Anti-Depressants and the "Quick-Fix"

[angelicaparki]

From my experience of working in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, I have noticed that often times people come in for suicidal attempts and major depression. An observation I have made is that a patient states they are suicidal/depressed and health care providers reply with, "let me get your medicine." To me it seems like the health care industry promotes the "happy-pill" as the cure-all, and when these psych patients leave treatment they relapse right back into the same pattern of suicidality and depression.

Therapeutic communication is left by the wayside, and our patients are not getting the solutions they need. To me it seems as if when the pill doesn't seem to be working anymore, another suicide attempt/success occurs. Should it be considered mal-practice to promote and instill in these patients that they need a "med-adjustment," when what they are looking for is answers to real life-controlling issues. Does everything have to be a psychiatric "biological" problem? Do you think it is unsafe practice to prescribe/administer anti-depressants, when an equal amount of counseling is not being provided? What are your thoughts on this issue?

[mattsmom81]

This is a sad topic for me as I have had friends and family commit suicide, and many young OD's i see in my ICU were REALLY attempting suicide. Too often the appropriate combination therapy has gone by the wayside. Meds alone can be a godsend to some...but most depressives need therapy and understanding, supportive networks of caring human beings. Not just 'better living through chemistry'...which is what the pharmaceutical companies push today. All the ads we see on TV and in magazines push this 'pop a pill' mentality which is so short sighted, IMHO. Our lifestyles today with the too often disjointed family structures and lack of personal connections to 2 loving caring parents have left our children to cope with life in ways my generation cannot begin to comprehend. I see such sad things in young people today it breaks my heart some days. Wish I knew the whole solution...but I DO know it won't be an easy fix.

[Dixiedi]

The really sad thing it's not JUST in psych!

Docs are prescribing "happy pills" to anybody. Is it to shut them up because they don't take the pts complaint seriously or is it because they don't have time to completely understand the pts complaint?

I'd really like to know.

[leslie :-D]

The really sad thing it's not JUST in psych!

Docs are prescribing "happy pills" to anybody. Is it to shut them up because they don't take the pts complaint seriously or is it because they don't have time to completely understand the pts complaint?

I'd really like to know.

it is my understanding that some of the mds are getting a kickback when prescribing certain drugs (from the pharmaceutical companies), especially the newer ones. that's just one of the reasons.

but antidepressants should correct the chemical etiology and therapy would complete the exogenous etiology. now i'm wondering if mds still get incentives, the less they refer to other specialists.....

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

Ahhh the American Dream

Over Medication

Dont talk about it, Medicate it

Dont analyze it, Medicate it

Dont think about it, Medicate it

dont treat it, Medicate it

from one who is old enough to remember when Psychiatrists actually tried to help their patients rather than just push pills like they do now.