I think these are good points, but they are based on one thing that a lot of people don’t totally understand, and that is that depression – and I’m talking severe depression that puts people in hospital for long periods of time in near vegetative states and sometimes requiring ECT, as has been my case – is purely a mood-related disorder. While it IS a mood disorder, the amount of cognitive dysfunction some of us experience is extreme, and these meds help that stuff.

I agree that everyone should do what is best for them. 100%. But I am suspicious of anti-psychiatry/anti-drug therapy agendas. I also 100% agree with you that recovering from depression involves WORK! It’s the hardest work I’ll ever do. I’ve had more valuable therapy than most people, and I still continue with it because I see the value in it. Depression isn’t about being a victim, but lots of people, I think, get wrapped up in that victim role because it gives them some kind of identity. In the severe cases, however, the medication angle is necessary in order to get one to the point where they can cope with the hard work and therapy, and get to a place where they’re going to have maximum exposure to insight. You won’t get anywhere without insight.

I never want to contemplate life as that near-vegetable I once was, and I couldn’t go on one more second in this world if I settled for the path of accepting that shitty moods and all the stuff that goes along with it is going to be my lot in life. The greatest thing I have going for me is my HOPE.

I am still struggling emotionally since posting this video at my site. Dr.Breggin makes some valid points and my mind is still spinning. One concern of mine would be, if ‘mental illness’ does not exist or if there is not a label for those of us that ’suffer’… how would this affect anyone who needs to seek therapy, alternative treatments, etc…the mental health parity bill finally passed and so many of us who have paid out of pocket for years for therapy, medications, etc…finally have that insurance parity. It’s probably a mute point because I don’t think Dr. Breggin’s theory will stick. Big Pharma, insurance companies, doctors, etc. are making too much money off our current system…meds, meds and more meds.

ugh, I’m not even sure if I’m making sense-major insomnia and I really need sleep.

all my best to you!

I question anyone who is hard-lined on anything. But I think you hit in on the head when you say “cognitive dysfunction”.

I think the doctor does a big disservice to people who have depression – extreme depression – because there is a big difference between being in a near vegetative state and “Boy, I feel down today.” And, from what he is talking about, it sure seems to fall into the second category.

I also see the victim mentality as well…. BUT… and I don’t mean to sound judgmental… my experience has been that once people take on a victim mentality they are out of their depression/depressive state and but continue to act as if the world should treat them as if they were “sick”. Maybe it is a identity issue, maybe it’s something else…

Again, just my perspective.

As for hope – I honestly don’t know what the thing I have going for me is. I’m not talking about friends, family, love, et al… I’m talking about my internal motivator. I honestly don’t know and that is (one of the many things) that I am trying to figure out.

@Kim

Bummer on the insomnia! That was my life for the last 8 years (basically)

In my other comment to WC, I really wonder if the Dr is talking about “I feel bad” vs. near vegetative state.

Hope you sleep!