Does psychiatry create a cult like mentality?

jaus tail wrote:Even my breakdown was due to trauma. I often think had I cried to a friend n stayed at his place for a few days I wouldn't need the doctor.

At times it's normal to be depressed n feel sorrow.

I agree. Sometimes all we need is to be heard, to be understood and not judged.

Hello, I am new here and just read the rules and regs for posting. I understand why they are so limiting but, really, I feel like I have to say something with ideological handcuffs on before I even begin.

The fact that this forum would have such limiting conditions to free speech speaks volumes: Yes, psychiatry can be cult-like and, moreover, a cult with legal power. I actually think it is more like a medieval religion. Just as the Church could really do real harm to people in the Middle ages, so can psychiatry now. Also, just as the Church could also help people in the Middle Ages, so can psychiatry now.

As for medical doctors and psychiatrists, sometimes I get the impression that they are very smart at memorizing the latest textbooks yet not so smart when it comes to seeing the big picture. By big picture I am talking about sociological, philosophical and religious issues. Try to debate with some - not all - doctors and psychiatrists and you get that blank look, that fake neutral-understanding tone, all the while they're scribbling down God-knows-what in their notebook.

I was impressed by this thread. Please don't take my writing style as my not being serious. I don't always write in the hegemonic "be calm and neutral" way that is in vogue. I do care and I am serious. I'm also open to these statements being wrong, partially wrong and/or incomplete. Can psychiatrists say the same about their worldview? Some can. Others...

msea wrote:Hello, I am new here and just read the rules and regs for posting. I understand why they are so limiting but, really, I feel like I have to say something with ideological handcuffs on before I even begin.

The fact that this forum would have such limiting conditions to free speech speaks volumes: Yes, psychiatry can be cult-like and, moreover, a cult with legal power. I actually think it is more like a medieval religion. Just as the Church could really do real harm to people in the Middle ages, so can psychiatry now. Also, just as the Church could also help people in the Middle Ages, so can psychiatry now.

As for medical doctors and psychiatrists, sometimes I get the impression that they are very smart at memorizing the latest textbooks yet not so smart when it comes to seeing the big picture. By big picture I am talking about sociological, philosophical and religious issues. Try to debate with some - not all - doctors and psychiatrists and you get that blank look, that fake neutral-understanding tone, all the while they're scribbling down God-knows-what in their notebook.

I was impressed by this thread. Please don't take my writing style as my not being serious. I don't always write in the hegemonic "be calm and neutral" way that is in vogue. I do care and I am serious. I'm also open to these statements being wrong, partially wrong and/or incomplete. Can psychiatrists say the same about their worldview? Some can. Others...

I agree. IMO some forum rules are necessary (such as treating others with respect, ect) however I have been on other sites where both written and unwritten rules existed which compelled you to preach psychiatry word for word in a positive light. Anyone that questioned psychiatry, brought up legit concerns, even questioning your own treatment/condition resulted you in getting booted (banned). Not only did the mods hold this stance but so did members. The environment was pure social engineering.

What I like about this site is that it has a dedicated anti-psychiatry section letting users voice critical opinions of psychiatry without being silenced. If anything the Anti-Psych has shown that many others members feel the same way on various issues.

Riccola, maybe you can answer a big question I have about psychiatry. Before I ask, lets first put psychiatry in historical context. Given how barbarically people with mental health problems have tended to be treated in the past, such as by performing lobotomies and electrical shock therapy, today's psychiatry is probably the best equipped human kind has ever been for working with mental health successfully.

Secondly, as you know, today's psychiatry is also only a fraction of what therapy is capable of doing, such as by welcoming criticism rather than demonizing it. You're rightfully criticizing a field which currently still has numerous problems and limitations. Additionally, you're also criticizing a large group of people who, as a whole, are currently attempting to address mental health better than any large group has in the history of mankind.

Ultimately, I'm not sure how to balance my own grievances and admiration for psychiatry. Should the focus on on psychiatry be negative? Psychiatry can certainly do much better. Should it be positive? Today's use of psychiatry is doing so much more for mental health than others have before. Some anti-psych is needed but when does this criticism start being unfair to make?

sunshineNrainbows wrote:Riccola, maybe you can answer a big question I have about psychiatry. Before I ask, lets first put psychiatry in historical context. Given how barbarically people with mental health problems have tended to be treated in the past, such as by performing lobotomies and electrical shock therapy, today's psychiatry is probably the best equipped human kind has ever been for working with mental health successfully.

Psychiatry has improved tremendously by leaps and bounds worlds over- along with laws and rights regarding consent- however IMHO it still has a long way to go.

Secondly, as you know, today's psychiatry is also only a fraction of what therapy is capable of doing, such as by welcoming criticism rather than demonizing it. You're rightfully criticizing a field which currently still has numerous problems and limitations. Additionally, you're also criticizing a large group of people who, as a whole, are currently attempting to address mental health better than any large group has in the history of mankind.

I can assure you this is not my intention. I have nothing against people who are working to better and reform psychiatry, nor do I have anything against those who have been helped by psychiatry.

Ultimately, I'm not sure how to balance my own grievances and admiration for psychiatry. Should the focus on on psychiatry be negative? Psychiatry can certainly do much better. Should it be positive? Today's use of psychiatry is doing so much more for mental health than others have before. Some anti-psych is needed but when does this criticism start being unfair to make?

Well, I'd personally focus on the positive, and where psychiatry has ultimately helped you. Focus on healing and moving forward. Do what works for you. If something is-or has helped you-certainly do not reject it. Now, if you have any grievances, it never hurts to share them. Express them in a constructive manner and avoid dwelling or obsessing over them. Personally I think it starts to be unfair when others are punished; have treatments that work for them taken away from them; or having any particular dogma forced upon them. Ie, I personally believe that psychotropics should not be outlawed, just that people have the right to informed consent with the right to reject them.


However, there are those who have not been helped by psychiatry. There are still others who have been traumatized by psychiatry or even feel raped by it. In those cases being able to talk about it in a safe haven is a huge relief and helps with letting go of that trauma. Much like those traumatized by other situations. Being able to vent and share experiences with one another is very therapeutic helping those move forward. Getting the word out while fighting to improve broken parts of the system so others do not go through the same is the goal of many psychiatric survivors and the goal of most wanting to reform or improve psychiatry.



I hope I have answered your question.

jaus tail wrote:Even my breakdown was due to trauma. I often think had I cried to a friend n stayed at his place for a few days I wouldn't need the doctor.

At times it's normal to be depressed n feel sorrow.

** Pls note - I didn't read any previous posts by you, so these comments are rather general **

Yes, another factor to consider is wealth vs poverty. I think in come cases the wealthy have a buffer that keeps them out of the system. instead of spending time in a psyche ward, the afflicted goes to a country home to chill out. Maybe the parents set them up financially so they don't have to worry about money. But not everyone has that.

Sure the wealthy have their own stressors to deal with. I'm not that naive. But a constant, gnawing worry about economics can drive some over the edge... or close to it.

Riccola wrote: I agree. IMO some forum rules are necessary (such as treating others with respect, ect) however I have been on other sites where both written and unwritten rules existed which compelled you to preach psychiatry word for word in a positive light. Anyone that questioned psychiatry, brought up legit concerns, even questioning your own treatment/condition resulted you in getting booted (banned). Not only did the mods hold this stance but so did members. The environment was pure social engineering.

What I like about this site is that it has a dedicated anti-psychiatry section letting users voice critical opinions of psychiatry without being silenced. If anything the Anti-Psych has shown that many others members feel the same way on various issues.

Thanks very much for posting my first comment. I should let you know that the night before signing up here had been fairly stressful, and the next morning when writing I was still settling down. The fact that I could be somewhat anonymous here I think gave me a chance to let off a bit of steam that I usually don't let off. I have a respected blog and always try to be as fair and careful as possible. But again, with the cloak of anonymity, I was just letting out my 'rock and roll' side, as it were.

So yes, I agree about the forum rules. I looked over them again and they seem reasonable. I am not unilaterally anti-meds but I do suggest every now and then that some whom I actually know might do better without their meds, now or some time in the future. But that is only when I know them well, am talking with them in person, and feel it my duty to suggest alternatives.

So, speaking generally and not to any specific person here:

The psych. profession imo tends to downplay the long term side-effects of some drugs. And some doctors just put people on pills and leave them that way for years. I think this is inexcusable. Like any profession, there are quality doctors and, sadly, less competent doctors.

Cheers. Glad to be here.

Thanks very much for posting my first comment. I should let you know that the night before signing up here had been fairly stressful, and the next morning when writing I was still settling down. The fact that I could be somewhat anonymous here I think gave me a chance to let off a bit of steam that I usually don't let off. I have a respected blog and always try to be as fair and careful as possible. But again, with the cloak of anonymity, I was just letting out my 'rock and roll' side, as it were.

Welcome and thank you for posting No worries either about being stressed, happens to me all the time.

I do agree, sometime people are weighted down by having something attached to them, especially when others can judge them.

So yes, I agree about the forum rules. I looked over them again and they seem reasonable. I am not unilaterally anti-meds but I do suggest every now and then that some whom I actually know might do better without their meds, now or some time in the future. But that is only when I know them well, am talking with them in person, and feel it my duty to suggest alternatives.

I wish doctors would inform others about alternatives, or that medication is not a fix all for all MH issues, but sadly it seems that meds is about all they can dish out.

So, speaking generally and not to any specific person here:

The psych. profession imo tends to downplay the long term side-effects of some drugs. And some doctors just put people on pills and leave them that way for years. I think this is inexcusable. Like any profession, there are quality doctors and, sadly, less competent doctors.

Cheers. Glad to be here.

I hold the same opinion. Some of these meds can and do have horrible side effects but they are downplayed in every manner. Even blamed on the illness itself as being neuro-degenrative.

Glad you like it here btw

Riccola wrote:
I wish doctors would inform others about alternatives, or that medication is not a fix all for all MH issues, but sadly it seems that meds is about all they can dish out.

yep. i wish they'd recommend exercise or healthy food or talking to a friend instead of medicines. but they know that most patients wouldnt exercise regularly, while medicines are quick to consume.

jaus tail wrote:

Riccola wrote:
I wish doctors would inform others about alternatives, or that medication is not a fix all for all MH issues, but sadly it seems that meds is about all they can dish out.

yep. i wish they'd recommend exercise or healthy food or talking to a friend instead of medicines. but they know that most patients wouldnt exercise regularly, while medicines are quick to consume.

I recently heard of an interesting situation where a patient felt their antidepressants were not working, and wanted a higher dose. The doctor knew that this particular antidepressant worked best with proper nutrition. Without eating right, the necessary chemical conditions for the antidepressant to be effective were not present. After the patient began to eat right, s/he reported that the antidepressant had the desired affect, without having to increase the dosage.

This is a sort of middle-of-the-road view, I guess. Myself, I also question whether some people could do better without anti-depressants if they only had different beliefs and routines. Imo it's one of those, "you have to get there" issues. I was sorrowful/depressed as a young teen and tried an antidepressant. All it did was give me a dry mouth. For that, the doctor gave me a little bottle of gooey stuff to rinse with! Taking that at high school, in the washroom with nobody looking, made me feel even more alienated from my peers. I told the doctor and the meds (and the gooey stuff) were immediately discontinued. My depression lifted when I got a gf, became more social and entered into a sex life.

That may not be my solution today. But the point is, we should try to change our life patterns if they're not working well.

-- Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:27 pm --

Riccola wrote:

Thanks very much for posting my first comment. I should let you know that the night before signing up here had been fairly stressful, and the next morning when writing I was still settling down. The fact that I could be somewhat anonymous here I think gave me a chance to let off a bit of steam that I usually don't let off. I have a respected blog and always try to be as fair and careful as possible. But again, with the cloak of anonymity, I was just letting out my 'rock and roll' side, as it were.

Welcome and thank you for posting No worries either about being stressed, happens to me all the time.

I do agree, sometime people are weighted down by having something attached to them, especially when others can judge them.

So yes, I agree about the forum rules. I looked over them again and they seem reasonable. I am not unilaterally anti-meds but I do suggest every now and then that some whom I actually know might do better without their meds, now or some time in the future. But that is only when I know them well, am talking with them in person, and feel it my duty to suggest alternatives.

I wish doctors would inform others about alternatives, or that medication is not a fix all for all MH issues, but sadly it seems that meds is about all they can dish out.

So, speaking generally and not to any specific person here:

The psych. profession imo tends to downplay the long term side-effects of some drugs. And some doctors just put people on pills and leave them that way for years. I think this is inexcusable. Like any profession, there are quality doctors and, sadly, less competent doctors.

Cheers. Glad to be here.

I hold the same opinion. Some of these meds can and do have horrible side effects but they are downplayed in every manner. Even blamed on the illness itself as being neuro-degenrative.

Glad you like it here btw

Thank you for your understanding. Appreciated! I think I'm going to enjoy "coming out" here in private/public!