A doctor and psychotherapist has called for an investigation into the treatment of mental illness in and what he sees as the "gross over-prescribing" of anti-depressants.
Author of Beyond Prozac - Healing Mental Suffering Without Drugs, Dr Terry Lynch, who is based in Limerick, criticised the widespread prescribing of anti-depressants for people who showed only moderate signs of emotional distress.
At the first naturopathic festival organised in Galway by the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners, Dr Lynch said although it was difficult to get exact figures for those on anti-depressants, in Britain prescriptions had doubled in the past nine years, where 22 million were given out every year.
"When I hear figures like these," he said, "there is something eerie about it, something not right and I am concerned that my colleagues do not seem to have a problem with it." He highlighted the need for major changes in healthcare in general and particularly in mental health, but these could only come about if the public seriously challenged the medical profession.
No tests, he said, existed for the diagnosis of depression, manic depression, schizophrenia or any major mental illness and there was not enough information on the effects that anti-depressant medications had on the brain.
"I feel we need some sort of public inquiry or independent investigation into mental health care. In my view doctors have inadequate training to be in the front-line in dealing with depression or mental distress." Pointing to evidence which suggested that counselling could be as effective as anti-depressants, Dr Lynch agreed that the whole area of counselling also needed to be harmonised.
World renowned naturopath Mr Jan de Vries told the festival that the high prevalence of cancer in the west of Ireland could be linked to a poor diet combined with increased levels of stress. "If you disturb your diet management, your acid and alkaline balance, and add to this a good dose of stress, it will invariably lead to a breakdown of cells or cell tissue."
Referring to cancer as "cells out of control", Mr de Vries said most cancers today were caused by trauma, worry, dissatisfaction, resentment at work, not being in love and other emotional issues.
He advocated a simple diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables and cutting out cow's milk and cheese because of their carcinogenic properties. The best way to start the day was with a bowl of Irish porridge which, Mr de Vries said, was the best in the world.
