The MOTHERS act has been introduced once again to the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. This bill is concerning as it would mandate the federal government to screen all new mothers for “psychiatric” conditions. It parallels the “Teen Screen” phenomenon where schools began screening kids to see if they were at risk for suicide. It appears like a good idea on the surface however, it opens the door for over-prescribing potentially lethal psychiatric medications with questionable justification. If you follow the money trail, it leads straight to the pharmaceutical industry, and new moms and teens are both huge markets that have, until now, been virtually untapped.
In my practice, I see many patients who have been prescribed psychiatric medications, feel disconnected from who they really are, and have grown extremely frustrated with the process of trying to get off the medications, with little if any support from their prescribing psychiatrist. I often learn that these patients felt better before taking the medications and are now left confused and totally disenchanted by the Health
care system that offers no answers once a patient decides that his or her antidepressant is causing more harm then help. Had they come in prior to taking the medications we would have worked together to find the underlying cause for the sad or anxious feelings. Oftentimes it is due to a multifaceted condition called Sickness Syndrome Depression that is best treated with natural medicines. Sometimes it can be related to adrenal stress, or compromised immune function, or an amino acid imbalance or other nutrient deficiency. Sometimes, and especially in new moms, it is simply due to a hormonal imbalance that can be easily and safely corrected through natural, nutrition -based medicine. Patients are able to eventually break free from the psychiatric medications, but it is a long and committed process that takes time, energy and patience.
To gain a better understanding of the consequences of allowing this bill to pass, click here.
To see and hear one woman’s story about being misled by the psychiatric field and losing her child as a consequence, click here.
To sign a petition urging congress not to pass the MOTHERS act click here.
In the spirit of doing what is best for the patient,
Dr. Gina's Blog 