Giving Our Psych Patients Placebo Pills Sounds Interesting

I honestly think it would be funny if we gave half of the patient’s placebo pills. I feel like most depression is psychological and things we can’t control. Instead of loading all the patients with benzos and other addictive drugs, it would save the hospital money if we gave patients placebo drugs instead of actual pills.

Why?

Patients esp in the United States are more receptive to taking pills. People often put more faith in the pills than in changing themselves. So if people feel better, they are more likely to do self-care activities like showering, eating, and socializing.

Psych medications also cause damage to the body over time including kidney failure, GI issues, weight gain, and suicidal thoughts. Most patients want to feel better, so if they believe the pill will make them feel better, they might actually feel better.

Alternate Treatments that Can be Used With Placebo Pills

In addition to the placebo pills, patients probably need to engage in therapy like CBT or DBT. Also, engaging in a regular schedule with work, therapy, and activities may help decrease depression. Having a set schedule decreases anxiety and helps with coping. People can also increase time spent with good peers and close family members to decrease anxiety.

In Conclusion

Mental Health Illness can be treated with a combination of meds, social support, therapy, and routine schedules. But we as a society, need to put more faith in social support and routine scheduling. People are more likely to have crises when their schedule is out of whack and they don’t have support.