Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Fairview
chizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder have been well-characterized chemically.

Now there's another lie. Show me the study that determines the proper ratios of brain chemicals in "normal" brains, and exact doses of which drugs to correct it in "abnormal" brains. Hmmm ? I've asked numerous people that question and oddly enough, such research does not exist.

Oh wait, there's another lie in that sentence. What is the scientific definition of "normal" ? Does science have a definition of that, or is it the same old "I know it if I see it" ?

My goodness, ultimately any behavior is a manifestation of chemical processes in the brain; if this author doesn't believe in biochemical brain diseases, what mechanism does he suggest for the behavior of people who have demonstrable mental illnesses?

Believe ? First you say there's a measured biological issue, then you say it's a belief ? Which is it ?

Take this article. The little girl who died was from a family that had serious problems. Might her problems have been in response to that environment ? No, no, of course not, that would mean that drugs were unnecessary but interention was. Way too expensive for the nanny state, and way too much work to find well-behaved relatives willing to raise the child properly.

You might benefit by reading Peter Breggin's book "Reclaiming Our Children: A Healing Solution for a Nation In Crisis".

16 posted on 08/06/2007 8:38:19 AM PDT by cinives (On some planets what I do is considered normal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]


To: cinives
You might benefit by reading Peter Breggin's book "Reclaiming Our Children: A Healing Solution for a Nation In Crisis".

And you might benefit from reading books, journals, and papers on psychopharmacology or acquiring credentials to attend one of the annual meetings of the Society for Neurosciences. Exploring the serious scholarly literature on these issues would show you that indeed the neural/chemical pathways implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia, major depression, and bipolar disorder are well characterized. And plenty of assays have been done of normal brains. The particular drugs and dosages used to treat these ailments are also widely and successfully used. I don't know who the "numerous people" are whom you've asked about this, but the research does exist. Whether or not you're willing to go to the National Library of Medicine and dig it out is another question.

I'm not disputing that outside influences--a horrible upbringing, abuse, neglect, bad training, severe trauma, etc.--can cause behaviors that are unacceptable. What I'm saying is that whether the origin of the illness was outside of the patient or was internal (like the genetic flaw that predisposes to schizophrenia or depression), the result is a change in brain chemistry which can actually be seen in PET scans.

I'm not in any way disputing what you're saying about this child and the abuse she clearly suffered. I agree that drugs are far too often prescribed for children who just need good parenting. I'm not even addressing this case in particular. I'm just saying that many major mental illnesses, like schizophrenia, can and should be treated with medications as well as therapy.

33 posted on 08/06/2007 9:47:06 AM PDT by Fairview ( Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]

To: cinives

You’re not fooling anybody.

HAIL XENU


66 posted on 08/06/2007 12:37:47 PM PDT by B-Chan (Catholic. Monarchist. Texan. Any questions?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson