Hi Tiffany - would love to get the correct link under 'skyrocketed' about the increase in prescribing of SSRIs (link not working for me?) . Is it a societal ills causing the rise or just better availability/cheapness of the drug?
And info on The Household Pulse Survey here with links to data. The Survey "was designed to gauge the impact of the pandemic on employment status, consumer spending, food security, housing, education disruptions, and dimensions of physical and mental wellness." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health-care.htm
I'm a primary care doc and prescribe SSRIs to many, many people. I see my job as doing the best I can for the person in front of me with what I have. I frequently feel that the person would be benefitted by quitting their job or going to couple's therapy, for example, more than by an SSRI. I might gently point in this direction, but if the person ignores my finger and requests a pill, I go with it.
I totally get that and man do I appreciate that perspective! Primary Care docs are in a tough spot trying to help their patients the best they can, when most patients dont have the luxury of immediately altering their circumstances and they also don't have the time to follow up every week or whatever it might take to ensure that they are doing well as they rearrange their life! I continue to believe that informed patients who understand risks and benefits of treatment have to be the ones advocating for themselves and making the informed choices.
I was so happy to see your comment because many articles in my research mentioned that pcps are prescribing most psychiatric medicines and it really should be prescribed by psychiatrists, which seemed inaccurate and unreasonable in my humble opinion. I personally believe specialty care should be reserved for complex and extraordinary circumstances. Curious what your thoughts are!
Maybe we need to focus on better education for parents and physicians. Maybe we spend more time researching potential side effects. Maybe physicians stop looking for quick fixes of upping the dosage merely because the current dosage isn’t indicating any side effects. There’s enough folks to blame. Pick one. It’s not the FDA
It pains me to hear about young children. I’ve taken Olanzapine to manage my bipolar, and knowing the impact it had on my ability to think, speak, and function, I’ve discontinued using it (now on my 5th year without medication). I'm fully aware of the risks, which is why I’m committed to monitoring and regulating my behavior to avoid reaching the point of an episode or hospitalization (I’ve been there before). I have so many questions about mental health and the medical field here in the U.S., and I know I still have a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing, Tiffany! You’re helping lives, including mine.
Thank you so much for sharing here Mae! When I was rotating through psychiatry in school I heard a lecture from a doctor who advocated for an alternative approach to treatment similar to what you are describing here! He only used antipsychotics during psychotic episodes and felt it was a better approach. I've never worked in psychiatry but I agree that given the drawbacks - cognitive, metabolic (insulin resistance...etc), and quality of life stuff (reduced 'volume' on feelings, lack of 'endorphins') I'm not a fan of telling a patient they HAVE to take meds for anything! It's our job to make sure that patients understand risks and then be there as a consultant when they need more info/treatment...etc. I absolutely LOVE your substack Mae and would welcome a guest post here on your experience with the medical system anytime! Also, please send over any particular topics you might be interested in having covered. I'd love the inspiration!
I appreciate you, Tiffany! I'm definitely accepting your invitation for a guest post—I have a few experiences I’d like to write about (which I’ll share). There’s still so much to explore in the world of mental health and how people can move through the system and make informed decisions with the guidance of consultants and medical professionals. In the end, it's true, as you mentioned in your previous articles, that we are our own advocates, and the ultimate decision on what's best comes from within.
Hi Tiffany - would love to get the correct link under 'skyrocketed' about the increase in prescribing of SSRIs (link not working for me?) . Is it a societal ills causing the rise or just better availability/cheapness of the drug?
And info on The Household Pulse Survey here with links to data. The Survey "was designed to gauge the impact of the pandemic on employment status, consumer spending, food security, housing, education disruptions, and dimensions of physical and mental wellness." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/pulse/mental-health-care.htm
As well as source data from 2020 here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm
Hi Fi! Please try this link: https://quotewizard.com/news/mental-health-prescriptions#:~:text=Our%20team%20of%20analysts%20found,also%20crosses%20traditional%20demographic%20lines.
Darn - this link still taking me to an error page "403 forbidden" :( Other links are fine! :)
It's so weird! I'm not sure what else to do! Maybe I can post a screenshot?
I'm a primary care doc and prescribe SSRIs to many, many people. I see my job as doing the best I can for the person in front of me with what I have. I frequently feel that the person would be benefitted by quitting their job or going to couple's therapy, for example, more than by an SSRI. I might gently point in this direction, but if the person ignores my finger and requests a pill, I go with it.
I totally get that and man do I appreciate that perspective! Primary Care docs are in a tough spot trying to help their patients the best they can, when most patients dont have the luxury of immediately altering their circumstances and they also don't have the time to follow up every week or whatever it might take to ensure that they are doing well as they rearrange their life! I continue to believe that informed patients who understand risks and benefits of treatment have to be the ones advocating for themselves and making the informed choices.
I was so happy to see your comment because many articles in my research mentioned that pcps are prescribing most psychiatric medicines and it really should be prescribed by psychiatrists, which seemed inaccurate and unreasonable in my humble opinion. I personally believe specialty care should be reserved for complex and extraordinary circumstances. Curious what your thoughts are!
Maybe we need to focus on better education for parents and physicians. Maybe we spend more time researching potential side effects. Maybe physicians stop looking for quick fixes of upping the dosage merely because the current dosage isn’t indicating any side effects. There’s enough folks to blame. Pick one. It’s not the FDA
I emphatically agree with every single one of these suggestions! In the case of SSRIs, I agree, it's not the FDA.
It pains me to hear about young children. I’ve taken Olanzapine to manage my bipolar, and knowing the impact it had on my ability to think, speak, and function, I’ve discontinued using it (now on my 5th year without medication). I'm fully aware of the risks, which is why I’m committed to monitoring and regulating my behavior to avoid reaching the point of an episode or hospitalization (I’ve been there before). I have so many questions about mental health and the medical field here in the U.S., and I know I still have a lot to learn. Thank you for sharing, Tiffany! You’re helping lives, including mine.
Thank you so much for sharing here Mae! When I was rotating through psychiatry in school I heard a lecture from a doctor who advocated for an alternative approach to treatment similar to what you are describing here! He only used antipsychotics during psychotic episodes and felt it was a better approach. I've never worked in psychiatry but I agree that given the drawbacks - cognitive, metabolic (insulin resistance...etc), and quality of life stuff (reduced 'volume' on feelings, lack of 'endorphins') I'm not a fan of telling a patient they HAVE to take meds for anything! It's our job to make sure that patients understand risks and then be there as a consultant when they need more info/treatment...etc. I absolutely LOVE your substack Mae and would welcome a guest post here on your experience with the medical system anytime! Also, please send over any particular topics you might be interested in having covered. I'd love the inspiration!
I appreciate you, Tiffany! I'm definitely accepting your invitation for a guest post—I have a few experiences I’d like to write about (which I’ll share). There’s still so much to explore in the world of mental health and how people can move through the system and make informed decisions with the guidance of consultants and medical professionals. In the end, it's true, as you mentioned in your previous articles, that we are our own advocates, and the ultimate decision on what's best comes from within.
I'm excited about it. Your perspective would be so valuable to the Red Flag community! I'll reach out to you privately.