Dr Oz's show on antidepressants...your thoughts?

Nurses Stress 101

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Anyone see Dr. Oz's show last week on antidepressants? I normally do not watch his show but when I saw it was on this topic I tuned in. There is no doubt he is staunchly opposed to antidepressants - especially their use in women - and feels they are over prescribed. I personally felt this show along with he and his two doctor guests, did a disservice to the use of these medications and in some ways made too light of depression/anxiety and all that goes with it and what true depression really is. As someone who is struggling a LOT with anxiety issues I can say first hand that trying to go the natural route of herbs/breathing exercises etc. is barely, if at all, lifting the band of pressure and fear that seems to get larger with each passing day and the thought that even prescriptions if obtained would not provide any relief makes me feel like giving up.

I certainly agree that exercise, proper nutrition and eliminating or minimizing stress plays a part but let's be realistic..when one is fearful of leaving their house or has to use all the energy they can muster to get out of bed to shower and brush their teeth, anyone with any compassion and common sense has to agree that a multivitamin and a quick walk aren't going to happen. And most people either over or under eat and gravitate toward comfort foods when stressed or upset. It seems to me his show just perpetuated the belief that depression/anxiety are not "real" or particularity serious.

Most people I know who are on or have taken medications in the past, are glad they have access to them or are glad they did and I have seen first hand the difference meds can make and am disappointed that even within the healthcare community ignorance toward mental health is still heavily out there.

Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

I didn't see the show but from prior posters and also as a person with depression as well as a psychiatric nurse he did his viewers a disservice by advocating that antidepressants are over prescribed maybe they are or maybe they are not but they save lives and they have saved mine where I can function better as a nurse and have a better quality of life.

Where does he get off judging an area not his domain. Cardiologists over prescribe drugs and treatments sometimes but there may be a family or person that hears that bunk and quit taking their medications because some TV doc said so. He should tend to what he knows. I have never cared for him since he had the bimbo looking nurse on his show for a segment. It is insulting for a physician to do so and if a physician did that in any other area or environment they would be in deep dodo. Just my 2 cents. :yes:

I haven't watched Dr. Oz in years, but I very much appreciate this post and the resulting discussions. Anxiety and depression have impacted my life on and off since my early teenage years. I have always felt conflicted when it came to antidepressants. I agree that they are over-prescribed, and I feel as though they may be too heavily relied upon as a "cure-all". I really didn't figure out how I feel about their place in mental healthcare until I had to evaluate their place in my own life.

Depression and anxiety very subtly and sneakily took control of my life. I very effectively hid my personal struggles from my loved ones and kept myself busy and distracted from my monkey mind. And then one day I realized I was within the firm grip of fear and dispair, and was so deep in this hole that I didn't even have the energy or motivation to claw my way out. I was so shocked to find myself here because I had overcome this fear before, and truly thought it would never again overtake me. More shocking still, I wasn't even sure how long I had been here. It suddenly felt as though my whole life had been an eternity of mistakes and suffering.

I am both a nurse and a self-proclaimed hippy. I always explore natural solutions before pharmaceutical solutions. I eat healthy, dance, sing, and love to stay physically and mentally fit, but I couldn't even remember how to do these things. For years I have studied, shared, and lived the work of spiritual masters and self-help gurus, and the fact that I now felt so disconnected from my path left me feeling angry. I, of all people, knew better than to succumb to this! And yet there I was, the apitomy of everything I have strived not to be ever again.

The hole I was in was deep, but I knew I could make it out if only I could get a little boost. I was terrified of antidepressants, and swore I would never ever ever (again) take them. Making the decision to ask for help in the form of pharmaceuticals went against everything I thought I believed in, but IT SAVED MY LIFE. It has been about 2 months since starting an SSRI, and I can't remember the last time I felt this clear-headed. I am now stable enough to resume the work that was so important to me before I began deteriorating. I feel better able to focus on a healthy lifestyle and on nurturing my spirit than ever before. My goal is to make permanent, natural changes while stabilized on medication, then ween myself off when I feel prepared and capable of maintaining my mental health on my own.

I can appreciate that Dr. Oz is advocating that patients take control of their own mental health and not rely entirely on pharmaceuticals to solve all their problems. But if he is completely discounting the necessity or efficacy of antidepressants, or worse yet- the legitimacy of depression and anxiety as mental illnesses, then that is truly shameful. As nurses and patient advocates we can help represent a different point of view and support our patients, friends, and families to make fully informed decisions when it comes to their own health management.

I wouldn't get my medical advice from Dr. Oz. I'm a longtime type 1 diabetic and was shocked by the outdated and flat out wrong information he shared about diabetes. Not surprised that he also mishandled the topic of antidepressants.

I cannot even watch his show....I get too distracted by his too tight face! But seriously just because he says it doesn't make it the best option for everyone. I hate when people think just because a doctor tells them something it is written in stone. Best of luck to you;)

Specializes in Med-Surg, NICU.

Dr. Oz just lost a lot of my respect. As someone who has a hx of mental illness and a family hx of depression, I NEED my meds. I cannot cope without them. Eating right and exercising can only do so much for someone who has a genetic predisposition to depression and neurochemical imbalance.

Do some doctors overprescribe anti-depressants? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that they are not needed or that mental illness isn't something to be taken seriously.

And, on another thought, does he even have a PsyD? Any training or expertise in the field of mental health? No? Foot to mouth, Dr. Oz, foot...to...mouth.

I wouldn't get my medical advice from Dr. Oz. I'm a longtime type 1 diabetic and was shocked by the outdated and flat out wrong information he shared about diabetes. Not surprised that he also mishandled the topic of antidepressants.

The man's a heart surgeon. What the heck does he know about diabetes.

One has to remember he is one of Oprah's favorites along with Dr.Phil. It's s shame that the mindless sheep that worship her also take advice from these 2 "experts" and consider it the gospel truth.

Besides, what type of idiot gets their medical advice from tv shows? People talk about getting medical advice and self diagnosing on the internet-there also should be talk about getting it from tv shows like the Doctors and Dr. OZ.

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.
The man's a heart surgeon. What the heck does he know about diabetes.

One has to remember he is one of Oprah's favorites along with Dr.Phil. It's s shame that the mindless sheep that worship her also take advice from these 2 "experts" and consider it the gospel truth.

Besides, what type of idiot gets their medical advice from tv shows? People talk about getting medical advice and self diagnosing on the internet-there also should be talk about getting it from tv shows like the Doctors and Dr. OZ.

The same people that take it from celebrities. Remember the whole Jenny McCarthy and autism thing.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
The same people that take it from celebrities. Remember the whole Jenny McCarthy and autism thing.

Or Tom Cruise and rant on postpartum depression?

no one should believe anything on day time tv lol thats like believing everything you see on the internet :(

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
The man's a heart surgeon. What the heck does he know about diabetes.

One has to remember he is one of Oprah's favorites along with Dr.Phil. It's s shame that the mindless sheep that worship her also take advice from these 2 "experts" and consider it the gospel truth.

Besides, what type of idiot gets their medical advice from tv shows? People talk about getting medical advice and self diagnosing on the internet-there also should be talk about getting it from tv shows like the Doctors and Dr. OZ.

I had in pt in the ER who was having on and off headaches (fairly mild ones at that) for the past few months before her visit. She said to me "Dr. Oz says that a headache is never normal, so I had to come to emergency to get it checked out." After the doc saw her, she was being discharged with and Rx. for Tylenol and instructions to f/u with her PCP for further evaluation....i.e., it was not an emergency condition. Well, on discharge she pulled the "but Dr. Oz says...." card again. Dr. Oz needs to tell people that it is better for their long term health to establish a relationship with a PCP and to see them regularly rather than insinuating that people need to have benign conditions checked right away at the ER.

I did not see this show, but feel the need to comment anyway. We could all take better care of ourselves - eat better, exercise, etc. Will it help us feel better? Probably, but speaking from personal experience, when you're so depressed that getting up and taking a shower seems like a Herculean task, going for a workout at the gym is out of the question. What really bothers me about this, however, is that this guy has a lot of followers and a lot of influence as an "expert." I worry about how many people who watched that show may just go cold turkey off their meds and end up in serious withdrawal or having a serious crash.

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
I had in pt in the ER who was having on and off headaches (fairly mild ones at that) for the past few months before her visit. She said to me "Dr. Oz says that a headache is never normal, so I had to come to emergency to get it checked out." After the doc saw her, she was being discharged with and Rx. for Tylenol and instructions to f/u with her PCP for further evaluation....i.e., it was not an emergency condition. Well, on discharge she pulled the "but Dr. Oz says...." card again. Dr. Oz needs to tell people that it is better for their long term health to establish a relationship with a PCP and to see them regularly rather than insinuating that people need to have benign conditions checked right away at the ER.

If I followed that advice I would be in the ER daily.

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