Hi SS
it seems in general doctors are much less aware of the nature of the drugs they prescribe. they only know what the drug companies tell them. while the problem is especially bad among general practitioners, its also getting worse with specialists. i can only imagine it has a lot to do with all the new drugs coming out every day for conditions we've never heard of until they invented a drug to treat it. combine that with aggressive sales techniques and overbooked doctors who hustle as many patients through their doors on a daily basis as is humanely possible and you end up with a 'scrip happy doc who is happy to solve whatever ails ya in 5 minutes. also keep in mind that if they admit there is a problem with withdrawal, they set themselves up for litigation (what did they know and when did they know it?). i think most docs have their head in the sand. i don't think its malicious, but when there is a bandwagon rolling across the planet, its easy to justify "that's the way its always been done"
in the case of psychiatrists, drugs are ALL they do! they are not therapists. they don't do counseling. they aren't certified for that (nor are they interested). they only prescribe drugs. if you go to a psychiatrist you will walk out with a 'scrip. if they have nothing to prescribe, they don't have you as a patient, unlike a GP or cardiologist who may recommend diet and exercise before putting you on a statin. that is why so many psychiatrists have the "on it for life" philosophy about psychoactive drugs. they don't worry about withdrawal because they don't have any intention of taking you off a med - just cross tapering to a brand new med when your current one turns generic. <sigh>
doctors also like to give the excuse that their patients expect them to give them a drug so they have to write a 'scrip for something. that's their go-to explanation when it comes to the over prescription of antibiotics.
i think the development and hard core sales of psychoactive drugs have really exposed the dark side of big pharma. there is no doubt the industry has developed drugs that are saving lives - but many of those don't make them any money. of course, antidepressants have saved lives - but if they were only prescribed to those who were suicidal, or suffering from chronic disabling severe depression, big pharma would not make money either. as a result, they are pushing doctors to recommend them to their patients for whom therapy would be more appropriate - or at least a best first line treatment. unfortunately, in this day and age of "positive outcomes" reimbursements to doctors by insurance companies and government healthcare systems, drugs are easier. its also true that patients don't want to take responsibility for their own health outcomes and do the hard work - which is why we have so many drugs to treat self-inflicted health conditions. its easier to pop a pill then change health habits or spend an hour a week or hour a month in a therapist's office who forces us to confront our irrational thoughts and challenge our negative thinking.
medical science has learned that SNRI's like cymbalta can also treat pain. with the prescription opioid addiction crisis and additional regulatory pressure on doctors, cymbalta/duloxetine seems to be the go-to alternative. until more people kill themselves, the SSRI/SNRI withdrawal crises will not be addressed. since cymbalta dependency does not produce the "drug seeking" behavior that opioids do - its not considered an addiction.
and that is why "medical doctor tells me to quit cold turkey and my last psychiatrist does the every other day thing and them not know how bad that is for you."
its been 18 months since i went cold turkey. i did a very quick every other day thing before jumping off. the physical stuff is over but i still work on my anxiety, every - single - day.