Nowadays, prescriptions drugs such as Hippocrates and Prozac are generally considered a first choice for psychological disorders. Bipolar disorder, major depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are some examples of psychological disorders. Psychopharmacological drugs, like other modern drugs, are powerful, complex and combine easily with other chemical and traditional medications. For proper prescription, the clinicians must have a vast knowledge of how these modern drugs are used and their bioavailability in the human body. A thorough understanding of how they work in the body will also benefit the person taking the drugs (Preston, Psy, O’Neal & Talaga, 2005).
In American, clinicians prescribe antidepressants to their patients daily. Studies have shown that antidepressants are highly used than any other kind of drug. Millions of dollars have been siphoned to the pharmaceutical industries and in particular for antidepressants. Many citizens were against the antidepressants medications in the 1990s and this was channeled through campaigns in church and protests. A lawsuit alleged that children taking this prescription were prone to committing suicide and being violent. This later became noteworthy after the Food and Drug Administration found a relationship of suicidal behavior and antidepressants.
The controversy surrounding the use of psychiatric medication is unlikely to be resolved because of the popular belief about psychopharmacology. The belief for major influence in use of psychiatric medication in Americans is because of an economic drive, state of being active and energetic. In recent research studies, it has been noted that psychiatrists have failed to follow scientific practice of psychopharmacology and are often driven by symptom-based orientation to treat patients. This approach threats psychopharmacology both on ethical grounds and lack of understanding of the relevant nature of diseases and healing processes. In addition, some clinicians and psychiatrics do not understand the fundamental standards of the basic standards of scientific methodology. It is therefore important for the researchers to take a scientifically sound assessment while prescribing the use of medications such as antidepressants for bipolar disorder (Preston, Psy, O’Neal & Talaga, 2005).
Further, researches have pointed out that fluoxetine-treated patient are active and more energetic. This has been connected to the high production nature of America where one can sleep for 6-8 hours per day. Due to this social setting, it is likely for people to take pills that will increase their activity, energy and productivity. In this sense, American pursuit of happiness is through antidepressants pills. In the 1970s, antidepressant need proliferated and sales increased. The psychiatric researchers observed poor outcomes in those patients with bipolar disorder. This controversy brought clinicians to spotlight.
The growing problem of psychiatric medication is not only to pharmaceutical companies or the health insurers but to all Americans. People are stressed because of their children, mortgages, work and they want to stay competitive. Since no one can afford to fall behind, we need to control anxiety and depression so as to be appealing to the modern world. Psychiatric medication is therefore not a misplaced economic priority and a moral diagnostic is thus required so that we do not rumble over the forces of scientific dynamics. Careful treatment should be undertaken to avoid further shortcomings.
References
Preston J. D., Psy D., O’Neal, J. H. & Talaga C. M. (2005). Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Therapists. (4th ed), Oakland: New Harbinger Publications.