Understanding the Risks of Polypharmacy and the Impact of Avoiding Pain

Polypharmacy, the practice of prescribing multiple medications, especially in cases of severe mental illness, can lead to complicated drug interactions and adverse effects. The overreliance on medications in the healthcare system, due to a lack of psychosocial support, results in patients being on numerous medications, which is recognized as suboptimal. To address this issue, some patients are admitted to hospitals to discontinue all medications and start anew. This process can be challenging and uncomfortable for patients during the withdrawal period. Moreover, the book discusses how the obsession with avoiding discomfort and pain, whether physical or mental, can lead to unhappiness. Pleasure and pain are processed in the same areas of the brain, and the pursuit of pleasure through activities triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with rewards.