make new friends, get advice, support, and chat!
What qualifies as SCIENCE?
It is a Sunday morning in March and suprisingly the weather is quite nice here in Boston. It's in the high fifties...about time since we had over 70.5 inches of snow this year where the average in MA is 40.5....so that snow melted pretty quick this weekend- but alas, spring is in two weeks.
There has been an issue that is REALLY concerning me lately and I think I may write it in the columnit section of the Boston Globe....hoping it gets to the New York Post....
At a time when we have come so far in science, we have so much farther to go....in terms of what you may ask? The SCIENCE known as PSYCHIATRY. Yeah, that SCIENCE that is almost impossible to prove in any court case (emotional distress an event has caused) and impossible to see, but most important, impossible to FIX.
Alas, we need SCIENCE to step in, NOT doctors who sit on leathery comfortable chairs medicating every 11 and 12 year old with drugs that will only give MORE money to the United States Drug Manufacturers....you'd think by this time (now that it's 2009 and peeps are so concerned about stocks, the economy and America's version of a "quick fix") that the drug companies would have share holders in the buisness or at least offer some stocks and trades......now, just how many people would invest in that.....yeah, they'd make millions....of course, the HUMAN BEINGS (like myself) would find this utterly disgusting and thus would not participate.
I guess I would describe our time as Dickens did his, "The best of times for science, the worst of times for science".....I just wish real science would step in and put a stop to this madness we call "psychiatry." And if you don't think it's a good idea, go look up the suicide attempts by kids, teens and adults here in the United States due to these new drugs.....or better yet, give me ONE malady of the brain, from depression to ADHD that there is NOT a drug for.
So, back to my point...SCIENCE IS BASED ON FACTS. THOSE FACTS ARE BASED ON EVIDENCE. But HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE SOMETHING YOU CANNOT SEE, OBSERVE, FEEL OR KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT. ANSWER: YOU DON'T. You write another drug name on the prescription and ASSUME THAT FROM YOUR PREDICTIONS OF UNOBSERVABLE EVIDENCE that you are making progress.
I WANT TO KNOW WHERE NEUROSCIENCE IS WITH ALL THIS? WHY DO WE HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A BAND AID ON THE DEPRESSION OR ADHD WHEN WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS GO IN AND FIX IT. YES, I KNOW IT'S NOT THAT EASY....obviously:) and I know that it's ADVANCED SCIENCE. But one thing we can count on.....at least it qualifies AS SCIENCE. I don't want to be able to put a band aid on the drop of people's seratonin levels....I want to be able to EVEN OUT THE CHEMICALS.....in order to do that...you'd have to apply REAL science. We need to be able to obsereve it, KNOW what part of the brain and what chemical we need to increase and find a way to INCREASE it permanently. Now, this is not as easy as ordering lunch from McDonald's I understand that......but I feel like we get so much information all day long that we lose our common sense......at least these kid's psychiatrists seem too....and do we have any idea what the long term effects are? Ever read the book "Prozac Nation?" I think that's what our age can be titled.....the age of Prozac addicts....all looking for a cheap buy, a quick fix, and something to cure their kids.....so let me ask again....when do we START TO USE SCIENCE, NOT PSYCHOLOGY?
Thoughts?
There has been an issue that is REALLY concerning me lately and I think I may write it in the columnit section of the Boston Globe....hoping it gets to the New York Post....
At a time when we have come so far in science, we have so much farther to go....in terms of what you may ask? The SCIENCE known as PSYCHIATRY. Yeah, that SCIENCE that is almost impossible to prove in any court case (emotional distress an event has caused) and impossible to see, but most important, impossible to FIX.
Alas, we need SCIENCE to step in, NOT doctors who sit on leathery comfortable chairs medicating every 11 and 12 year old with drugs that will only give MORE money to the United States Drug Manufacturers....you'd think by this time (now that it's 2009 and peeps are so concerned about stocks, the economy and America's version of a "quick fix") that the drug companies would have share holders in the buisness or at least offer some stocks and trades......now, just how many people would invest in that.....yeah, they'd make millions....of course, the HUMAN BEINGS (like myself) would find this utterly disgusting and thus would not participate.
I guess I would describe our time as Dickens did his, "The best of times for science, the worst of times for science".....I just wish real science would step in and put a stop to this madness we call "psychiatry." And if you don't think it's a good idea, go look up the suicide attempts by kids, teens and adults here in the United States due to these new drugs.....or better yet, give me ONE malady of the brain, from depression to ADHD that there is NOT a drug for.
So, back to my point...SCIENCE IS BASED ON FACTS. THOSE FACTS ARE BASED ON EVIDENCE. But HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE SOMETHING YOU CANNOT SEE, OBSERVE, FEEL OR KNOW SO LITTLE ABOUT. ANSWER: YOU DON'T. You write another drug name on the prescription and ASSUME THAT FROM YOUR PREDICTIONS OF UNOBSERVABLE EVIDENCE that you are making progress.
I WANT TO KNOW WHERE NEUROSCIENCE IS WITH ALL THIS? WHY DO WE HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING A BAND AID ON THE DEPRESSION OR ADHD WHEN WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS GO IN AND FIX IT. YES, I KNOW IT'S NOT THAT EASY....obviously:) and I know that it's ADVANCED SCIENCE. But one thing we can count on.....at least it qualifies AS SCIENCE. I don't want to be able to put a band aid on the drop of people's seratonin levels....I want to be able to EVEN OUT THE CHEMICALS.....in order to do that...you'd have to apply REAL science. We need to be able to obsereve it, KNOW what part of the brain and what chemical we need to increase and find a way to INCREASE it permanently. Now, this is not as easy as ordering lunch from McDonald's I understand that......but I feel like we get so much information all day long that we lose our common sense......at least these kid's psychiatrists seem too....and do we have any idea what the long term effects are? Ever read the book "Prozac Nation?" I think that's what our age can be titled.....the age of Prozac addicts....all looking for a cheap buy, a quick fix, and something to cure their kids.....so let me ask again....when do we START TO USE SCIENCE, NOT PSYCHOLOGY?
Thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by JD on -
I could not agree more with this particular discussion. I studied psychology while in college... got my degree in it, then of course decided it wasn't for me. But from the very beginning, one thing I KNEW was that I had NO desire to be a psychiatrist, but rather a psychologist/counselor. Of course the main distinction is that a psychiatrist is an MD who actually is able to prescribe meds to people... the others just use other methods of therapy.
While these type of meds CAN sometimes be useful in covering up the REAL problem, it has been my observation that we are in fact only putting a "band-aid" over the real problem. During my time working in various group homes of adults with various mental issues, I saw a wide range of reactions to these drugs (and nearly ALL of the residents took at least 1 or 2 drugs of this sort, some of them MANY more than that). I saw some of them so highly medicated that they acted nearly like zombies, obviously oblivious to what the world was REALLY like. They were merely EXISTING, not truly LIVING. I saw others who sometimes were given a wrong prescription (or more likely given multiple drugs that didn't interact together very well). In short, even though I feel like I learned some things during this time of my life, I gradually began to lose hope inside of me that these people would EVER get COMPLETELY BETTER.
So yes... we do need to look more at those things that can be measured scientifically. And I believe that as far as what to do beyond that (when we feel like we've already done everything else we KNOW to do), we need to give these people HOPE... help them to realize just how amazing life can be, and how much fun it can be! Give them opportunities to interact with each other & within the community. Help them to feel NEEDED, and to feel VALUED as human beings. After all, isn't that a VERY large part of what makes us truly human?
Any other thoughts?
About
Badge
Ning Blog
Santa moves from the North Pole to the Internet
Happy holidays from the Ning Team! While many people have today off, not all Ning Network members do. For instance: the members of MAPS (Michigan Association of Professional Santas), a Ning Network for Michigan-based Santas and their “counterparts” — elves, Mrs. Clause, etc. Members can take advantage of special offers for members (use of a [...]Waggleforce: Working together to get back to work
A waggle is the dance that an individual honey bee does, as he works for the greater good of the whole colony. Within a group of people working together, if each one does their own “waggle”, then a waggle force has been created. The Waggleforce Ning Network helps members collaborate with each other to create [...]A new way of reaching out for Immaculata University
On Monday, we talked about a trend we’re seeing on Ning; admissions offices creating Ning Networks for their admitted students to connect with each other before arriving on campus. Today we’re posting the second of three interviews we’ve completed with Network Creators of three these Ning Networks. Up today is Derek Luther of Immaculata University. [...]Is there life after New York?
A recent study found that New Yorkers are the unhappiest residents of the U.S., coming in dead last in a study of all 50 states. So what’s a New Yorker to do? For some, there’s a simple answer – leave. But how do you find the strength to leave a city that inspired the quote: [...]Online orientation at Alfred University
Ed note: On Monday, we talked about a trend we’re seeing on Ning; admissions offices creating Ning Networks for their admitted students to connect with each other before arriving on campus. Today we’re posting the first of three interviews we’ve completed with Network Creators of three these Ning Networks. Up first is Jodi Bailey of [...]Updates to Ning’s Privacy Policy
Today, we’re updating our Privacy Policy to make it easier for you to understand our privacy practices and how we use data at Ning. Some of the key changes include the addition of a highlights page and simplified language. These changes do not alter the way in which we handle personally identifiable information and many [...]Orientation starts early for incoming college students
Only a half-dozen years ago, incoming college students first saw their classmates in a “facebook,” a collection of headshot photos, which was mailed to incoming students. And they likely didn’t talk to their fellow incoming students until new-student orientation began after they arrived on campus. Times have changed, and Ning is fast becoming an important step [...]Ning Apps for the Holidays
With the holidays upon us, I’d love to suggest a few Ning Apps that can help make the season brighter, more generous and possibly even a little more fun: SocialGiving Help support those that are less fortunate by donating to registered charities around the world. Ustream Stay connected with family, friends and fellow network members via live video streaming. [...]Thisis50: If it’s hot, it’s here
Thisis50 makes a clear statement — if it’s hot, it’s here. Members can purchase 50’s latest album, Before I Self Destruct, and weigh in on their favorite track with a poll on the Main Page. It’s also the place to watch music videos, like the official “Do You Think About Me” video, which features 50’s [...]It’s a Twilight Saga kind of year
There isn’t much more to say about Twilight at this point. If you haven’t read the books, caught a showing of the movie, stopped by the Twilight Saga Ning Network or chosen a side (Team Edward or Team Jacob), then you probably have found some secret lair that’s immune from the influence and effects of [...]© 2009 Created by G on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
