Right on, you are so correct here.

Part of the problem is that many Jewish people are in the mental health industry and, not surprisingly, most follow the industry line.

While in the past the more frum community was still old-fashioned and resistant to the mental health industry, in recent years there has been a sea change in this area (though less so in the more extreme segments). To a great extent this has been promoted by people like Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, a streimel wearing descendant of Hassidic dynasties with a long white beard and long black coat (as well as being a leading professional and visionary in his field), and organizations like NEFESH, an association of orthodox in the mental health business, and outfits like OHEL (I think some investigation and expose of OHEL is long overdue. They have grown dramatically in recent years, becoming a giant conglomerate, and have gone far beyond their roots in foster care. Their executives are paid big money and they get big grants - http://www.vosizneias.com/2007/0...ive- grants.html -, while pushing dangerous policies such as the dangerous drugs that you talk about and warehousing people that have difficulties in their group homes while posing as their saviours).
concerned Jew | 04.18.07 - 8:04 pm | #

There's no question that anti-depressants can be extremely risky for certain populations, including those suffering from bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. But don't make the ignorant mistake of attacking all use of medications to treat mental illness. Most psychiatrists today understand that people suffering from bipolar (which is what reports say Mr. Kanovsky suffered from) don't prescribe anti-depressants. They prescribe other medications that have demonstrated incredible efficacy at reducing mood swings and psychosis.

Not to mention the innumerable lives saved, and quality of life improved, for chronic depression sufferers who working with their doctors find the right antidepressant.

The problem is not with medications per se. The problem is with irresponsible prescribing of medications without proper diagnosis or comprehensive monitoring.

Nor are most people who suffer from depression "hooked for life" if they take them. I know from personal experience with more than a half dozen people close to me who have suffered from depression that it is possible to use them only for severe episodes, and to stop taking them after the severe depression lifts and use other therapies and modalities to deal with the more moderate symptoms.

It's silly, at best, and at worst terrible ignorance, to rant in broad generalities about the use of medication for treatment of mental illness. Lots of people suffer horrible side-effects from chemotherapy, for example, but nobody seriousy argues that all chemo should be stopped.
NLG | 04.19.07 - 9:01 pm | #