Statins are clearly being over-prescribed, but there are some people here who are in the target group that the drug was developed for and it is working.
It is similar with antidepressants. Some people find relief with them that can’t get it any other way. But it is also true that there are many people on them who’s doctors should have taken a little more time with the diagnosis. I have a hormone specialist who is a respected expert in her field. She has written books on the topic of women’s hormones and she said that, far too often, doctors will put women on antidepressants who have hormone imbalances that can be corrected with estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones and similar treatments. Instead these poor ladies are suffering with horrendous side effects of “happy pills” that are very bad for them.
It is similar for men. Doctors need to be starting with the least problematic treatment and working up. How about testing levels of B vitamins in a depressed/anxious patient? Ask about diet and other supplements. Even synthetic fragrances in deodorant, soaps and shampoos can make sensitive people feel sick and cause mood swings. Instead, they start with the big ammo that provides the most revenue for the drug companies and the least amount of effort in terms of their 15 minute per patient diagnosis.
And don’t even get me started on those acid blockers. There are a small number of people who need those too, but when proton pump inhibitors are mis-prescribed, they can have negative effects on the digestive tract and overall health. If anyone is curious, I recommend Dr. Wright’s book “Why Stomach Acid is Good for You”.
The bottom line is that the patient needs to take an active role in their own health. Question your doctor’s decisions if they sound too flippant. They are not gods and they can fall prey to the lure of big pharmaceutical companies. Trust but verify.
What I find interesting about antidepressants is that the warning labels have changed for political reasons. Where the used to warn that they could have “suicidal and homicidal ideation” as one of the side-effects, almost all of the psychoactive drugs now only list “suicidal ideation” and have dropped the “homicidal” portion of that warning. . . since the fact that every single one of the mass shooting offenders was on one or more of these drugs either while or shortly before they committed their crimes! Do you see a connection to that sudden editing of the PDR warnings??? I certainly do.