Posted by Elizabeth on December 28, 2001, at 14:03:58
In reply to What do you guys think about Dr. Phelp's Site?, posted by spike4848 on December 20, 2001, at 18:42:46
> So, does anyone have an opinion about Dr. Phelp and his web site www.psycheducation.org?
I think a lot of what he has to say is pretty reasonable. I just looked at a small part of his site, so I can't vouch for the whole thing, but what I read seemed to be generally accurate. I like that he has a lot of links to other sites. I also think his site is well-organized, a feature that is lacking in many web sites! Something that I really respect is his willingness to acknowledge that his opinions are just opinions and that others disagree. It's pretty rare to find an "expert" who thinks and talks this way. I like that he discusses both sides of the issues.
> Specifically, What do you people think about the idea that up to 40% of depressed people are bipolar and should not be on any antidepressants?
That's probably an overstatement, just in terms of the percentages, but I also think that a lot of bipolar patients need ADs as well as mood stabilizers (although ADs alone are probably a bad idea). In any case, I don't think that was what he was saying -- I think he said that the controversy is about using ADs *alone* in people with bipolar or "bipolar spectrum" disorders.
He seems pretty cool, overall. I don't think he's very in touch with some of the problems that patients experience, but pshrinks seldom are. (This is one of many reasons I admire Dr. Bob for setting up this board -- hopefully, he gets to see things from our perspective by reading some of the posts here.)
It's an interesting site, and unusual in many ways. Thank you for pointing me to it.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:87568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/88051.html