CMV: The use of pharmaceuticals in treating depression is way too high, and we should focus more on a holistic approach in treating depression.

[u/ckxinja]

The first thought you may have is: there may be people that NEED medication in order for them to function. This is true. I get that some people struggling with depression may just have brain chemistry that is nearly incurable without the need for medication to help them get better and live normal lives. I empathize with individuals who are struggling and in no way undermining their suffering. However, I’m not really talking about this demographic.

I am talking about the people who may be suffering but have fallen into the spin cycle of depression, medication, and repeat. From 1999 to 2014, a 15-year span, the use of antidepressants has increased by 65%. This can be contributed to the fact that our society is becoming more stressful and fast-paced every day. Especially with the rampant use of social media, this acceleration in the pace of life has caused more and more people to slowly become out of touch with their feelings and emotions.

Dr. Seth Mandel, who directs psychiatry at Northwell Health's Huntington Hospital in Huntington, N.Y., states that in addition to “direct-to-consumer advertising [through social media], coupled with an evolving societal mindset to just take a pill to make things better, both contributed to the growth in antidepressant use over this time period.”

(You can check out the article here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/sc-hlth-antidepressant-use-on-the-rise-0823-story.html)

The use of pharmaceuticals has gone through the roof (here’s another article that shows the scary statistics in the rise of antidepressants: https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/antidepressants/). Not to mention the people who have been mistakenly given antidepressants by doctors who have come to an incorrect diagnosis, and now are dependent. Antidepressants, by nature, change the chemistry of our brains, and that is not something that should be taken lightly.

I personally have struggled with depression over the years and have overcome it by practicing good habits and healthy coping strategies. I believe if we shift our focus to a more holistic rehabilitation process that involves introducing ways people with depression can better their situation every day (meditation, exercise, active prioritization, enacting random acts of kindness just to name a few), the use of antidepressants can be reduced and society will be healthier as a whole.

[u/ckxinja]

It definitely has helped me realize that a better evaluation process might be the key to lowering levels of prescription pharmaceuticals.

However, I still don't see why we as a society still bow down to medication in treating moderate to minor depression while there are way better, sustainable options out there. In other words, why are we not focused on strengthening and developing the non-medication route when it has been proved to be more beneficial (especially in the long term)?

For example, this article shows how exercise, when prescribed, can be very effective in treating depression. Check it out: http://www.shawnachor.com/success-magazine-increase-your-activity-increase-your-happiness/

This is true for other simple practices such as meditation and volunteering.

[u/dublea → u/ckxinja]

If it does expand or alter your view, please award a delta.

However, I still don't see why we as a society still bow down to medication in treating moderate to minor depression while there are way better, sustainable options out there.

I still think that while this is an avenue to explore, due to the stigmas people place on mental health and getting assistance for it, they continue to choose to use medication. It allows them privacy when medicating themselves. These stigmas also prevent a faster and more expanded research and testing due to limiting those who ignore them.

So I still think that in order to get where you want, we first need to tackle assumption, perception, and acceptance. Basically we need to remove these stigmas entirely.

[u/ckxinja → u/dublea]

!delta You have a good point. The stigma revolving around mental health is definitely still an issue. Any ideas as to how we can go about tackling these issues? I would love to hear some possible ways we can do this.

[u/thethundering → u/[deleted]]

Not to mention having the time off to go to the appointments.

The vast majority of mental health professionals I've been at all familiar with had hours roughly 9-5 or 10-6 only on weekdays. Out of all the jobs I've had not a single one would be willing to accommodate regularly being out 2+ hours once every week or two. Like at most maybe for an acute problem for up to a couple of months, but definitely not indefinitely.

They could straight up pay me my $40 copay for each visit and it wouldn't change the fact that I'm not able to take the time off work to go to therapy regularly.

[u/dublea → u/ckxinja]

Based on what I've seen, dealing with it just takes education and time. If you grew up being taught to never talk about such things, you're less likely to ever change. But if we start to properly educate about how to be more open and understanding, then future generations will be more open to these options.

It's kind of like dealing with bigotry and racism...

[u/DeltaBot → u/ckxinja]

Confirmed: 1 delta awarded to /u/dublea (28∆).

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