Although the use of drugs to treat mental illness has been done since the 1800s, it was only after the introduction of Lithium by Australian psychiatrist J.F.J Cade that psychopharmacology became popularized. Current studies have found that one in ten Americans excluding those institutionalized are prescribes psychotropic drugs. IMS reports that antidepressant prescriptions grew by 12%, anxiety medications by 16%, antipsychotics by 35%, and drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder by 37% between the years of 2002 and 2006. (Munsey 52) This merits the question, How far will this trend continue? In the 1960's as a large increase of psychotropic drugs began being used in institutions to treat mental illness, society developed the idea that these drugs were the answer to all mental disorders. This introduced a whole new issue in the field of treatment of mental disorders. The use of pychotropic drugs allows a person to avoid directly addressing mental disorder through psychotherapy. Through the use of psychotropic drugs many have avoided the shame associated with their illness in places where it is still stigmatized. This avoidance of the underlying problem and only medicating the symptoms means the patient will continue the use of their medication indefinitely. Through psychotherapy a patient can address the symptoms through supportive counseling. Cognitive therapy helps in the differentiation between major and minor issues in life and the changing of pessimistic ideas, unrealistic expectations, and critical self evaluations. Problem solving therapy helps the patient to change the areas of their life that act as stressors for their mental disorder and the development of better coping skills to handle these stresses. (Franklin) Through these uses of psychotherapy a patient would be able to in many cases minimize or even eliminate the use of many medications currently prescribed.
Works Cited
Franklin, D. J.. N.p.. Web. 20 Nov 2013. <http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/treatment.htm>.
Munsey, C. "At least one in 10 Americans are
prescribed psychotropics." American Psychological Association. 39.2
(2008): 52.
Bravo! It infuriates me every time someone gets stessed out and goes to the dr only to be giving anxiety or depression drugs for a stress of life. What did our ancesters do? Exercise, talk and deal w/the problems seek counseling anthing but pills which it seems more and more people get addicted too!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful topic! I believe if more individuals educated themselves about these medications they would be a little more apprehensive about taking them. With the right information people may try other solutions before taking medication. I tend to think they are over prescribed and used as a cure all for many different situations. This will be a great topic for our next paper as well.
ReplyDeleteSonney,
ReplyDeleteYou picked a really interesting topic! It seems like in today's time, people automatically go for a drug prescription without stopping to educate themselves about the type of medication. You did a great job with this blog, and this will be an excellent topic for your paper!
You did a really well job of presenting the research you found a i LOVE the title! You picked a really interesting topic that I would've never thought of. I wish you luck! It sounds like it'll be a great paper!
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