----- Original Message -----
From: Gary Kohls
To: Gary Kohls
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:56 AM
Subject: PPEN # 338: Why Psychiatric Drugs Are Always Bad
Preventive Psychiatry E-Newsletter # 338
Why Psychiatric Drugs Are Always Bad
By Douglas C. Smith, MD
From www.psychrights.org/index.htm
I no longer recommend psychiatric medications to anyone.
This seems radical in this country because we are in the midst of
the "biological revolution." Everyone seems to assume medications
are specifically effective for various mental illnesses which are at
least in part chemical or genetic in origin. I believe the science
behind this is seriously flawed. It is based on false assumptions
that lead to self-perpetuating mythology (and huge profits for drug
companies).
I first gave up on tranquilizers, then antidepressants, then all
psychiatric drugs. I learned that there are certain general
principles that govern all psychoactive substances and biological
treatments.
General Principles:
1) "Mental illnesses," even severe ones, are relational (I'd say
spiritual as well). Psychiatry, by focusing almost exclusively on
biology, is making itself increasingly irrelevant.
2) Psychoactive substances provide, at best, temporary relief, but
always make things worse in the long run. They make things worse
directly (chemically) and indirectly by distracting from the real
issues.
3) All psychoactive substances have rebound and withdrawal-related
problems.
"Relapse" rates, in general, during withdrawal from psychiatric
drugs, are about 10 times higher than would be expected if the drug
had never been taken.
4) "All biopsychiatric treatments share a common mode of action -
the disruption of normal brain function."* Drugs never correct
imbalances. They never improve the brain. They "work" by impairing
the brain and dampening feelings in various ways.
*from Peter Breggin, MD, Brain Disabling Treatments in Psychiatry,
Springer Pub. Co., 1997, p. 3.
The author, Douglas C. Smith, completed his psychiatry training in
1990 and is board certified in psychiatry. He currently lives and
practices in Juneau, Alaska. He is a member of the International
Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology.
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