It is a sacred cow and IMO, people have been brainwashed to accept the chemical imbalance theory because it's an easy way out. Easier to believe in authorities like doctors and advertisers than to undertake the long, hard, often painful work toward spiritual wholeness.
I don't doubt that some cases of depression have a biological origin, but sole emphasis on the biological means we don't have to examine the social, the cultural, and the political situations which can make people feel like their lives are crap. Easier to keep the populace locked in self-blame and dependent on drugs than let them come to the realization that our current situation is at times unbearable, thus preventing the launch into massive cultural change like what took place in the 60s.
It's a kind of twisted genius on the part of the pharmacuetical companies and advertisers who serve them--say no to marijuana and crack because they're "bad for you", but hey, you'll be on Paxil, Prozac, etc. for the rest of your life because they're "good for you." And Americans sure do love a good/bad dichotomy.
This lack of critical thinking over the messages that are put out is a step back not only for the mental health profession but also for U.S. society.
What if therapists in a community hosted a regular series of professional lunches for family doctors, the folks who seem to be promoting the use of medication the most, educating them on the role of therapy? It wouldn't have to cost a lot. I assume there are doctors out there who are frustrated by the idea of just writing a prescription and who would like to be able to know more about the therapy professionals in their community who could serve their patients. Perhaps, there could be an exchange where the family doctors offered insights from their practices that might be relevant to psychotherapists.
Commenting by HaloScan
