If ever I held doubt that the medical profession holds power over its patients, a client I call Terry dispelled it. She had been taking anti-depressant medication for years despite her ambivalence about doctors and its benefits. She was also in psychotherapy, making progress with significant issues in her life. Even though she felt much better, the prescribing physician advised her to continue with medication. Three days before Christmas Terry ran out of the pills and did not renew the prescription. By Christmas Eve, she was experiencing symptoms—heart palpitations and anxiety—and on Christmas Day she sought out a pharmacy hoping to get even one pill to carry her through to the next day when her usual pharmacy was open. A pharmacist cooperated and gave her a supply. Terry left the store, got into her car, and swallowed a pill. It was only halfway down her throat when her symptoms disappeared.
Evelyn Sommers (Sat,) studied this question.