Really, there are just so many variables. As was mentioned, millions take these drugs everyday, with no issues. The connection is interesting, but, again, which came first?? I don't think you'll ever be able to prove the meds caused it...perhaps the propensity to do something like this was there from the beginning, before the drugs.

.perhaps the propensity to do something like this was there from the beginning, before the drugs.

 

I tend to believe there was not.

Good topic for discussion. Though I have no experience taking the aforementioned medication myself, I have known someone very close to me get prescribed a very large combination of medication to "treat" his depression and bi-polar symptoms. After having been prescribed this medicine he described himself as being numb...not able to be overly excited or sad about anything. I personally don't know how anyone would want to live their life that way. However, it is unfortunate that many people will take the meds prescribed without questioning their quantity and true need just because they assume a doctor is all-knowing and can do no harm. In determining the depth of therapy he was getting while on the meds, I was informed that the psychiatrist pretty much just asked about his levels and if he felt they needed to be altered. So, in a sense, the psychiatrist prescribed a 3 or 6 month supply of meds (can't remember which) without requiring or providing any actual therapy!! I don't know how this not malpractice.

 

And that is truly the scary thing. The situation I described above is not unique. I have known other people who have gone to their PCP to get anxiety medicine....again without any directive to have counseling in conjunction with it!! As someone with a counseling background, I can affirm that many issues surrounding anxiety and depression can be managed with effective therapy....without the need of medicine. With that being the case, why is therapy not properly being utilized??? Doctors are prescribing psycho-tropic drugs like candy without ever requiring the patient to seek help for their underlying issues. Medicine is being used as a first line of defense when instead therapy should be. My thinking is that only in those instances where therapy alone is not effective should medicine even be considered. However, doctors (and patients) continually want to take the easy way out and throw medicine at the problem and cover up the emotional wounds. In essence, the medicine merely masks the symptoms, but doesn't truly treat the problem. As a result, people are being over medicated, which has undoubtedly led to some of the tragedies referred to in the first post.

 

Sorry for the rant, but this topic just hits a little too close to home for me these days after having seen the effect that some of the drugs in question had on my friend.

Edited January 14, 201313 yr by 20/20Hindsight
Clarification

I always found it strange that one of the warnings for the more serious anti-depressants was 'thoughts of suicide'. Why does an anti-depressant drug exacerbate suicidal thoughts in enough clinical cases to include a warning?

I always found it strange that one of the warnings for the more serious anti-depressants was 'thoughts of suicide'. Why does an anti-depressant drug exacerbate suicidal thoughts in enough clinical cases to include a warning?

 

Because homocidal thoughts would be too harsh to read on a warning label?

The question is, were they on normal dosages when they committed the crimes or did they stop taking the meds, then commit the crimes? I don't think we can say it's simply the medication if we don't know if they were actually taking it properly.

 

As others have said, there's a reason it was prescribed to them.

The question is, were they on normal dosages when they committed the crimes or did they stop taking the meds, then commit the crimes? I don't think we can say it's simply the medication if we don't know if they were actually taking it properly.

 

As others have said, there's a reason it was prescribed to them.

Several problems with that. A. What are normal dosages? Again, way too much trial and error in dosing uptake inhibitors. B. Who prescribed them? GP? Psych? Who? C. if the government wanted to really get to the bottom of this, and it's my doubt they do, then spend time, money and effort in checking into the medical histories and meds of these incidents. Get a warrant so the docs can't block that. Get to the core of the problem.

 

Problem with C. is that you will have no luck in finding anyone in a committee made of politicians whose pockets are lined by the very ones who will be called to the carpet when hoping someone will take action. Good luck having any of this change because of that fact. So, instead we will get a band-aid on our broken arm with a gun ban. Outstanding.

The wholesale prescribing of heavy-duty psychotropics by PCPs - without proper psychiatric evaluation and adjunct services such as ongoing counseling - is very, very troubling.

The wholesale prescribing of heavy-duty psychotropics by PCPs - without proper psychiatric evaluation and adjunct services such as ongoing counseling - is very, very troubling.

Amen, think it will change?

Amen, think it will change?

 

I can only hope. But think - no. The cynic in me believes that the pharmaceutical companies/the medical community in general has too many resources to bring to bear.

The wholesale prescribing of heavy-duty psychotropics by PCPs - without proper psychiatric evaluation and adjunct services such as ongoing counseling - is very, very troubling.

 

THIS! It never bothered me until I knew of people who have become "victims" of the irresponsible practices you described. And now, quite frankly, I am beyond worried for those people I know who blindly take the medicine prescribed to them.

THIS! It never bothered me until I knew of people who have become "victims" of the irresponsible practices you described. And now, quite frankly, I am beyond worried for those people I know who blindly take the medicine prescribed to them.

What's worse is when the decide to take themselves off.

Because homocidal thoughts would be too harsh to read on a warning label?

 

Ouch. Yep, that probably would look worse.

 

These stronger drugs due change patterns in the brain. Unlike the common ADHD stimulants that really just crank up the signaling. These anti-depressants take a while to take 'full effect' and hence it seems they are difficult to gauge their effectiveness quickly or easily. So it seems they are used for months regardless of impact as dosages are changed and updated. Again, the ADHD stimulant effect has a more direct impact and there little risk of immediate discontinued use if the desired impact is not apparent in a relatively short period.

As I have mentioned before, I work in this field. This situation is so very complicated. I can tell you the following:

 

1. Millions of people take psyc meds responsibly, and it greatly improves their lives.

 

2. Many do not take them responsibly and take street drugs on top of, or instead of them.

 

3. Sadly, there are parents who try to get their kids on meds unnecessarily so they can get the disability check.

 

4. Insurance reimbursement for psychiatric care is pathetic. Hospitals are being forced to bandaid these people and send them out in hopes that they will get follow up care. Follow up care is very difficult because it can take months to get into a clinic. The mental health system is incredibly difficult to navigate, which sets patients up for failure.

 

5. I have to agree with Spindoc when he said that parents have to make their kids their priority. Ignoring certain behaviors can have devastating consequences. Mental illness in often inherited. Mentally ill parents often can't properly take care of their children, so they are raised in the foster system or other family members.

 

6. The stigma against mental health remains strong. Until we are ready to truly tackle this, nothing will change.

 

7. I have been a nurse for over 30 years, the last twelve in psychiatry. The attitude of the very institutions I have worked in is the same. They throw big money at heart centers, birthing suites, luxury private rooms, trauma centers, etc.,but psychiatry always gets the short end of the stick. Every year, our staff (awesome people by the way), make do with less and less and continual budget cuts. It is very frustrating.

As I have mentioned before, I work in this field. This situation is so very complicated. I can tell you the following:

 

1. Millions of people take psyc meds responsibly, and it greatly improves their lives.

 

2. Many do not take them responsibly and take street drugs on top of, or instead of them.

 

3. Sadly, there are parents who try to get their kids on meds unnecessarily so they can get the disability check.

 

4. Insurance reimbursement for psychiatric care is pathetic. Hospitals are being forced to bandaid these people and send them out in hopes that they will get follow up care. Follow up care is very difficult because it can take months to get into a clinic. The mental health system is incredibly difficult to navigate, which sets patients up for failure.

 

5. I have to agree with Spindoc when he said that parents have to make their kids their priority. Ignoring certain behaviors can have devastating consequences. Mental illness in often inherited. Mentally ill parents often can't properly take care of their children, so they are raised in the foster system or other family members.

 

6. The stigma against mental health remains strong. Until we are ready to truly tackle this, nothing will change.

 

7. I have been a nurse for over 30 years, the last twelve in psychiatry. The attitude of the very institutions I have worked in is the same. They throw big money at heart centers, birthing suites, luxury private rooms, trauma centers, etc.,but psychiatry always gets the short end of the stick. Every year, our staff (awesome people by the way), make do with less and less and continual budget cuts. It is very frustrating.

 

Parent's get a disability check if their child is diagnosed with a psychological disorder?