Dimensions

PlumX

How to Cite
Hidalgo Ramírez, F., Contreras Landgrave, G., Santos Monroy, A., & Flores Pérez, V. (2024). The fine line between alleviating and masking: Ethical reflections on the use of psychotropic drugs in mental health. Saluta, 1(10). https://doi.org/10.37594/saluta.v1i10.1399
License terms

Manuscripts sent to SALUTA Magazine must be original and unpublished and must not be simultaneously in the process of publication in other magazines, compilations or any other means of publication. The content of the publications and the links suggested in them are the sole responsibility of the authors and not of the METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(UMECIT) or the magazine SALUTA. They are protected by international copyright laws as well as the logos of UMECIT AND SALUTA MAGAZINE, hence their reproduction is totally prohibited. The copyright will belong to the UMECIT.

Under a Creative Commons Attribution License  authors may share work with acknowledgment of authorship of the work and initial publication in this journal.

                                                               

Abstract

The overuse of psychotropic drugs in mental health raises ethical dilemmas in a context of seeking immediate relief and reassurance. While these medications alleviate symptoms, their long-term effects and the risk of masking underlying problems can be a concern. The influence of hypermodernity in the world's societies prioritizes instant gratification, reflected in contemporary culture and in the excessive prescription of psychotropic drugs, patients who come to first level medical consultation or also called general care, should be channeled to a mental health specialist and not only medicated to appease the discomfort of stress, anxiety and depression, which can manifest in insomnia, irritability, lack of motivation, etc.. This trend is problematic, especially when professionals lack mental health expertise. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this phenomenon, highlighting the need to consider therapeutic alternatives. While psychotropic drugs are useful, their prescription must be ethical and complemented by psychotherapy. It is important to adopt a holistic and patient-centered approach to ensure quality mental health care. This approach not only addresses immediate symptoms, but also treats the underlying symptoms, thus promoting possible holistic and sustainable wellness for patients.

Keywords:

References

Casas I, Casas D, Contreras G, Rodriguez A. El cuerpo, hipermodernidad y medicina. Medicina e Investigación. 2013;1(2):95–8. (8)

Casas PD, Torres RA, Oliveira C da CC, Contreras LG, Martinez MM de los Á. La práctica médica en la hipermodernidad. Ciencia desde el Occidente. 2015;2(2). (3)

Cunya HD, Inca SJJ. Psicofármacos más Dispensados y Trastornos Psiquiátricos más. [Lima Perú]: Universidad Norbert Wiener; 2022. (11)

del Carpio OPS, Estrada ER, Hernández YQ, Gallegos M, Martino P, Calandra M, et al. Mental health in the Mexican population due to COVID-19. Bol Malariol Salud Ambient. 2022 Jul 1;62(4):686–95. (6)

Franco MAF. Los efectos de la intervención a través de la medicina psiquiátrica en la salud mental del sujeto: Revisión documental. Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios; 2023. (13)

García DS, De Nicolás VM, Diéguez VC, Fernández MP, Suárez GP, Navarro RY. Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the prescription of benzodiazepines. Aten Primaria. 2023 Mar 1;55(3). (7)

Holst J. Global Health - Emergence, hegemonic trends and biomedical reductionism. Vol. 16, Globalization and Health. BioMed Central Ltd.; 2020. (12)

Hueso HH. Psicoterapias y/o Psicofármacos. 2001 [cited 2024 Apr 12]; Available from: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=1227924 (4)

Jauregui BI. Disquisiciones sobre el uso y abuso de opiáceos y otros psicofármacos. El caso de Islandia [Internet]. 2020. Available from: http://www.psicologiajauregui.com (10)

Quispe-Turpo F, Huanco-Condori J, Cruzado L. Inappropriate use of prescribed psychotropic drugs: Intravenous diazepam in the psychiatric emergency. Rev Neuropsiquiatr. 2021 Jun 1;84(2):138–43. (1)

Sirera PJ. El psicólogo en atención primaria: un debate necesario en el sistema de salud [Internet]. 2008. Available from: http://www.cop.es/papeles (5)

Tamés E. Lipovetsky: Del vacío a la hipermodernidad. Revista Tiempo Cariátide [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2024 May 15];47–51. Available from: https://www.uam.mx/difusion/casadeltiempo/01_oct_nov_2007/casa_del_tiempo_eIV_num01_47_51.pdf (2)

Torres RA, Patiño CD, Landgrave CG, Ruano CL. De la enfermología a la salutogénesis: conceptos teóricos en la búsqueda de la salud como derecho universal. Revista Médica de la Universidad de Costa Rica [Internet]. 2015;9(2):1–9. Available from: www.revistamedica.ucr.ac.cr (9)

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Cited by

##cited.by##