You remember the good old days where people just dealt with their own problems? When a close friend was all you needed to soothe heartache, or a friendly smile was the best cure for a bad day?
Of course you don't. For those methods of cheering oneself up are now outdated, their uplifting simplicity overthrown by a more effective (and more expensive) newcomer: medication.
Off the bat I myself would like to admit to taking pills. I have a bad case of obsessive-compulsive disorder accompanied by frequent panic attacks, something that has been with me for many years now. Nonetheless, I am ashamed to be part of a biologically equalizing trend of mood elevators and antidepressants. So, allow me to continue with this hypocritical nonsense, like so:
It's ridiculous. The first time a kid doesnt pay attention in kindergarten,
he's automatically ADD and treated with Ritalin for the rest of his life. A young man acts depressed one time becuse his girlfriend stood him up, and his mom sends him to a shrink. He comes back labeled "manic-depressive," and they drug him up with Seraquil until further evaluation. What happened to the days when you could cry on a parent's shoulder without them telling you to go get a psycho-analysis?
Wouldn't it be better if we focused more on eliminating what was causing the problem instead of muffling the problem itself? I mean, if people just tried to be a little more open with each other, they wouldn't have to take so much emotional burdening on themselves. Maybe the only real medicine we need is a pair of listening ears.
So to all the people out there on Prozac because a you were bullied as a kid, grow up, get over it, and move on. Trauma is something that happens to everyone, and a dead hamster or a schoolyard punk does not a psychological disorder make. The next time you feel sad, call up a friend or a brother/sister. If you don't have either, then perhaps it's time to get yourself a cat or dog. I garauntee it'll cost you a lot less than a bottle of purple pills.
 Patchy · Mon May 02, 2005 @ 04:50am · 2 Comments |
