Posted by noa on February 24, 2002, at 16:43:46
In reply to Re: For Judy, posted by OldSchool on February 23, 2002, at 14:46:26
And I think there is something wrong with either-or thinking.
Our brains and the illnesses we have, are complex. Each of our brain illnesses, though called the same thing, might be quite different. What we call "depression" might in fact be a heterogeneous group of illnesses yet to be understood. And our brains are certainly quite complex and unique.
The relationship between "nature" and "nurture" is only beginning to be understood, but there IS enough knowledge at this point in time to lead us to not think of it as either-or.
Nature and nurture, psychological/emotional experience and physiology/neurology are constantly interacting and mutually influential. For each of us, the degree to which our psychology or our neurology is the most reasonable point of entry for intervention, is going to be different.
The science/art of therapy is inexact for sure, but so is the science/art of psychopharmocology (The author of Noonday Demon likens it to a game of dart board).
For some, medication only is the treatment of choice. For others, therapy only is the treatment of choice. For others still, a combination of the two is the treatment of choice. And there are many reasons for choosing one approach or another--all based on the needs of the individual.
And, a comprehensive plan of treatment isn't just limited to therapy/and or medication. There may be other aspects to the treatment, like exercise, diet modifications, developing more social support, practicing meditation, etc. What works for me isn't necessarily going to work for you and vice versa, just as this is the case with our choice of which medication to take and how much.
The recent PBS special on the brain (The Secret Life of the Brain) did a good job, imho, in its 4th episode, of illustrating just how intricately connected are feelings and thoughts and psychological experiences and physiology. They used PTSD to illustrate this--how the interplay between physiology and psychology lead to symptoms and how the interplay between the two can be harnessed in treating the symptoms.
We are complex creatures and the complexities of our our brains function is something we are only beginning to understand. For me, the either-or approach just doesn't fit. It is true that I am so grateful for my medications--without them I would be dead. But if I were just on medication and not in therapy, I'd probably be dead too. And without therapy, I certainly would not be able to work through just how much this illness has caused me to suffer. Or to be able to take better charge of my life. Both forms of treatment have been essential for me in my recovery process. But I recognize that what works for my treatment may not be the thing that works for your treatment, and I fully respect that--we are each so unique that it would be impossible for me to assume that what works for me would necessarily be what works for you. I hope that you will be able to recognize that, too, and not dismiss the value of what has been valuable in my treatment, just because it is not necessary or valuable in your treatment.
poster:noa
thread:18721
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020223/msgs/18811.html