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It's not called for-profit health care for no reason

I've been told on occasion by a doctor friend of mine, after one of my posts about how poorly or depressed I'm feeling, that I should take an anti-depressant. As most of you [should] know, I have always staunchly refused to do so, but not because I didn't think they worked. It's because I felt it wasn't necessary, could do more harm than good, and I could deal with such feelings better without them.

And after watching last nights 60 Minutes, I feel vindicated in my approach. There now appears to be some evidence not only supporting my belief, but also casting doubts on the efficacy of anti-depressant drugs.

But why this should come as a surprise to anyone is beyond me.

I have constantly been preaching on the ineffectiveness of vitamins and supplements, and how you can't boost your immune system. I've always believed it is simply a scam perpetrated by the vitamin and supplement industry to separate you from your hard earned money. Everything you need to maintain proper health and nutrition is available in it's natural state.

So why should drugs be any different?

In a 'for-profit' health care system, with so much money involved, and so much time to bring new drugs to market, there will always be the incentive to skew results in the pharmaceutical industry's favor, highlighting the good results, and sweeping the bad results under the carpet.

So it's not surprising the pharmaceutical industry is fighting tooth and nail to dispel the [compelling] research of Dr. Kirsch, after all this is an $11.3 billion industry, and could put a serious crimp in the profits of the pharmaceutical industry. But regardless of the final outcome, this should be a wake up call, and a learning lesson to everyone.

BE SKEPTICAL OF EVERYTHING! (And not just in the health care arena.) Don't be fooled by special interests, who appear authentic and concerned, but are truly only looking out for their best interests, and their bottom lines.
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Kim said…
I took an antidepressant once to quit smoking. It was called Zyban and it was awful for me. My doctor said it was because I wasn't depressed but I thought it made me stupid. I hated it. I've never taken one since. I will however, take a Xanax if I feel stressed. I'm not anti-pill, just anti-antidepressant (for me) and anti-antibiotic (for my kids). I can only think of one time per child when they NEEDED an antibiotic in 22 years, so I just took the prescription and threw it away when I got home. It wasn't worth arguing with the doctor about.
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