Thank you both for a very helpful conversation. So needed and so rare. The medication problem is bouncing out of control. Great to see clear heads finding much needed solutions. The psychological field has been far too dependent on medications as a solution when much more natural and home grown therapeutic solutions would likely be much better approach.
As a therapist I was lucky, (though I didn't think so at the time) to get my first job working with folks who were either dying or grieving. These were healthy people in the midst of a natural life crisis. It taught me how "normal" people deal with trauma, without being medicated. And it taught me what a therapist can do to support their efforts. It also showed me clearly the healthy ways men deal with loss and trauma. No meds. Thank goodness I got that start.
Just about everyone I know is on psychiatric medications. That’s a problem. Or under the influence of massive amounts of weed, or on opioids. I have had to walk away from a TON of people because of it. No wonder people are erratic as hell. All of those medications cannot be filtered from our municipal water supply so I do not drink from the public water supply any longer.
The overuse is quite disturbing. I understand the hesitation around public supply water, it's written off as conspiracy-theory, but my husband told me something eye-opening.
He was for a time doing research at the ETH-the top engineering school in Europe. His lab was with the biochemists, every lab had a tap for distilled water for experiements. The biochemists couldn't even use THAT, they had to spend 100 USD on specialized water, because even the distilled water had enough hormone-remnants to skew their measurments! That just blew my mind.
I used to determine the overhead rate for federally sponsored research in the US and spent a lot of time in labs so water is on my mind frequently. I had a prominent biochemist as a friend who was doing research on aluminum and possible contributions to Alzheimer’s and dementia “back in the day”. I was unaware of hormone remnants in the distilled water in labs, though. That IS mind blowing! As for “conspiracy theories” regarding what makes us sick, I spent enough time in labs to comprehend that some of the research I saw was not necessarily to make us healthier. I just let people think what they need to now when I mention the importance of clean water. Even my dog drinks RO water. I did see research on cleft palate repair that was good. I know enough to always ask who is funding the research. Thanks for that bit of information on hormone remnants. Wow.
I would like to add that in my area, I know of parents with children as young as 9 years old who have children on SSRI’s, anxiety medication (benzos) and antipsychotic medications. That is incredibly irresponsible. From direct observation, it is the parents who desire quiet, docile children and do not really want to do much with them. In other words, the problem is rather lazy parenting and may not be so much the children. That simply sucks. I have no fancy college word to describe that….just “sucks”. I’ve read all of Dr. Breggin’s books and for sure there is another way. We do that at understaffed elder care facilities as well. Just drug the crap out of them to keep them quiet. I saw that myself. There must be a better way.
Would like to concur with your comment on parents who want certain behavior from children and easier parenting. I think there are many societal expectations from community, school and family so parents are “desperate” for child to conform quickly.
In the case of anxiety and depression, they are often exposed to see solution as medications. But the parent needs to stay focused on the pillars of health. Sleep. Nutrition. Exercise. Limits on screen time. Nature. Routine. All these require significant time & energy investment. And that may still not be enough. The parent needs more time in understanding and in attachment with child attending many higher level parent counseling or courses.
Parents need to be supported by a safety network of aunties or uncles and by integration in a traditional Christian community.
I’ll tell you what, though, just getting up early to hear the birds sing is so much better than anything a pill has to offer in terms of mood elevation, that’s for sure. I’m pretty sure the pharmaceutical industry would disagree but I found that out for myself without a grant!
Wow. This is so informative. My gut has been telling me this. I have been trying to get everyone I know to be more skeptical and curious about what their kids have been easily prescribed by pediatricians…
Insidon 50mg. Tricyclic. 40 years on and off. Only antid that ever hit that particular spot. Tried alot of others. Lithium,citalopram,lamictal,parstellin.
I'm glad it helped you! I hope you are being followed up well medically when you're on them, make sure your GP runs repeat ECGs and cardiovascular checks, they often forget how important that is on these types of medications. And if you suddenly start feeling more confused, please let them know. I wish you all the best!
As a practicing Psychiatrist, I can't say that I agree with the majority of what you presented here. Some things are very valid, but in my decade of experience, I haven't had the same experience as you. It would be fascinating to have a conversation with you.
Thank you both for a very helpful conversation. So needed and so rare. The medication problem is bouncing out of control. Great to see clear heads finding much needed solutions. The psychological field has been far too dependent on medications as a solution when much more natural and home grown therapeutic solutions would likely be much better approach.
As a therapist I was lucky, (though I didn't think so at the time) to get my first job working with folks who were either dying or grieving. These were healthy people in the midst of a natural life crisis. It taught me how "normal" people deal with trauma, without being medicated. And it taught me what a therapist can do to support their efforts. It also showed me clearly the healthy ways men deal with loss and trauma. No meds. Thank goodness I got that start.
Thank you Tom! They were lucky to get you as a therapist.
Just about everyone I know is on psychiatric medications. That’s a problem. Or under the influence of massive amounts of weed, or on opioids. I have had to walk away from a TON of people because of it. No wonder people are erratic as hell. All of those medications cannot be filtered from our municipal water supply so I do not drink from the public water supply any longer.
The overuse is quite disturbing. I understand the hesitation around public supply water, it's written off as conspiracy-theory, but my husband told me something eye-opening.
He was for a time doing research at the ETH-the top engineering school in Europe. His lab was with the biochemists, every lab had a tap for distilled water for experiements. The biochemists couldn't even use THAT, they had to spend 100 USD on specialized water, because even the distilled water had enough hormone-remnants to skew their measurments! That just blew my mind.
I used to determine the overhead rate for federally sponsored research in the US and spent a lot of time in labs so water is on my mind frequently. I had a prominent biochemist as a friend who was doing research on aluminum and possible contributions to Alzheimer’s and dementia “back in the day”. I was unaware of hormone remnants in the distilled water in labs, though. That IS mind blowing! As for “conspiracy theories” regarding what makes us sick, I spent enough time in labs to comprehend that some of the research I saw was not necessarily to make us healthier. I just let people think what they need to now when I mention the importance of clean water. Even my dog drinks RO water. I did see research on cleft palate repair that was good. I know enough to always ask who is funding the research. Thanks for that bit of information on hormone remnants. Wow.
I would like to add that in my area, I know of parents with children as young as 9 years old who have children on SSRI’s, anxiety medication (benzos) and antipsychotic medications. That is incredibly irresponsible. From direct observation, it is the parents who desire quiet, docile children and do not really want to do much with them. In other words, the problem is rather lazy parenting and may not be so much the children. That simply sucks. I have no fancy college word to describe that….just “sucks”. I’ve read all of Dr. Breggin’s books and for sure there is another way. We do that at understaffed elder care facilities as well. Just drug the crap out of them to keep them quiet. I saw that myself. There must be a better way.
Would like to concur with your comment on parents who want certain behavior from children and easier parenting. I think there are many societal expectations from community, school and family so parents are “desperate” for child to conform quickly.
In the case of anxiety and depression, they are often exposed to see solution as medications. But the parent needs to stay focused on the pillars of health. Sleep. Nutrition. Exercise. Limits on screen time. Nature. Routine. All these require significant time & energy investment. And that may still not be enough. The parent needs more time in understanding and in attachment with child attending many higher level parent counseling or courses.
Parents need to be supported by a safety network of aunties or uncles and by integration in a traditional Christian community.
I’ll tell you what, though, just getting up early to hear the birds sing is so much better than anything a pill has to offer in terms of mood elevation, that’s for sure. I’m pretty sure the pharmaceutical industry would disagree but I found that out for myself without a grant!
Wow. This is so informative. My gut has been telling me this. I have been trying to get everyone I know to be more skeptical and curious about what their kids have been easily prescribed by pediatricians…
Insidon 50mg. Tricyclic. 40 years on and off. Only antid that ever hit that particular spot. Tried alot of others. Lithium,citalopram,lamictal,parstellin.
I'm glad it helped you! I hope you are being followed up well medically when you're on them, make sure your GP runs repeat ECGs and cardiovascular checks, they often forget how important that is on these types of medications. And if you suddenly start feeling more confused, please let them know. I wish you all the best!
As a practicing Psychiatrist, I can't say that I agree with the majority of what you presented here. Some things are very valid, but in my decade of experience, I haven't had the same experience as you. It would be fascinating to have a conversation with you.
May I ask what you didn't agree with?