Mind over matter

Study finds that psychiatrists have moved away from psychotherapy techniques in favor of drug therapy to treat mental and emotional disorders.

It’s not just mainstream physicians who have grown attached to their ever-present prescription pads. These days, psychiatrists are just as quick to fork over a prescription for a drug without taking the time to uncover the underlying cause of their patients’ problems.

In fact, according to a recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, the majority of visits made to psychiatrists for the past 10 years have been strictly “medication management” appointments. After analyzing data from surveys of office visits to psychiatrists, the researchers found that only 29 percent of those visits in 2004 and 2005 involved any type of psychotherapy at all.

It’s a disheartening statistic on many levels. But what bothers me most about it is that it indicates an attitude shift — for the worse — in psychiatrists, who have always typically gone into the field based on a fascination with the human mind and a great desire to work with people in an effort to learn more about it and to help them manage any imbalances they might be struggling with.

Unfortunately, it looks like those days are over, and the once-noble field of psychiatry has been infiltrated by the same temptations that have led mainstream medicine astray: a plethora of drugs that make psychiatrists’ jobs “easier,” not to mention financial incentives from insurance companies for shorter office visits.

Of course, psychotherapy is still available, but in most cases, people must see a separate psychologist or social worker for counseling. So, in a sense, psychiatrists have become little more than a new breed of pill pushers — one that may very well be prime target for extinction.

You see, between counseling from social workers or psychologists and natural alternatives to alleviate anxiety, depression, and other emotional and mental imbalances, there’s really no need for most — if not all — of the drugs psychiatrists dispense. And that means there may be no need for psychiatrists either. I don’t know about you, but this is one endangered species I certainly won’t go out of my way to protect.

To learn more about Dr. Wright’s suggestions for natural alternatives to boost your mood, relieve anxiety, and more, you can search the Nutrition & Healing Archives by visiting www.wrightnewsletter.com and logging on with the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent issue.

Source:
“Move over Freud: Psychiatrists embrace pill power,” Reuters Health News, 8/4/08