Antidepressants....More Harm Than Good?
A new article by PhysOrg (http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-04-evidence-anti-depressants-good.html) shows that antidepressants may be doing more harm than good. Researchers found that since serotonin is involved in so many bodily functions, SSRI drugs, which increase serotonin levels in the brain, are actually putting many normal bodily functions out of balance. In fact, only 5% of the body's serotonin is found in the brain; 90% of the body's serotonin is NOT in the brain, but in the gut itself. Serotonin performs a vital role in many bodily functions. The researchers conclude that 'benefits of antidepressants are generally outweighed by their costs'.
The study also brings to light other previous studies and commentary on the efficacy of SSRI's, including a statement on the TV show 60 Minutes, made by a US FDA
representative that the symptom reducing effect of
antidepressants relative to placebo is “rather small” (Bonin, 2012).
The research study itself may be found at Frontiers in Evolutionary Psychology: http://www.frontiersin.org/Evolutionary_Psychology/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00117/full
For those of us working with complementary healing modalities, including the Bach flower remedies, this study further proves that, as Dr Edward Bach stated, we should 'treat the person, not the disease.' Humans are so more than a mechanistic compilation of chemicals and parts. We are spirits dwelling in physical bodies. The true disharmony lies in the conflict between the personality and the Soul, which often manifests under the term 'stress'. The answer lies not in a batch of chemicals, but in the restoration of balance, which allows the inner divinity of each individual to shine through.
