Commercial
How do the commercials differ when discussing side effects? Why?
Commercial 2 discusses the side effects in depth, second one does not; scenes differ as well.
Want to make it appealing to gain capital.
How does the commercial 1 appeal to those with mental health issues?
Is the current clinical trial period for psychotropic medications sufficient to approve of the safety of these medications?
No!
Most psychotropic medications are tested for around 3 weeks maximum before they are approved by the FDA
This is not sufficient time to observe the possible side effects that might arise from the use of these medications, especially over long periods of time such as in months or years.
Is it ethical for parents to refuse giving their children psychotropic medications?
Arguments for both sides
Welfare programs for children in foster care
Would individuals think twice before using medication instead of getting to the root causes when viewing commercial one? Why?
Yes!
Understand that everyone has a different and complex path when it comes to mental health.
Not a one pill fits all scenario.
They just want to appeal to everyone. A generalization of everyone to make an easy profit.
What is behavioural economics?
studies the effects of psychological, cognitive, emotional, cultural and social factors on the economic decisions of individuals and institutions and how those decisions vary from those implied by classical theory.
Why is overprescription an issue especially in psychiatry?
Failure to understand the root causes and the need for some way to “deal” with the issue
Many people who don’t suffer from any mental illnesses are prescribed psychotropic medication upon any slight “abnormal” behaviour.
Big Pharma Companies market the medications they produce not only to the patients but to the doctors prescribing it to patients as well.
How are psychiatric medications influencing the lives of patients and their families?
Constraint
Lost control of who they are and who they wanted to be
Addicted. Can’t live on without the drugs. Don’t feel capable or sometimes human
Increase and cause new unwanted symptoms and side effects worse than what they started with
Keeps getting worse over time
Hard to get out of this cycle as it becomes an addiction
Commercial 2 is honest about the complex issues regarding mental health, how may this effect marketing?
Marketing will go down as individuals will realize their mental health differs from everyone.
Medication may not be needed.
- Root causes
Why are side effects not discussed in depth?
- make it marketable
- appealing
- solution
Why are patients persuaded by physicians and pharmaceutical companies?
The claim that one pill can solve all their problems
Lack of patient education about the side effects and consequences from using such medications
Disparity of patients
Longing for acceptance in society which treats them as outcasts
Psychological appeal in marketing and commercialization
Why does commercial one avoid discussing the complex issues of mental health in an economic perspective?
Many answers.
- To appeal to and provide a every consumer whether their issue is acute or extreme
- gain capital from all the individuals they are appealing to.
Why does commercial 2 emphasize welfare programs?
- Further expand from funding of these programs
- adhere to everyone
- accessible
- profit for the companies
How does the commercial appeal to those in vulnerable situations?
- generalize everyone to where everyone feels they fit into this category.
- could be happier than they currently are
How should medication or treatment for mental health be marketed?
open to the audience
How does commercial 1 make a profit when compared to commercial 2?
- appeals to everyone! including those in welfare programs. Welfare programs provide them with revenue for further expansion.
- commercial 2 shows that everyones path is a unique journey and requires different treatment. Welfare programs will not always be able to adhere to this so provides a one fit all solution for those in financial struggles.
What perspective does this discipline provide?
- an understanding of how companies market to patients.
- able to understand the decisions of both the companies and public choice.
Why would commercials not be completely honest?
- capitalization
- profits
- appeal to a large group of people
Further research question?
- Understanding when medication is needed is vital to the development of children. If misdiagnosed or given too much medication at a young age overall health can be at major risk.
- Further investigation into the long term effects on individuals taking psychiatric drugs.
- no interviews on positive effects in this documentary