Thursday, September 23, 2010

Is Medicine the Answer to our Ills?


Sometimes medicine will help and many times it will hurt the patient. Until the recent research and development uncovered some new medicines most of us went through life depending on hard work, prayer and social support to get through tough times. Dr. Robert Schuyler has the motto: "The going gets tough, the tough get going".

That is a good motto but it doesn't always work. I grew up hearing another motto: "He needs to pull himself up by his bootstraps". It is also partially true r half truth, "Jesus is the answer to all problems".

Recently, we have a half truth on the other end of the spectrum. Medicine is the answer to all mental, emotional, behavioral and relational problems.Over 20% of the kids in many elementary schools have an official mental/emotional/behavioral diagnosis. Why so many more now than before?

1. They were previously undiagnosed
2. Things are getting worse
3. Better diagnosis
4. More doctors and psychologists
5. Incorrect diagnoses

I am enclosing an article I think will be helpful to you about this situation. As the founder of an in patient psychiatric hospital and outpatient clinics, I obviously believe that medicine can be helpful. However, I also know that over medicating people, especially kids, can be harmful to them and their futures.

Read this blog by Dr. Leap, a Medical Doctor who sees the results of the Medical Model or Disease Model of treatment. Write and tell me what you think. Do we always need a pill or will prayer and love be more effective?

Gary Sweeten

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