Depression A Cry For Help-Part 4

Relying on antidepressants to solve depression is at best a temporary and imprecise solution says "Deepak Chopra". Traditional approaches to treating depression in contemporary America is not working but the therapists and doctors continue to use therapies and drugs, and the problems continue to climb. Antidepressants in the last two decades have increased 800 percent yet many of the doctors and therapists believe that the traditional approach to treatment is the correct path.

The pharmaceutical companies continue to claim that psychotherapy and antidepressants is the way to solve our society's mental health emerging crisis. Their bottom line and profits continue to increase while the clinically depressed crisis continues to increase. It would appear to me if their approach was working there would be a decrease in the need for pharmaceutical drugs. The question that many people in the country is asking do the pharmaceutical companies really want the people to get better or continue to stay sick?

When I had my depression episode the initial response from my doctor was to put me on an antidepressant drug. There was no discussion or alternative treatment suggested and I was given no other choices. I had no idea what the side affects of the drug I was using, and I didn't know the name of the drug. It is my belief that recovery is a collaborative partnership and the therapist, the doctor, the caregiver, and the patient is a team committed to the health of the individual.

Eventually I decided after taking the drug for three months that I no longer needed the drug. I realized that my spiritual and mental health was determined by my inner awareness of self. I began to understand that my happiness was not determined by a drug, but my contentment was determined by my connectedness with God and my family. My belief and the determination of my will directed my success coupled with work and exercise. When I told the doctor I no longer needed the drug, eventually the doctor agreed with my decision.

Depression cannot be healed by using antidepressants alone. Antidepressants are helpful many times as a temporary treatment to help restore the chemical imbalance in the body and mind. Initially it is necessary to relieve the initial trigger of a traumatic episode in a persons life. The depression episode is only a result and not the fundamental cause of the problem. The result of the problem is projected many times with the use of drugs, alcohol, sex, and anger. There is a need for new empowering approaches to treatment that treat the whole person. Is living in the big city the reason for our emerging depression crisis?
Roger