Revisiting Whitaker

psychotropic drugs and Mental Health care in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Mental health issues and the indiscriminate use of psychopharmaceuticals are a great deal of a problem for the primary care and public health. The objective of this article is to show an updated basis from Robert Whitaker theses in his book “Anatomy of an epidemic: Magic bullets, psychiatric drugs and the astonishing rise of mental illness”.

It is presented a synthesis of the book, with specific comments about some topics, aiming for better scientific base of the arguments. The thesis endorses that prescribing psychopharmaceuticals must be avoided; and if required, it must be as an acute symptomatic scenario for the least time as possible. The study has positive evidences that a few of these drugs only reduces symptoms, and for a short period of time.

If chronic used, in a long-term scenario it seems to actually reduce stability, autonomy and social functionality, leaving the user with serious abstinence from the drug. Specially at the primary care (and also at the health specialized services), the professionals should have a mindful and discerning approach for psychotropics, using different therapeutic strategies, less iatrogenic and as effective or more for the mental health patients in the long road.