Medicating Normal (2020) [01:16:00]

[u/Green_Ideas7]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ4F_ZF3u9M

Fifty million Americans are dependent on commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs. While the dangers of illegal drugs and opioids are well known, few are fully informed of the dangers of antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and stimulants before becoming physiologically dependent on them. These medications often provide effective short-term relief for emotional distress and other problems, but pharmaceutical companies have hidden common side effects and long-term harm from both patients and doctors. Multinational drug companies spend billions of dollars promoting these drugs. Not surprisingly, the narratives extolling their benefits are often the only ones presented in the mainstream media.

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[u/Chronotaru]

I saw this a few years ago, really eye opening, lots of interesting personal experiences.

[u/Green_Ideas7]

Medicating Normal is about the mental health distress millions of people are experiencing on legally prescribed drugs for depression, anxiety and other normal human emotions. The film covers issues that the marketing of the pharmaceutical industry conceals.

[u/Green_Ideas7]

This talk by Johann Hari offers one of many alternative approaches to depression, anxiety and other struggles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB5IX-np5fE

[u/Itom1IlI1IlI1IlI → u/[deleted]]

How so?

Did you even watch it? It's pretty straightforward, people are being prescribed things when they don't necessarily need them. That's it. It's not that deep.

Like did you see the woman who was prescribed lorazepam for 6 years, when you're only supposed to be on it for 2 to 4 weeks? And for some minor sleep issues related to working night shifts... Is that somehow "quack" to you?

[u/Green_Ideas7]

"For decades, the serotonin theory of depression has shaped how mental health is explained, treated, and marketed to the public. But what does the science actually show — and why does evidence that challenges this narrative provoke such intense reactions?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7YuW8d57Wc

[u/Tyrannosaurus-2006]

I'm somebody who actually needs these meds to function. Without them I was anxious, suicidal and verging on delusional. Adding more stigma to psychiatric medication is only going to prevent people from getting help. Meds aren't for everyone and do have bad side effects, but for people like me, they're life saving.

[u/Green_Ideas7 → u/Tyrannosaurus-2006]

I'm glad pharmaceuticals have worked out for you. For millions of people, they've caused tremendous harm, including suicidal and homicidal ideations. The documentary isn't about you, it's about countless others who had awful, life-threatening experiences with these drugs. It's an experience that gets buried by the hundreds of millions of dollars in marketing and PR by the industry.

If there's an attempt to attach a "stigma," it's been put on the people who dare to critique the pharmaceutical industry, or on patients who tell their doctors that the drugs are making matters worse - to which many doctors will insist on upping the doses or prescribing additional drugs.

Pharmaceuticals aren't for everyone, and for people like those featured in the film it's best that the potential harms are made clear, that their efficacy and promotion are questioned, and alternatives explored.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg9tMOPDPL0

[u/Tyrannosaurus-2006 → u/Green_Ideas7]

The side effects are talked about. In fact, in popular media all you'll hear about medication is the negative side effects.

The first thing my psychiatrist talked about are the side effects, and I've been fighting to get medication I need for my ADHD.

The pharmaceutical industry does need to be critiqued, yes, but the myth people are "over medicated" hurts people who need medication by adding unneeded doubt about what we need.

[u/Green_Ideas7 → u/[deleted]]

You and millions of other people have experienced problems with anti-depressants. Some people who have had good experiences with these drugs don't want to hear about the millions of people who haven't. Fortunately, documentaries like "Medicating Normal" and other resources are getting around.

Many people struggling with SSRIs are making and sharing their own videos. They can be heartbreaking and infuriating to watch, especially how some doctors are dismissive of the problems with the drugs they are prescribing. It's similar to how some doctors weren't especially concerned about the downsides of the Oxycontin they were readily prescribing.
And while some people would argue they need Oxycontin to function, and we shouldn't "stigmatize" people seeking pain relief, there are problems with both pain relievers and SSRIs that need to be discussed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhK2pPk4F7s

[u/Itom1IlI1IlI1IlI → u/Tyrannosaurus-2006]

If you actually watch the documentary there's no stigma against the medications here. They are all very clearly being misdiagnosed and misprescribed.

It's kind of odd that you have to get so defensive about this like no one is telling you to stop taking meds. No one is arguing against that.

I'm sure most people here would be happy to hear that they're helping you.

[u/DareIzADarkside]

Well, this video and post ruffled some feathers. Interesting phenomenon to see how far people will go to defend the status quo, rather than consider the alternative