In the article entitled "Health Year in Review: 2008" I found the comments on the ineffectiveness of antidepressents very interesting. In today's market you will see dozens of commercials for various medications treating similar cases of "depression." As the article says, these medications often encompass a larger spectrum of illness than just "depression." I have always found it interesting - the need for medication to treat the natural human condition of sadness, and I wonder if these medications are in reality just fabricated ideas. The fact that many of these medications are equally as effective as placebos only prove that it is really the thought behind the medication, rather than the medication which treats our illness. If this is true, which it seems to be, then why risk dependence on a medication just to treat something you can change yourself by thinking in a different way. Most of these medications have side effects that do not justify taking them for a condition such as sadness.
All of this leads to another question, one which the article proposes indiscretely. This is, why are the results of these studies skewed to show even negative results in a positive light? The answer is obvious: money. It is difficult to discern which studies are biased, and which aren't, especially when advertisements cite them simply as "clinical studies." Doctors don't perform background checks as they are receiving funding from the drug representatives, and unfortunately for the patient, a doctor's word is law in his office. Often times people will not properly question what it is they are taking, but will follow a commercial, or their doctor; one of which is paid for by the drug company, and the other of which is paid by the drug company. The drug companies also use those studies which benefit them most, and lock up those that don't in order to sell a better product. This is why the "Paxil study 329" had to wait for legal prompting in order to be released.
The power of the drug companies is often underestimated by the normal consumer, and if unchecked misdiagnosis is both logical and inevitable. As companies promote the selling of their product by offering monatary incentive, doctors will keep peddling their product. Unfortunately for us - a race set on feeling sorry for ourselves - "depression" is an extremely easy sickness to sell. Everyone feels sad, but doesn't want to, and if the doctor tells us this can be cured by taking a pill we are likely to listen.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Personality
From the "Jung Typology Test" my personality type was an "INTJ". After reading the description type by D. Keirsey, describing the "Mastermind" personality type, I found that it described me well: "Trying to anticipate every contingency, Masterminds never set off on their current project without a Plan A firmly in mind, but they are always prepared to switch to Plan B or C or D if need be." Also, "Masterminds do not feel bound by established rules and procedures, and traditional authority does not impress them, nor do slogans or catchwords. Only ideas that make sense to them are adopted; those that don't, aren't, no matter who thought of them." A bit of egotism is definitely involved, and I suppose that I am guilty of this. Although I believe my ideas are right, I will still "insist on looking at all available data before [I] embrace an idea, and [I am] suspicious of any statement that is based on shoddy research, or that is not checked against reality."
I scored a 35 on the EQ test, which falls within the "Slightly above average" range (35-44). They describe this type saying, "We spend countless hours in our given roles - sometimes without much joy or satisfaction. In the process we become tranquilized by the trivial. Sedated by the small details of life." This is definitely true in my current job, but I don't think it's that serious considering my job is only part time, and I definitely don't plan on doing it for the rest of my life.
On the "Personality Test" I scored low-mid range on extraversion, which means I tend to be "reserved and serious," which is definitely true at times. My "agreeagleness" is mid range, which means I am moderately agreeable with the people around me, not overly or underly friendly. I scored high on Conscientiousness which means I am a hardworker and what I do matters to me. And I scored low on Neuroticism which means I "tend to be secure, generally relaxed even under stressful conditions, and worry little."
I averaged a 2.04 on the Attractiveness test, and apparently I am more attracted to "Trendy" and "Intellectual" women. This makes sense, and I could somewhat trust the validity of this test, however the pictures should really be changed to represent more of the better-looking women in the world.
On the "True Crime" personality test I scored a "extraversion = 3.12, agreeableness = 3.33, conscientiousness = 3.89, neuroticism = 1.75, and openness = 4.50. " And I found that I am not attracted to criminal women... I probably could have discerned this for myself but it's good to have reassurances.
In summary, I guess I really didn't learn a whole lot about myself, as I answered these questions well aware of the results I wanted. There will always be a degree of bias when assessing your own personality, because everyone has an "idealized self" that they wish to be. I will not deny that my bias probably had to do with some of these personality tests; it was unavoidable.
I scored a 35 on the EQ test, which falls within the "Slightly above average" range (35-44). They describe this type saying, "We spend countless hours in our given roles - sometimes without much joy or satisfaction. In the process we become tranquilized by the trivial. Sedated by the small details of life." This is definitely true in my current job, but I don't think it's that serious considering my job is only part time, and I definitely don't plan on doing it for the rest of my life.
On the "Personality Test" I scored low-mid range on extraversion, which means I tend to be "reserved and serious," which is definitely true at times. My "agreeagleness" is mid range, which means I am moderately agreeable with the people around me, not overly or underly friendly. I scored high on Conscientiousness which means I am a hardworker and what I do matters to me. And I scored low on Neuroticism which means I "tend to be secure, generally relaxed even under stressful conditions, and worry little."
I averaged a 2.04 on the Attractiveness test, and apparently I am more attracted to "Trendy" and "Intellectual" women. This makes sense, and I could somewhat trust the validity of this test, however the pictures should really be changed to represent more of the better-looking women in the world.
On the "True Crime" personality test I scored a "extraversion = 3.12, agreeableness = 3.33, conscientiousness = 3.89, neuroticism = 1.75, and openness = 4.50. " And I found that I am not attracted to criminal women... I probably could have discerned this for myself but it's good to have reassurances.
In summary, I guess I really didn't learn a whole lot about myself, as I answered these questions well aware of the results I wanted. There will always be a degree of bias when assessing your own personality, because everyone has an "idealized self" that they wish to be. I will not deny that my bias probably had to do with some of these personality tests; it was unavoidable.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Dear Mother
Dear Mother,
How are you doing? I'm doing well. Well enough, that is. I finally found a job, but I'm having trouble and I feel I might be fired soon. The manager said I took too long to mop the floor at closing last night, but I swear to you it was still filthy after four hours of mopping. Some people just don't know cleanliness. I've been saving the money just in case something happens to me out here, and I hope you are proud of that. I rarely spend anymore; I'm too afraid that I'll be hurt and I won't have the money to cover my medical costs. It's just not right that doctors charge so much for simple procedures, the ethics of it are completely outrageous, don't you think? I've been working hard on my schoolwork, but I'm finding it difficult to write papers by hand as I often times rewrite several times to get it just right. People make fun of me because, to them, I write a good paper, but I can't explain how it's just not perfect. I'm becoming familiar with all of the campus rules (I shouldn't want to break one) and I've read the handbook at least eight times cover to cover; it'd be embarassing to get caught over a minor rule infraction. I've had some trouble making friends as I occupy my room most of the time straightening up and organizing the many new things I am acquiring such as books. I still haven't found the perfect furniture arrangement, and I actually got up just now as I was typing this to fix the bed; I could see it was crooked out of the corner of my eye. I like it here. Anyway, I've written this letter about fifteen times by now, so I think I'll just go ahead and send it even though my handwritting is atrocious.
Sincerely,
Devon
How are you doing? I'm doing well. Well enough, that is. I finally found a job, but I'm having trouble and I feel I might be fired soon. The manager said I took too long to mop the floor at closing last night, but I swear to you it was still filthy after four hours of mopping. Some people just don't know cleanliness. I've been saving the money just in case something happens to me out here, and I hope you are proud of that. I rarely spend anymore; I'm too afraid that I'll be hurt and I won't have the money to cover my medical costs. It's just not right that doctors charge so much for simple procedures, the ethics of it are completely outrageous, don't you think? I've been working hard on my schoolwork, but I'm finding it difficult to write papers by hand as I often times rewrite several times to get it just right. People make fun of me because, to them, I write a good paper, but I can't explain how it's just not perfect. I'm becoming familiar with all of the campus rules (I shouldn't want to break one) and I've read the handbook at least eight times cover to cover; it'd be embarassing to get caught over a minor rule infraction. I've had some trouble making friends as I occupy my room most of the time straightening up and organizing the many new things I am acquiring such as books. I still haven't found the perfect furniture arrangement, and I actually got up just now as I was typing this to fix the bed; I could see it was crooked out of the corner of my eye. I like it here. Anyway, I've written this letter about fifteen times by now, so I think I'll just go ahead and send it even though my handwritting is atrocious.
Sincerely,
Devon
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