Community Examines Appropriateness of Psychiatry in Modern Times
March 19th, 2010
A GoodTherapy.org News Summary
The ample medication of people experiencing symptoms of a wide variety of psychological concerns has been heavily criticized in recent years, with many professionals working to push for greater attention to psychotherapy rather than pharmaceuticals. Amidst concerns over such medications and over the psychiatric profession as a whole, some within the community have taken to questioning the validity of psychiatry as a science, wondering if it may in fact be more of an art. In either case, many community members agree that while pharmaceuticals may be capable of helping to improve or even save the lives of many, there are also considerable issues surfacing within the field that must be addressed in order for the art –or the science– to move forward.
One of the greatest concerns brought to the fore in recent discussions about psychiatry has focused on whether rising rates of depression and anxiety are a logical result of a world that has grown increasingly complex, and, in some ways, more stressful. Proponents of the idea suggest that more widespread depictions of violence, increased distance between families, changing forms of social interaction, and other important lifestyle and environmental factors may be largely responsible for the presence of depression, anxiety, and other common concerns in the lives of modern people. As a result, they question the rationality of medicating such symptoms, arguing that doing so without promoting the resolution of these issues may lead to a population less able or willing to face its most important social concerns.
Of course, there are others who posit that the pursuit of easing unnecessary mental and emotional suffering is necessarily relevant and good, and that psychiatry has been and will continue to be a major contribution to the well-being of scores of people. Through continuing the debate, mental health community members and concerned professionals are bound to help enhance their understanding of the meaning and the utility of psychiatry.
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Comments
There is no doubt that the world,with its ever-increasing speed,is experiencing more and more problems.Simple things like spending quality time with family and regular family outings can help people avoid a lot of stress and tension.
Well ok here’s a question- are there really more cases of depression now than there used to be or is it just that we have a better understanding of the issue and are more apt to make the diagnosis than once was that case? Food for thought.
psychiatry is a much better treatment method than that of using pharmaceuticals,atleast according to me.you see,there is no chance of a side effect and also research has proved that constant use of meds is not very good for the body.
everyday we hear of newer side effects of prescription drugs that we use without giving even a little thought.this has to change and we should try to use psychiatry in place of pharmaceuticals as much as possible.
There is something good to be said for the use of psychiatry in society as well as the responsible use of medications to aid in that treatment. I think that there is some overmedicating in the field but for the most part I think that when the two are used together then there can be some really good results. It is just a proven fact that some people need something more than someone to talk to- they need the extra help that the medications can provide. Why would anyone want to deny them that help?
It’s still appropriate, it’s still relevant, and the use of drugs should never completely take it’s place.
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