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.

He is a fool

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My opinion on Dr. Oz in general is he is arrogant and dangerous. Doctors should be an expert in their field and leave the other fields to other experts. EmmaZ06 is exactly right, a psychiatrist shouldn't perform heart surgery and a heart surgeon shouldn't comment on mental health.

He's dangerous because people see him on TV and believe every word that comes out of his mouth.

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Specializes in allergy and asthma, urgent care.

I also think he did a tremendous disservice to those with depression and other MH issues. How many people will now be sitting at home, thinking themselves complete failures because diet, exercise, and positive thinking didn't make them feel better? What a charlatan.

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Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

I saw one episode where a woman complained of leg cramps and he told her she might have a DVT, which could end up in her lung and ultimately kill her. Dr Oz is a quack. He advises eating cinnamon or berries to slow down the aging process.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I also think he did a tremendous disservice to those with depression and other MH issues. How many people will now be sitting at home, thinking themselves complete failures because diet, exercise, and positive thinking didn't make them feel better? What a charlatan.

And that's the real tragedy of mass-market medical advisers like Dr. Oz---they prey on the least informed among our population and fill their heads with garbage. (Much like the rest of daytime television). Now how many people are going to stop taking antidepressant meds (assuming they can get them at all) believing that they don't need them, only to wind up in the suicide statistics? And do we believe for a minute that the Great and Powerful Oz will take an ounce of responsibility for them? Makes me angry just thinking about it. :no:

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Specializes in LTC.

Dr Oz is horrible. As a diabetic here is my issue with him: he has created a weight stigma in our community. He refers constantly to diabetes and weight loss but does not differentiate type, or talk about the fact that not all type 2 is weight related, that there are other factors. The only time I have ever seen him feature a type one she was dying in a hospital bed. The problem with what he's doing with diabetes? He's reinforcing a weight stereotype that's lead to dangerous eating disorders among the type one population. He's causing guilt among the type 2 population when they fail his fads. They feel like failures, become reluctant to try other treatment because the diet or herbal fad didn't work so why should the med (after all dr oz is a real dr if he says it it's a real treatment) so why should the next treatment work ect ect.

This is true of the bull he's spouting about antiDs as well. "Well Dr Oz's way did not help at all, why should Zoloft?" This is real thinking that people go through because he's a Dr, and a very irresponsible one at that!

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Now how many people are going to stop taking antidepressant meds (assuming they can get them at all) believing that they don't need them, only to wind up in the suicide statistics?

Or the dangers of quitting antidepressants abruptly? I'm sure their is a disclaimer in the small print on the closing credits that says something to the effect of "always consult you physician before quitting a medicine" (it should read "always consult your physician before taking Dr. Oz's inane advice"). Either way, I'm sure he did not stress the dangers of just stopping meds on your own without proper precautions.

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Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

Dr Oz uses the same tactic that news corporations have been using for years. They say "may," "might," "could," "possibly," to show a pieces of information without accountability. "How one soda could end up killing you. Stay tuned and I'll show you ways that possibly save yourself." Then he talks about perforated gastric ulcers or hyperglycemia. He lays down a fear factor and then gives worst case scenario. But he said "could," so he's covered.

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Dr Oz uses the same tactic that news corporations have been using for years. They say "may," "might," "could," "possibly," to show a pieces of information without accountability. "How one soda could end up killing you. Stay tuned and I'll show you ways that possibly save yourself." Then he talks about perforated gastric ulcers or hyperglycemia. He lays down a fear factor and then gives worst case scenario. But he said "could," so he's covered.

And I could possibly get hit by a car as I cross my street or drive to work. Therefore I should never leave the house. I wonder if my employer will by the "Dr. Oz said I shouldn't drive to work" excuse?

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