Many Popular Beliefs About Allergies Aren't Supported by the Evidence

>First-generation antihistamines include medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), brompheniramine, doxylamine, chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine, and promethazine.

>First-generation antihistamines have a longer onset and shorter duration of action with less efficacy than second-generation antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), desloratadine (Clarinex), fexofenadine (Allegra), and>loratadine (Claritin).

Boo for me, then. I must be some sort of rare creature. For me, all those second generation antihistamines might as well be sugar pills, except for cetirizine, which might have a tiny impact (and possibly none at all). On the other hand, chlorpheniramine has a very noticeable effect, although I agree it is short-lived (I have to take it three times per day).

Big pharma has taken advantage of the allergy.

there is always someone who takes 50 drugs because of an allergy. How do they know its not somatic

cough and colds and sneezes are big money. Psychological symptoms manufactured into somatic illnesses and then hypochondriasis.

look at the incredible increase in psychiatric drug use since the 60's. And they still dont work. dare I say paradoxical reaction.

Its Ok, I have only spent 25 years of my life sitting opposite the very same people that I am talking about. Listening to their stories.

So, my dear patient, why are you taking ant-depressants? because my GP prescribed them. A no mark GP who has had no psychological training.

This is probably in part the result of the move towards a very biological model of psychiatry that began with the development of the first generation of psychotropic drugs in the 1960s, and which was granted ‘official’ status with the publication of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM III ) classification in 1980.

This is the psychiatric classification system of the American Psychiatric Association and has become the dominant model worldwide. It involved a paradigm shift which left very little place for psychological models in the understanding of mental disorders, and even less for the most complicated elements of this understanding.

just look at those names! a huge list of drugs that do nothing!

placebo created the allergy and placebo reduces the symptoms. the human brain is an amazing thing.

what has the human race become? when most people spend their entire lives taking and looking for a fucking pill to solve their problems.