10 votes

Let’s avoid talk of ‘chemical imbalance’: it’s people in distress

6 comments

  1. knocklessmonster
    Link
    I agree with the article in that solely blaming one thing and ignoring the other, but it goes both ways. The psychology results in a physical expression of the problem, and this physical...

    I agree with the article in that solely blaming one thing and ignoring the other, but it goes both ways. The psychology results in a physical expression of the problem, and this physical expression can, in turn, affect the psychological issues (the known mechanisms for depression are a good example). Further, you can have purely physical issues cause psychological issues through chemical means (malnutrition, disruptions to the circadian rhythm). I wouldn't want to talk to a psychologist who was willing to ignore the physical expression of my issues, much like I wouldn't want to talk to a psychiatrist who simply said "these pills will fix your problem."

    10 votes
  2. [3]
    wervenyt
    Link
    This hits on one of my largest nitpicks in discussion of mental healthcare, and I've heard this sort of paradigm of mind-body duality parroted by everyone from laymen to doctors who should know...

    This hits on one of my largest nitpicks in discussion of mental healthcare, and I've heard this sort of paradigm of mind-body duality parroted by everyone from laymen to doctors who should know better. News flash: you are your body, you are your brain, you are your mind. Individual spiritual beliefs aside, as far as science is aware, we are the sum total of the electrochemical impulses that happen in our bodies. Whether your mental illness is rooted in congenital or environmental factors primarily, it boils down to a roughly mechanistic system that's open to certain modes of change.

    As it stands, no antidepressants will cure anyone's depression in the sense that antibiotics do an infection, and the odds of that changing any time soon are slim. As it stands, you probably cannot talk an individual out of depressive psychosis. Resultingly, any framework that slots mental illness into either physiological or psychological is pretty much useless for real treatment.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      asoftbird
      Link Parent
      As far as l've experienced, antidepressants are a tool to make changes in your life to help mitigate the depression, not a magical cure. Same goes for ADHD and stimulants (which is comorbid with...

      As it stands, no antidepressants will cure anyone's depression in the sense that antibiotics do an infection, and the odds of that changing any time soon are slim.

      As far as l've experienced, antidepressants are a tool to make changes in your life to help mitigate the depression, not a magical cure. Same goes for ADHD and stimulants (which is comorbid with depression).

      3 votes
      1. wervenyt
        Link Parent
        Exactly, they work as a therapeutic tool, not as a comprehensive treatment in themselves. Beyond that, the idea of a magic depression-curing pill is honestly laughable given our current...

        Exactly, they work as a therapeutic tool, not as a comprehensive treatment in themselves. Beyond that, the idea of a magic depression-curing pill is honestly laughable given our current understanding of psychopharmacology.

        I do believe the treatment of ADHD with stimulants is significantly distinct though. Full remission from it is not really discussed (outside of aging), only developing coping mechanisms, whereas the ultimate goal for most patients with MDD is to escape depression for the most part.

        3 votes
  3. [3]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [2]
      ohyran
      Link Parent
      I kinda have to disagree here, not just because therapy is a massive industry but also the growth of companies like BetterHelp (I think its called). Anything and everything can be a commodity and...

      There are capitalistic forces behind pills that aren't present for therapy

      I kinda have to disagree here, not just because therapy is a massive industry but also the growth of companies like BetterHelp (I think its called). Anything and everything can be a commodity and the things that aren't have just not been made in to one just yet.

      Edit: I mean I know what you mean though there is a difference between the early stage companies for therapy and the medical ones of course.

      1 vote
      1. Contentus
        Link Parent
        1 session of psychotherapy costs me the same as months of medication. There is a monetary incentive on both.

        1 session of psychotherapy costs me the same as months of medication. There is a monetary incentive on both.

        1 vote