PART 2 : DRUGS versus THERAPY

INXS completed their North American tour on September 27th 1997 in Pittsbough where they appeared on a show with Savage Garden and 10,000 Maniacs.  Shortly afterward Michael took a short break in London before heading to Los Angeles to continue work on his solo album.  While in London he consulted a general practitioner who had been supplying him with Prozac for some time and asked for a referral to a psychiatrist. The doctor referred him to a psychiatrist with a letter stating the following:

"Michael has asked to see you in conjunction with Paula regarding their relationship problems. I have only looked after Michael for the past year and a half and he was taking Prozac 20 to 40 mgs when he first registered with us, so I am not sure of the original indication for treatment. He may wish to discuss his own problems as separate from his relationship with Paula but I will leave that up to him. He is physically well but fairly stressed in his role with Paula's extended family and his re-establishment on tour with INXS. Many thanks for your help."

Both sessions with the psychiatrist consisted of Michael relaying his deep concerns about his frustrations and fears within the relationship with Paula Yates. The ongoing court dates and fighting between Paula and Bob which, he was drawn into were breaking him down and gripped him in a serious depressed state. 

He also had very real concerns about his final tour with INXS. His self esteem had plummeted due to his personal problems and it was a difficult time for him to be on tour, however it was his last tour with the band and felt that he
could not let them down. Michael had two visits with the psychiatrist in London, the first accompanied by Paula. He walked away with a new prescription and no plans to continue therapy.

One month later, on November 22, 1997, Michael took his life.

- Tina Hutchence

When the first pages of this book were written, it was just a thought, a way of trying to understand the reason for this loss, a way to work through my grief and the pain of losing Michael and the way it happened.

I kept thinking that if he had a serious illness then maybe I could have come to terms with this tragedy, but that wasn't the case-or so I told myself. However, the truth is that depression is an illness more debilitating than one easily detected by a physical injury or a painful illness. And I understand this much more now, because since November 22 1997, I too experienced its grip. My depression was so debilitating that I could not get out of bed- I could not walk or even move without enduring excruciating physical pain.

- Patricia Glassop

Some Facts About Antidepressants

Most patients who go on antidepressants take on a feeling of 'well being' in a very short time. Many of these patients consider psychotherapy and learning skills to deal with their problems and consequent depression a waste of time. Many even go off their medication because they are feeling so good.

Obviously patients who learn skills to deal with their depression are more likely to recover and stay well. Even to those outside of the medical profession, it would make sense for a person suffering from depression - mild or severe - to see a therapist who can teach the sufferer skills to alleviate 'the blues' and the anxieties and self destructive behaviour that can go along with it.

During the 90's SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, were touted as the 'wonder drugs'; sure to take care of those suffering from mild to severe depression. It has since been discovered that this is not the case.

In a 2002 study conducted at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and the University of Pennsylvania, researchers discovered that although patients using SSRI medication along with therapy got better faster (usually a feeling of well being within three weeks); after four months most of the patients on psychotherapy only, were at the same level without the added pressure of going off medication. In a follow up, patients who had undergone behavioural therapy had the tools to deal with their depression and therefore fared much better.

Personally, I think it criminal for anyone in the medical field to prescribe an antidepressant without the assurance that the patient is attending therapy to learn the skills needed to continue outside the medication. Even if it means that the patient must attend his/her weekly therapy in order to receive the next allotment of pills.

- Tina Hutchence