On Fri, 8 Aug 2003, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
> Mondimore makes a very useful distinction between "ordinary" depression
> and affective disorders. The former is usually a normal and expected
> response to life circumstances, while affective (mood) disorders are
> usually unrelated to such circumstances. Mood swings, esp. in bipolar
> disorders, often occur without any circumstances (such as a personal
> loss) that are normally associated with sadness or grief, although such
> circumstances may sometimes trigger mood swings. Therefore, treating
> the underlying causes of affective disorders does require changing brain
> chemistry, whereas cognitive therapy, counseling, and support group can
> only help (many of them quite effectively) coping with the symptoms and
> their social consequences.
>
You need to do some more research. You've got it exactly backwards: drug therapies provide temporary relief of symptoms, they do not cure psychological disorders. Long term "cures" involve systematic changes in thought and behavior, not just brain chemistry.
--And why do you assume cognitive therapy cannot produce changes in brain chemistry? Researchers have recently used MRI scans to demonstrate systematic changes in brain functioning for clients who participate in cog-beh therapy!
I agree that reasoning should be based on careful analysis and data. I'll say it again: the notion that the most effective therapy for affective disorders is SSRIs is contradicted by many rigorous studies. Appealing to the authority of a psychiatrist is not going to change the facts here!
Miles