I must say that this is also my experience. I have a handful of family members all without an exit strategy, their doctors forever refilling their prescriptions. Anyone witness to such a practice would most certain become cynical of our health care system. I will never forget them all congregated in my mother-in-law’s front room on Christmas Eve exchanging jokes about “Vitamin X”. Can you guess what that is? Apparently Xmas is just way too stressful so they like double-up-to-catch-up. I think they would be much happier if we just packed them in cotton and stored them under their beds. They don’t know how to be happy; they don’t know how to be sad.

On the other hand I have a different family member who actually suffers from real depression. Her doctors are continually searching for the right drug combination just to let her catch her breath. It is very sad to watch and I am concerned for her and her family. The difference between her and the rest of the bunch is not in the slightest comparable.

Be cautious with your doctor’s advice because most of them will not care enough about you to MAKE SURE they give the best advice for you. Your heath or lack thereof does not change their sleep habits. Listen and learn, then do what’s best for you.

Mr. G

SD, this is NOT about my opinion of pharm companies. What I stated was factually based regarding their hiding clinical studies that showed a lack of efficacy. My opinion was not relevant regarding these facts.
Bottom line, I stated what the clinical trials showed...not opinion. I stated that facts were hidden...because they were. I stated that efficacy was exaggerated...because it was.
I haven't once seen you state that what I posted was incorrect regarding these studies...why??? Because you know it to be true.
You are a scientist...refute the claims made based on the evidence.

You make a comment about Pfizer being the #1 philanthropic company in the world.....but you KNOW that is company spin....how so???? Well, one of the major areas of Pfizer's giving is to take drugs which can no longer be sold in this country...due to expiration dates or some other defect and ship them off to third world countries for usage there. That is a fact(have laws changed to disallow this???).
There are other areas of giving...but absent these "dollars" their contributions just do not merit those kinds of accolades.

My opinion regarding AD's is to try everything you can first...I feel this way about all meds...and if you are still not getting anywhere go see a psychiatrist...weigh the risk/benefits and make a decision at that time.

I said that? Or did I cite pharm studies that showed that?



This is an outright lie and you know it. Show me where I said that. You can't because I didn't.

On at least two occasions in this thread, I told him to talk to a MHP and to consider using AD's as a last resort. That is sound advice. I did not say the things you ascribe to me and you darn well know it.



Obviously you have a problem with that anyway...so, why bother.

For anyone who is interested in a perspective from a person really in the know, read Marcia Angell, M.D. book on the pharm industry. She was the editor in chief for the New England Journal of Medicine (the most respected and prestigious journal out there). See if her opinion...from an insiders point of view isn't a 1000 times more scathing than mine. Great, informative reading.

I think we speak from our own personal perspectives based on our life experiences.

Me, I'm THANKFUL for DRUGS and DRUG COMPANIES that kept my grandparents here with me much longer than would have been possible back in the day. I was HAPPY to make sure they got ALL of their medicine daily.

They had a LOVING DOCTOR, a geriatric specialist, who really cared about them and ME. I could call his cell when necessary. He helped me make many difficult decisions regarding their medical care. He CRIED at both of their deaths at age 91.

ETA: Funny though, my grandmother REFUSED to take an antidepressant...LOL...

I have really needed my ADs in the past.

My family functions much better when we are all on our ADD/ADHD medication.

Oh, yes, they can make a difference.