This is an EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT piece from Therese Borchard at BeliefNet about taking medication for mental illness and all those arguing against it. I think this is a MUST read. She writes about James Gordon, author of "Unstuck," who talks about how drugs aren't necessary to treat depression in an interview with Newsweek.
"I have no doubt Gordon's techniques work for those struggling with mild and moderate depression. My doctor confirmed that. Alternative therapies are wonderful for folks with uncomplicated mood disorders. Maybe I wouldn't need meds if I was in that camp.
But I'm not. What I have is serious, and even Gordon didn't sound all that convincing when Newsweek's Anne Underwood asked him, 'And for severe depression?'
His response: 'That's harder to work with. That's where we need studies.'"
Thanks Therese. Right on girl. I hate how judgmental people are about medication. What I know is that it worked for me. Let me repeat: It. Worked. For. Me. I know lots of people for whom it works. There are others who don't need it. That's fine. Stop judging, world. Just stop it.
P.S. Here's Dr. John Grohol from Psych Central's response to Therese's piece
Click here for more discussion on the topic of taking medication for postpartum depression.
Wow, Katherine- thanks so much for posting this article. It reminds us all that our best hope is to encourage mothers and their families. The article resounds with fragility. The fragile nature of "guarded recovery" and the hopeful balancing act so many people are playing while trying to be good mothers, spouses and friends; or just to survive.
The comments at the end of Ms. Borchard's article are absolutely heart-wrenching.
Just like there are those who prefer meds and are so thankful to have found them, there are those who would not consider taking them unless absolutely necessary. There are people who will be "saved" just by attending a support group one time and those who need weeks of hospitalization and strong medical therapy for life.
It takes all kinds of people to reach all kinds of people. It will take all kinds of treatment to reach the various types of people who suffer PPMDs. I hope those offering alternative information realize they need to tread lightly.
I also hope those still suffering realize the intention of information that conflicts with their own approach. While suffering, any one of us can take things badly and read more into it than what is there. (Keep in mind, I did NOT read Unstuck and do not know what tone it struck.)
Thank God we all have the option of living in forgiveness, toward ourselves and toward others.
The intensity of this article tells us, "Support me, encourage me; but don't ever criticize me."
Whatever methods one chooses, they need validation. The sheer volume of raw nerves evident in the article and it's comments illustrate this wonderfully.
I agree with your post. But it is important to acknowledge that some people take meds and find they don't help or have intolerable side effects. Or they have to try many different meds before finding the one that genuinely helps. It is important to work with a skilled psychiatrist and not rely on prescriptions from your regular family doctor.