolar Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder. Instead, we base our diagnoses on what is expressed vocally by a patient in a therapeutic session or a questionnaire. Because we are limited in our understanding of the mind, it is not surprising that many of the neurological medications distributed in the pharmaceutical industry have stirred debate. And so, it has become crucial amidst the progression of such an industry that these medications be re-examined and evaluated for their value in light of the many problems they induce. The common antidepressant medication SSRIs Zoloft and Paxil are among the most common remedies utilized for people suffering from depression by psychiatric professionals. These drugs are intended to allow the mind to fix the serotonin imbalance believed to have caused the depression. Strangely though, one of the most common side effects of these medications is increased sadness and suicide ideation. Although these medicines are intended to nullify persistent sadness, the side effects are no different than the symptoms which call for the medicine. In the aforementioned article “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Drugs: More Risks than Benefits?”, Kauffman notes that only about 30% of patients who have been treated with SSRI reported a positive effect from the medication. Moreover, up to 75% of patients who took SSRIs claimed to have experienced the adverse side effects[1]. Another key point made by Kauffman is that much of the positive effect brought upon by SSRI medication may actually be attributed to the placebo effect. Indeed, our failure to address depression from a medicinal standpoint likely spurs from our understanding of the mind—we understand all the genetic and societal factors that affect an individual’s mind, but we are still in discord over how the chemicals in the brain work. We know that depression is usually linked with a serotonin imbalance in the brain, but yet we still have no way of measuring such to classify an individual’s condition like how we recognize a broken bone. When someone breaks a bone, we don’t treat them according to how they describe the pain, but rather what shows up on an X-ray. Because a mental disorder is so less tangible than a physical illness, we have other methods of diagnosing—more risky methods. We choose to base our diagnoses on what is expressed verbally between patient and psychiatrist, and hand out medicine this way. Unsurprisingly, these drugs have had very odd and serious reactions in people. Some of these reactions include increased heart rate, irritability, moodiness and in some cases, fatality. Another significant reason for being against antidepressant medication would be that it offers an individual hope through means of a medicinal dependency rather than through self-help and independent healing. This point, having to do with the ethics of neurological medication, entails a negative regard of one relying on some sort of mysterious brain stimulant for help as opposed to doing this through something like yoga or meditation. Many people would suggest natural remedies as the most effective and at the same time innocuous way to battle depression. Some even propose herbs and vitamins to combat depression, such as St. John’s Wort or Omega-3 fatty acids. Some statistics have actually shown that these natural remedies like such have been more useful for individuals than SSRI medication. For example, exercise is known to increase levels of endorphins in the body, thus bettering one’s mood substantially. Also, yoga induces a serenity in the mind and is statistically proven to decrease levels of stress and anxiety. Although there are many reasons for why one should avoid taking medicine for a neurological disorder, there are also those who defend its usage. Judith Warner of the New York Times argues in her article “The Wrong Story about Depression” that medicinal help is far more effective than psychotherapy. She addresses the claims against SSRI medication which assert that it does little for patients by suggesting that it only works well for people who are extremely depressed. She says that only people who exhibit symptoms of severe and persistent sadness benefit from the drugs, and that the adverse effects do not apply to these people[2]. However, it is well known that these adverse reactions have manifested specifically not in those who are not or mildly depressed, but rather in young adults and teenagers, regardless of their level of depression. Although antidepressants have been proven to work for many individuals, how they work is a much more important issue. It seems that as advanced as modern science has become, it is yet to fully grasp something as mysterious and complex as the mind. So, to take medication that alters the chemistry in the brain and attempts to cure a supposed disorder is by all means risky and unethical. Therefore, natural remedies such as herbs or physical exercises which have consistently proven to help an individual without the many side effects associated with SSRIs and other neurological medicines may in fact be the most productive and safe solution for those who suffer from depression.
Sources:
1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
2. The Wrong Story about Depression
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