3 ms·

So if I follow you here, Wikipedia is relatively accurate, correct? Then in your opinion, why are these medications so widely spread? Lack of alternative?

• toast0 3y ago
  People with a problem want a solution to their problem. Even if it's a placebo effect, or reversion to mean, or whatever, having done something and seeing results is empowering. Most of these drugs have some effect on the person, whether or not it's what was intended or if it's helpful, is another story, but you can take the drug, see that it's doing something, and be hopeful that it's doing the right thing. Other options like talk therapy are labor intensive, inconsistent, and has limited availability. Finding a pill that works for you can also be labor intensive if you have to try a lot of them and titrate the dosage, but if you can, then it's relatively simple to take it on the schedule, and have infrequent follow up visits; doctors who prescribe these drugs also have limited availability, although some primary care doctors will prescribe some of the ones considered to be safer.
  • sirobg 3y ago
    You definitely got a point. I think this shows that the problem is mainly that we don't have a good solution to treat anxiety/depression and so on, yet. It is basically the conclusion of the NYT article shared above. Here is the paywall free link: https://archive.ph/mNKCH https://archive.ph/mNKCH > If one thing is clear, it’s that we need more careful research on how best to help the more than 16 million Americans who currently suffer from depression
• richardjam73 3y ago
  Some alternatives are often illegal in many jurisdictions and also are new and don't have as much research behind them. Psilocybin, Ketamine etc. Some alternatives are greatly intrusive such as ECT. Therapists are often expensive and there are not enough of them. Some alternatives are just new and it takes time to roll them out. For example TMS. There are also other new non SSRI drugs as well.