Originally Posted by
lostandalone3
Yes it is good to have therapy and to talk about issues that drugs wouldn't contend with but the medication is fixing a chemical imbalance in my brain. Thoughts are just another chemical reaction and i need the medication to help alter that chemical reaction occurring in my body.
That is the orthodox perspective. It addresses only the physical factors present in
psychiatric illness.
The terms "dementia praecox" and "schizophrenia" are of relatively recent origin when one takes the larger view. Throughout the ages, peoples of all cultures have recognized insanity. It is the interpretation of the various forms of psychosis which sets the modern viewpoint apart as distinctive.
To appreciate this distinctiveness, we must take into consideration the world view (and even the cosmic view or cosmology) of other cultures, both ancient and modern. At the crux of this distinction lies our beliefs about the origin of our species, the nature of reality, and the meaning of life. In other words, what constitutes reality?
Modern medical science (including psychiatry) is derived from and based upon a materialistic view of reality. That which is real is physical, or at least can be measured in a physical manner. From a materialistic viewpoint, reality is substantial.
This is no small point when we are determining someone's sanity. In fact, the clinical assessment procedures used to determine sanity are heavily weighted toward a materialistic interpretation of reality. As has been noted, to be "out of touch" with material reality is by psychiatric definition, to be psychotic.
Originally Posted by lostandalone3
I never really believed in the whole issue that my illness was physiological and i never held drugs in a very high regard. This was until i had ECT, yes its an intervention but it doesn't involve any drugs as such. And do you know what after both courses of ECT i felt like me again.. so now i do believe maybe my illness is in part related to my serotonin, dopamine, neurotonin levels!!!!!
& that is all well & good. I have never said that orthodox treatments do not have the potential to help people. In a number of cases they are the only thing which will help. I have come across people for whom brain surgery & namely frontal lobotomy; they have credited with returning them to a better quality of life. The question however is - does the fact these treatments help some people; justification for their widespread use for all; at the exclusion of other therapies?
Originally Posted by lostandalone3
I know you say you were forced meds, i was too but had i not been forced meds then i would have ended up seriously hurting myself.
I accept that yes you have an alternative viewpoint then myslef, i prefer stuff which can be backed up with scientific evidence or research, so if you can find any than i would be very happy to read. I guess apart of me and my university education and chosen profession seems to rely heavily on the bio medical model so i am a little more suspect when people clain alternative therapies work.
I am also suspect. Where is there the proof of the Bio Chemical model!? In over 10 years of intensive research I have yet to find it. The chemical imbalance theory is just that - a theory; a hypothesis. It has never been categorically proved. Anything beyond anecdotal evidence is severely lacking from the present orthodox paradigm for
cause of mental illness - they do not know the causes. Of course there is a Bio Chemical element to mental illness; I don't deny it; someone in a psychosis is experiencing an altered state & has altered brain chemistry. If I experience fear - then adrenalin is released; my heart speeds up etc - those bio chemical reactions are not a cause of the fear - the fear has caused those physical reactions - the physical reactions are as a result of other stimuli. I don't see the difference with brain chemistry in psychosis. Simply not enough is known about about the workings of the mind in relation to environment; to know exactly what is going on. There is
no proof that chemical imbalance is a
cause of mental illness - period.
Of all the studies done - & the only actual proof as to cause - is the link to environmental factors in relation to higher incidence of
mental illness. Mental illness is far more prevalent in certain groups experiencing poverty; family break up, high stress & abuse; addiction issues etc. Look at the subject of mental illness within the
armed services - people; under the
right psychological conditions can be driven mad.
The orthodox paradigm sets as its measuring post that mental illness is a "genetic predisposition leading to a chemical imbalance" - something which there is no more evidence for than saying it's "invisible blob men"; that are the cause.
Consider this -
What Do We Really Know About How Our Brains Work?
Consider this extraordinary reality. The human brain has more individual cells (neurons) than there are stars in the sky. Billions! And each neuron may have 10,000 or more connections (synapses) to other brain cells, creating a network with trillions of interconnections. In fact, the brain is considered to be the most complex organ in the entire universe. With it's billions of neurons & trillions of synapses, it is more complex than the entire physical universe of planets, stars & galaxies.
Scientists have well-developed ideas about how the physical universe works. They posses mathematical formulae for describing the various forces that control the relationships among physical entities from black holes to subatomic particles. All these forces also affect the human brain. However, the living processes of the brain add complexities unknown in the physical universe. Those trillions of interconnections between brain cells, for example, are mediated by hundreds of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), as well as by hormones, proteins, tiny ions such as sodium & potassium, & other substances. We have limited knowledge about how a few of these chemical messengers work, but little or no idea as to how they combine to produce brain function.
Quoted from "Your Drug May be Your Problem" by Peter R. Breggin
Originally Posted by lostandalone3
I don't think you can really say that you believe that you can overcome a mental illness without pharmaceutical intervention
Did you check out the links I posted in the OP?
I know people in my real life; people on-line; & have read of numerous personal stories; & am aware of many people to have recovered fully entirely med free from even the most severe of mental illness. Of course mental illness can be overcome without pharmaceutical intervention. That isn't to say everyone can - But many have the very real potential to do so. How am I any different in that?
The works & life conclusions of Carl Jung; John Weir Perry; Loren Mosher; & Daniel Dorman - To name some - these are all Real Doctors - people who have genuinely helped & cured their patients from even the most severe of mental illness. It isn't made up. This is all well documented.
The views of Mental Illness that have made most sense to me & which have had the greatest therapeutic impact on the lives of "sufferers" - are those paradigms which take in a more complete view of the whole person & their whole being; understandings which are more holistic; & which see "psychosis" & other "mental illness" - far more in terms of a natural healing mechanism - psychological processes which can be worked through & have the potential of integration & resolution; leading to a greater sense of well-being & self. This perspective has been practically proved in numerous studies. - It does appear that the factual studies which have been undertaken & very well documented - especially in the case of
John Weir Perry - Shows that people can & do recover if given half a chance. Why are these clinical & scientific studies so flatly ignored & often denied by the orthodox?
"...85% of our clients (all diagnosed as severely schizophrenic) at the Diabasis center not only improved, with no medications, but most went on growing after leaving us."
- John Weir Perry
What paradigm is better? An unproven theory saying you will never recover because you are suffering an organic brain disease brought about by your genetics - & you can do nothing about it except take tablets.
Or - That you are in all likelihood experiencing a natural healing crisis - or a mechanism of the mind - which if approached in a caring, therapeutic & holistic way can lead to a full & lasting recovery; in the majority of cases (backed up by numerous real world studies). Not least; this was the life long conclusion to the work of Carl Jung - that even the most severe sufferer of "mental illness" could be completely cured by purely psychological means.
I'll go with possibly the greatest mind of the last century on this.
I do understand where you are coming from. I accept that given my present circumstances I need to take a low dose of one med; at the moment. This situation however has far more to do, IMO; with having being made dependant on this med; & never offered comprehensive alternatives. I have never had the opportunity for a med free recovery. There is a slim possibility that maybe, had I been given thorough assistance in my life & med free alternatives; that still the best course of action may have been meds. But, in a humane society I would have been given the opportunity of alternatives. I am very hopeful that I will one day successfully get med free.
Had I listened to doctors & taken their advice - I would still be on 1200mg amisulpride; I would also be on anti depressants; & sleeping tablets - at the minimum. As it stands I am only on 175 mg Amisulpride. I have actively & forcefully refused meds in the past. & thank God I have.
I don't argue that the Orthodox paradigm doesn't have a place; But it is a limited perspective. The Bio chemical model is very narrow; as is akin to seeing only one side of a octakaidecagon.
We need a balance.
BTW - I have undertaken over 6 years of higher eduction since leaving school - & have conducted extensive research into this subject; from both sides of the fence - the orthodox & the
alternative. It is OK to disagree & I hope you also do not take offence at anything I have written. It is my genuine opinion.
Mental Illness has, IMO multiple & complex influential factors & cause. I have found the majority of people are largely satisfied with the orthodox perspective; & maybe this situation, this orthodox paradigm is best for most people & what they need. Not what would best help - but what satisfies people. I have always strongly opposed & disagreed with the general orthodox understanding on
mental illness & I always will.