doctor/patient ethics

[eighty6lovelush]

Hi.  I have a friend who suffers from anxiety.  And he has been on lexapro for it.  My question is this:  Is it unethical for him to recieve this drug from his Father?  His father is a doctor.  I seem to think that his father would be somewhat bias in this kind of diagnosis.  Also, my friend has trouble staying on it, and does not see any other profesional about his condition.  Is that normal for anxiety?  Or should he be in some kind of therapy?

thanks for your time.

[crystalfresh]

Depends on the relationship they have. The father would need to medicate based on facts and not emotions. It can be great and it can be bad too. Depends on them.

[eighty6lovelush]

I aggree with everything you just said.  I will continue to "gently" encourage, although I fear it will not have the desired effect.  My friend is convinced that his father is the only medical person who can help him.  I just hope they are open and honest enough with eachother to eventually get the situation under control.  When I last had this disscussion with him he accused me of questioning his father's ethics, which I had no intention of doing, of course.  I just want the best for him.  Thank you for your very helpful advice.  :)

[nursegirl6572]

I personally am not a big fan of physicians prescribing meds for family and friends...especially when it comes to something for depression./anxiety.  ONE reason being...is the follow up isn't going to necessarily be too accurate.  Most people aren't going to open up and be 100% honest with someone involved in their life like they would be with a 3rd party professional.  And, also...it adds to the impression that the pill is all it is going to take....like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.

It is much more effective to have the pt be properly diagnosed and treated thoroughly....as in with therapy.  I understand your friend isn't very open to the idea....but he may be in time....and I have doubts that he will discuss it with his Dad.  I personally think it would be better if perhaps his Dad referred him to a psychiatrist who could tend to his needs as a whole package deal.

His Dad just prescribing him an anti-depressant isn't the answer, IMO.  

Also...his Dad most definitely would be biased in being able to properly diagnose his son....for many reasons...again, like I said above...one being the son's likely lack of being totally forthright with him about what's going on.

Hopefully you can gently encouarge him to seek some more definitive and appropraite care.  I'm sure his Dad has the best of intentions...but sometimes just do not realize how it could be more of a hiniderance than a help.  

Now.....for a physician to diagnose and treat something concrete like an ear infection....or bronchitis...totally different story....much more appropriate...HOWEVER...I still am uncomfortable with physicians MAKING A HABIT of taking on the role as the "as needed" doc for family and friends.  It can become a slippery slope.

Good luck and let us know how he is doing.

[eighty6lovelush]

Thank you for your comment.  I really do want him to be monitored more, but he is very stubborn.  I have recommended therapy and have only been met with resistance.  I love him very much, I just want him to be okay and also be responsible about it.

[kristine9190]

I am a huge advocate for therapy. It helped me a ton, they teach you so many coping skills and it is just nice to talk with someone about the things that make you anxious.

As far as his Father prescribing the Lexapro, I guess if he is a Dr than it seems OK, but I guess my question would be how much he is being monitored. I see my Dr. pretty frequently, she likes to see how I am doing on the medicine and be sure that it is working well for me. If his Dad is doing the same, than I guess it is OK. Not sure on that, might be a better question for someone in the medical field to answer.

But I defintely suggest therapy!

Good Luck!