Anderson Cooper's interview with Marianne Williamson

[madaboutharry]

(I am reposting it here because I first posted in General Discussion, which was probably the wrong place)

Anderson Cooper now interviewing Marianne Williamson.

Asking her about her comments on depression and anti-depressants.

This is the second time I have seen her confronted about her comments on depression.

I will say this about her, she handles hard questions well. She doesn't get defensive, she does have a calmness about her.

I wouldn't think of supporting her, and I think she has some strange ideas, but she does say a lot of things I agree with. Part of me likes her.

[democratisphere]

1. Agreed.

Very focused and excellent speaker with a very good delivery.

[calguy]

2. She is quite an accomplished person

She is a firmly grounded individual who excels in her field of expertise. Politics is not her area of expertise.

[Me.]

3. I UNderstand She Has Personally Experienced Depression

[Raine]

4. I like her too

I'm not backing her for President but I like her and like hearing what she has to say.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. And the sooner, the better.

[IcyPeas]

6. She is on Bill Maher on Friday. Nt

[JI7]

7. a lot of people say a lot of things that many people agree with. there is nothing special about that

but this is a presidential race. and there should be higher standards.

[The empressof all]

8. Honestly I think her point is finely nuanced.

I just briefly listened to what she said to Anderson Cooper and what I took away from it is that it was her believe that Anti-depressant medication is too frequently prescribed without a thorough examination and exploring other treatment modalities that don't rely on a pill. I haven't read her positions on this but going just by what I heard there is some truth in this. As a former mental health professional I have seen the value and assistance medications can give to folks who are experiencing severe and persistent symptoms. I have also seen anti-depressants prescribed far to easily for folks with situational sadness or transient symptoms of depression. Talk therapy is expensive and a challenge for the patient and treatment provider. There just aren't enough of us quite frankly and the pay sucks especially if you are working in community health centers. Medical providers want to help and medication is often the only tool they have to offer patients. But Medication does have side affects and does blunt emotional responses. In addition there can be an increase in suicidal feelings for some people on medication. By all means medication is extremely helpful for many with severe symptoms of depression but unfortunately what gets missed is a complete and thorough evaluation by a qualified professional which IMO takes a great deal more time and money than a 20 minute psych eval by someone who may not even be trained in more than the basic protocols of evaluation. I know I personally have had medical professionals offer me anti depressants because I expressed concerns about ordinary life stressors. People go to their providers expecting help and often the only thing a professional can do is offer them a pill.

Nevertheless....I think she along with a few others are just muddying the waters of this race. Her ideas have value and should be heard but not in the context of a Presidential Primary.

And if she is quoting research from the Scientologists as Anderson suggested then she is really not doing anyone or herself any favors .

[appalachiablue]

10. Good post, I share many of these views and observations.

It's no secret that medications, esp. anti depressant SSRIs have been way overprescribed for decades and warnings about side effects especially in young people and in terms of suicide and suicidal ideation are warranted, finally. I agree with Williamson that ob-gyns should not be prescribing mental health medications, but we can't go all 'anti medicine' as some extremists think. In the UK, the SSRI Paxil was taken off the market because of severe effects in teens I believe.

I was glad to see that Anderson didn't let slide her brash and unwise statements about the deaths of Robin Williams and Kate Spade. That was totally irresponsible and he was right to hold Marianne accountable. This election is far too serious for an inexperienced, self help coach and author with no government experience to try out for the job. In another role, advisory in nature she may have a good deal to contribute in the way of helping guide this nation in a better direction.

[Tarc]

9. Anti-vax faith-healers have no place in the Democratic Party

Looks like this thread was moved, so it bears repeating. I really cannot wait til the debate thresholds are bumped up to realistic levels.

[ConnorMarc]

12. I like her

She'd be a much better President than the current Mango Menace we have in Office.

I'd gladly, and proudly, support her.