You're so right, Sara. Inside the hospital, it's all about herd control. Outside, it's all about conformity. Emotional well-being of the patient just doesn't factor into it. Too bad we couldn't expand our War Against Some Drugs to capture the real problem.

Well, gee, thanks, Philip. I'm honored to be featured in this way by someone I greatly respect.

Remember the noxious 50's fad for lookalike Mom and Daughter outfits? Joan Crawford liked that one a lot.
Now drug - I mean dog- owners can turn their pets into mini-Mes.

Philip, I know that you have concerns about our "medicated nation", and I do too...(and I strongly applaud this comment for what it represents). However, I also do want to state that, as a severe bipolar who would be unable to even get out of bed and go to work without taking any medications at all, they DO have a place at some point in the system. True, they are overprescribed and abused in the system as it now stands, but some of us rely on them in order to be functional citizens. Without Abilify in particular (and no, it isn't like I'm being paid to advertise this godforsaken drug...the gods know I don't like the fact that it has made me gain 15 pounds), my particular "brand" of rapid cycling bipolar disorder with psychotic features would not enable me to serve on the faculty of a state university to the effective capacity that I have been able to. I mean that in full sincerity. Unmedicated, I am completely unable to carry on conversations with anyone: instead, I am only able to argue, pick fights, or greet others with absolute silence or tears at best. Please, do not condemn medication entirely. It simply is not a fair approach to take, and I mean that.

Best,
K.

Ari K--Speaking for myself here; I have strong opinions about psych meds for human and pets--and I also am on Lamictal. Just wanted to clarify most posters here speak from experience from psych med use. I know I do. I think the best thing anyone can do is talk about what med did what--and especially taking that information into the veterinary world.

Phillip, Thank you for a great posting, and thank you to all who responded. I agree with everyone who posted. I am against (in principle I guess) the increased use of synthetic chemicals for the sheer capitalism of it. I BELIEVE that in some way, the PHARMA corporations MUST BELIEVE they are HELPING animals with their "mood" disorders. I DO believe that animals (we are animals) HAVE mood disorders, BUT is medication the most optimum FIRST LINE treatment option?

I agree with Adrienne, that there are many folks (me included) who at times have needed to take psycho-active medication in order to have the quality of life (qol) that they desire. Medications used therapeutically in conjunction with supervision of a health care professional CAN be a good thing for many people.

I don't believe at all, that Phillip is against the use of medications. I tried interferon for my kitties when they had the flu. That was a off-label indication for kitty flu, but it worked great, it was like water, and the cats who FIGHT LIKE CATS against taking PILLS... LOVED the watery interferon and as a result got better quickly. That same vet, offered me kitty Prozac. I thought that was so audacious that I just cracked up.

Peace, Love, and Happy Kitties,

Dr. BK