"The lesson [Henry David Thoreau] had taught himself, and which he tried to teach others, was summed up in the one word 'Simplify.' That meant simplify the outward circumstances of your life, simplify your needs and your ambitions; learn to delight in the simple pleasures which the world of Nature affords. It meant also, scorn public opinion, refuse to accept the common definitions of success, refuse to be moved by the judgment of others. And unlike most who advocate such attitudes, he put them into practice." (Walden and Other Writings by Henry David Thoreau--Edited and with an Introduction by Joseph Wood Krutch, Bantam Books, 1962, P. 1)

Monday, April 7, 2008

David Ragsdale's Medications

Having BiPolar Disorder myself, I am a believer in medications for psychiatric conditions. I have experienced for myself their positive effects. I have also experienced some negative side-effects, including uncharacteristic behavior, triggered by medications which were a bad match for my personal system. I have been fortunate to be under the care of very capable professionals who have monitered well my reactions. All that being so, I found this article regarding the medications David Ragsdale may have been taking at the time of his murder of his wife Kristy interesting.

I certainly agree with this particular passage from The Daily Herald:

"Psychiatric disorders are very real disorders," Yau said. "There is a scientific base for treating psychiatric disorders with medications. Problems have come from people who do not believe psychiatric disorders are real, or it's just a matter of someone not choosing the right lifestyle."

Despite the bad press that his profession sometimes receives, Paulson pointed out that great strides have been made in the field of psychiatry over the past 15-20 years. Patients who would have been confined to mental institutions several decades ago are now leading productive lives thanks to psychiatric medications.

"There's a number of people with severe mental illness like schizophrenia that are actually able to hold down jobs and function in family life, which was inconceivable before," he said.

Many people may have already formed opinions on whether it was Ragsdale or his medications that were responsible for the death of his wife. Without analyzing him personally, Grosser, Peterson, Paulson and Yau were unwilling to venture a guess on whether his family's claims were true, or even whether they are plausible.

"I don't think anyone would put themselves in such a position to make such a response on just knowing about it from the news," Yau said. "Human beings are so complex, whether you're on medication or not on medication."


I am very thankful that I do not have to be a judge in this matter. Only God can truly know our hearts and our powers of agency.
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