Scientology and Tom Cruise--Megastar Tom Cruise has always politely and respectfully been a Church of Scientology member and supporter. But these days, the War of the Worlds actor has been a lot more smug and outspoken in the media about the views held by him and his church on the field of Psychiatry.
While there has been a media blitz around Cruise and his new movie and new relationship with the much younger actress Katie Holmes, the actor has been using much of his time in interviews to talk about Scientology and take a few jabs at mothers who use antidepressants for Postpartum Depression--like actress Brooke Shields (Down Came The Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression).
Cruise and Shields have been having a media feud over the topic of medication and depression, and it appears that Cruise blasted psychiatry and medication use even further in his Today Show interview with Matt Lauer.
When Cruise discussed postpartum depression, his opinion (based on Scientology views) was that all antidepressants do is mask the problem of depression. It is his belief that depression can be treated with vitamins and exercise.
While vitamins are great as supplements to keep the body nourished, let's be frank here. It is dangerous and almost bordering ridiculous to advise a women suffering from postpartum depression that she should take vitamin therapy and a long walk to avoid feeling the urge to shake her crying baby! Or to increase her interest in even holding her sleeping baby.
While no one is recommending throwing antidepressants down every mother's throat with the baby-blues, postpartum depression on the other hand is a serious condition that often responds favorably to antidepressant therapy.
Tom Cruise also believes (based on Scientology views), that there is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.
What Cruise needs to keep in mind is that many treatments in modern medicine are not based on exact proof, but supposition. It was theorized at one point that drugs that targeted brain chemicals in humans would either cure on help alleviate symptoms of mental illnesses.
And now there is proof that certain drugs which affect brain chemicals help the affected person manage their illness. Ask someone who has been severely depressed, someone suffering from bipolar disorder, or a schizophrenic. Ask the people that love them. For many sufferers of mental disorders, there is a difference and improvement in the quality of their lives when they take their medication. That is a fact that cannot be denied.
While Scientologists probably mean well-- they have very affective programs helping drug addicted people get clean and great reading programs for children, they seemed to have fallen into the traps of many other religions and organizations by standing on their moral high horse and generalizing or demonizing certain people, groups, or theories.
My opinion? Tom Cruise needs to go somewhere and start planning his wedding. Brooke Shields could write another book based on the controversy that has been thrown her way. And us mere mortals? Well, I know if I start seeing Elvis cooking green tomatoes in my kitchen, that somebody better get me to the nearest shrink immediately:)
Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, author, and an online advice expert. She has been helping people make smarter life choices since 1998.
Visit her for Advice & Counseling, or take one of the Free Life Assessment, Relationship Ready, or Depression Screenings today. Subscribe to the growing self-help ezine "Better Choices".
Contact info: info@girlshrink.com
© GirlShrink Inc. The author grants reprint permission to opt-in publications and websites so long as the copyright and by-line are included intact and the article is not used in spam.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Friday, October 07, 2005
Postpartum Depression - Recognizing The Signs - By Cassandra Germsheid
In some cases, bringing home your brand new baby doesn't bring happy thoughts like the ones you were expecting. If this is the case, you may be suffering from postpartum depression. If you have suffered depression anytime before giving birth, your chances of suffering postpartum depression are even greater.
Postpartum depression can occur in up to 16% of new moms, but this number may actually be higher due to the amount of untreated depression.
Don't confuse 'baby blues' with postpartum depression. Baby blues typically last from a few days to a week right after childbirth. This is very common and does not need treatment. An easy way to cope with it is to ask for help and support from friends and family. It also helps to talk to other new moms who are experiencing the same feelings.
Postpartum depression on the other hand, can occur anytime in the first year of your baby's life. If you have any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from postpartum depression.
- sad, irritable, angry, frustrated
- feeling like you are a terrible mother
- guilt, not feeling worthy
- trouble sleeping, always exhausted
- thinking there is no light at the end of the tunnel
- an extreme change in weight, or loss of appetite
- you can't concentrate or remember things
- constantly worrying about things
- you burst out crying for no apparent reason
- anxiety
- do not want to talk or be with friends and family
- your baby does not make you feel happy
- blaming your baby for your feelings
- wanting to hurt yourself or your baby
Suffering from postpartum depression can be life changing. But you need to realize that it is not your fault. You aren't alone in this. Brooke Shields had postpartum depression, and she has written a very good book about it.
Things will get better. And until they do, there are many different support systems - friends, family, doctors and nurses, peer groups, counsellors, and hotlines.
Postpartum depression can be mild, moderate, or severe - so talk to your doctor to determine what type of treatment is best for you.
Cassandra Germsheid is the owner of Baby Tips Online (http://www.babytipsonline.com). She is a stay at home mother but sometimes works part time for her local newspaper.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Postpartum depression can occur in up to 16% of new moms, but this number may actually be higher due to the amount of untreated depression.
Don't confuse 'baby blues' with postpartum depression. Baby blues typically last from a few days to a week right after childbirth. This is very common and does not need treatment. An easy way to cope with it is to ask for help and support from friends and family. It also helps to talk to other new moms who are experiencing the same feelings.
Postpartum depression on the other hand, can occur anytime in the first year of your baby's life. If you have any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from postpartum depression.
- sad, irritable, angry, frustrated
- feeling like you are a terrible mother
- guilt, not feeling worthy
- trouble sleeping, always exhausted
- thinking there is no light at the end of the tunnel
- an extreme change in weight, or loss of appetite
- you can't concentrate or remember things
- constantly worrying about things
- you burst out crying for no apparent reason
- anxiety
- do not want to talk or be with friends and family
- your baby does not make you feel happy
- blaming your baby for your feelings
- wanting to hurt yourself or your baby
Suffering from postpartum depression can be life changing. But you need to realize that it is not your fault. You aren't alone in this. Brooke Shields had postpartum depression, and she has written a very good book about it.
Things will get better. And until they do, there are many different support systems - friends, family, doctors and nurses, peer groups, counsellors, and hotlines.
Postpartum depression can be mild, moderate, or severe - so talk to your doctor to determine what type of treatment is best for you.
Cassandra Germsheid is the owner of Baby Tips Online (http://www.babytipsonline.com). She is a stay at home mother but sometimes works part time for her local newspaper.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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