Posted by Tabitha on February 20, 2016, at 12:51:25
In reply to Lou's response-so you think that lithium will » Tabitha, posted by Lou Pilder on February 20, 2016, at 7:47:02
> http://joannamoncrieff.com/2015/07/27/lithium-and-suicide-what-does-the-evidence-show
Lou, thanks for the link, it's an interesting site. However I disagree with her argument. I think she has created a strawman when she says "I realised that embedded in our understanding of what drugs like antipsychotics and antidepressants do was an assumption that had not been examined. This assumption is the idea that the drugs work by reversing a hypothetical abnormality or chemical imbalance, "
I recall that simplistic view being promoted back when SSRI's were new, but only in dumbed-down consumer-targetted marketing. I don't hear that claim any more. In fact drug information states clearly that the cause of depression is unknown and the mechanism of action of the drugs is not well understood.
I did not read Dr Moncreiffs entire site, but from what I see, she is not addressing the fact that conditions like bipolar create enormous suffering and loss of productivity. Medications, when they work, relieve that suffering and enable people to lead productive lives. I understand that they also create adverse side effects, but that's the case for lots of medical interventions. Someday I hope for better treatments, but I am willing to use what we have today. I have no illusion that medication is fixing my brain.
As for lithium and suicide, I will take my doctor's word over hers, as she seems to be playing the part of a contrarian crank. I suspect there's quite a lot of cherry-picking involved.
poster:Tabitha
thread:1086267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20160131/msgs/1086330.html