Stigma

摘要

We are all aware of the notion of stigmaattached to seeing a psychiatrist. We allhave tried to refer patients to psychiatrists,only to have the patient refuse. Yet recentlythe SSRI anti-depressants and thebenzodiazepine anxiolytics have transformedthe treatment of depression andanxiety in the US partly because thesedrugs are so easy to use, and partly becausepatients are willing to take medicationsfor psychiatric reasons, so long as anon-psychiatrist prescribes the drugs.