Welcome to the July 2009 issue of the Psychology Debunked newsletter!
Continuing our focus on ways we can improve our marriages, here is Commandment #6 of our "Ten Commandments of a Blessed Marriage:"
6. Don't be defensive. This is a symptom of self-preservation and is of the flesh, not of God. Defensiveness only causes more strife. Instead of defending yourself, take up your cross and have compassion for your mate.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these witness against thee?
Mat 26:63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Why should we need to defend and justify ourselves to our spouses when we are already justified in the sight of God? God is more pleased with our self-sacrifice, mercy and compassion, than He is with our self-justification and need to be right. The next time you want to put up your defenses, take up your cross. Your flesh won't like it, but God will be pleased, as will your spouse.
This month in the news, Obama's healthcare plan a windfall for all things psych; Michael Jackson's drug-related death; more pharma influence in med schools and DSM committees; TIME coverage of the Mother's Act; Virginia Tech shooter medical records found; Dr. Breggin on "medication spellbinding;" more from Victor Storkel on psychology versus the Bible; and don't miss this month's Q&A on dealing with jealousy biblically.
We hope you enjoy the issue!
Justified in Christ,
Lisa and Ryan Bazler
Obama's healthcare reform bill gives blank check to psycho-pharma complex
This CCHR alert summarizes the dangerous and costly psych-specific, tax-payer funded programs contained in Obama's healthcare reform bill. Among them are recognition of mental disorders as equivalent to physical ones for insurance purposes; unlimited mental health benefits; more mental health screening programs at schools and homes; and even "para-professionals" to increase the ranks of the mental health police in our new Obama state. more »
Michael Jackson was on a lethal drug cocktail
"When Michael died he was on a lethal cocktail of drugs. The deadly mix included painkillers, anti-depressants, muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety pills. The full list of drugs he was on were Vicodin, Dialudid, Xanax, Soma, Prilosec, Paxil, Demerol and Zoloft." more »
Pharma conflicts of interest: med schools and the new DSM-V
Senator Chuck Grassley is following up on the American Medical Student Association's PharmFree Scorecard 2009 report, which asked "medical schools for information about their policies for conflicts of interest and requirements for disclosure of financial relationships between faculty members and the pharmaceutical industry." The results?
"Of the 149 schools asked, 126 provided information to the AMSA. The Scorecard 2009 was released on June 16, 2009. Thirty-five schools, or 23%, received an F. Seventeen got a D, 18 received a C, 36 were graded B, and only 9 schools received an A.
"'There’s a lot of skepticism about financial relationships between doctors and drug companies,' Grassley said in a press release." more »
Med school professors aren't the only ones with their hands in pharma's cookie jar. It seems the APA still hasn't been able to find non-biased sources for the new DSM-V bible of mental disorders since the DSM-IV was released, when 100% of the manual's depression, bipolar and schizophrenia experts were on drug company payrolls. With the DSM-V task force, they've managed to get down to 90% for these disorders, and 68% overall.Could this explain why the DSM gets more and more disorders with each edition? more »
As more mothers murder their children, controversial Mother's Act gets mass media attention
Virginia Tech shooter's missing medical records found... stashed in psychiatrist's home
When we heard that a student had mass-murdered 30 people on campus, we knew psychiatric drugs were involved, and so did the powers behind them--so much so, that Cho's medical records were mysteriously lost, until now.more »
Dr. Breggin: How Psych Drugs Cause Violence, Suicide and Crime
"Over the years as a psychiatrist I've evaluated innumerable cases of individuals who have been driven over the edge by psychiatric drugs. Many of these men, women and children were evaluated for legal cases but others were not. When I was re-evaluating about a hundred of these real-life stories for my latest book, 'Medication Madness: The Role of Psychiatric Drugs in Cases of Violence, Suicide and Crime,' I began to see a pattern that I call medication spellbinding. Technically, the new scientific concept is called intoxication anosognosia: not knowing that you are intoxicated.
"Medication spellbinding has four basic effects..."more »
"See and ask for the ancient paths," exhorts the prophet Jeremiah
This post from the Association of Biblical Counselors web site reminds us to go back to the basics of our Christian life for answers and rest. Treading the paths of psychological help only detours us from the true source of life.more »
The Bible and Psychology: What Does God Say About Solving Man's Problems?
Q&AThis reader asks,"How do you deal with jealousy from a biblical perspective?"See our answer here.
Letters
This reader discovered the simple truth that abiding in Jesus Christ could conquer his bipolar tendencies. He now ministers to others through speaking and writing.more »
"...some people become so medication spellbound that they lose control of themselves and perpetrate horrendously destructive actions... Particularly striking to me, of those who have survived, none of the people I have evaluated has ever perpetrated again after stopping the offending medication. There has been zero recidivism in the cases I have evaluated and who have stopped taking the medication.
"It's important to understand that all psychoactive substances impair higher brain function and with that they impair judgment. People who are a little tipsy on alcohol or a little high on marijuana may experience it as enjoyable. Similarly, people who take psychiatric drugs may experience relief from emotional anesthesia or an artificial high on an antidepressant, tranquilizer, or stimulant. Or they may get some relief from the lobotomizing effect of an antipsychotic drug or the blunting impact of a mood stabilizer. In every case, the seeming improvement is a manifestation of brain dysfunction, and judgment is always impaired." --Psychiatrist Dr. Peter Breggin
"Psychology tells us that God is wrong. Man's biggest problem is not sin and death, but mental illness, low self esteem, etc., etc. Depending on which 'psychological expert' you consult, you get a different answer. But God's Word still stands as THE ONLY trustworthy source of truth. (Ps.119:160; Jn.14:6)
"So it comes down to this. Believe God or believe man. You CAN'T believe both.
"When Elijah faced the prophets of Baal, (I Kings18:21) he told the people of God, 'How long will you hesitate between TWO opinions?' Notice, there were only two groups and two choices, not three. There was the 100% for God group and the 100% for Baal group. There was NO 50% God and 50% Baal group. From God's perspective you are either wholly on HIS side, or your on the other side.
"Jesus said, there is no neutral ground. 'He who is not with Me, is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.' (Mt.12:30)
"Decide this day whom you will believe and follow, God or man." --Victor Storkel
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The mission of this ministry is to inform mental sufferers and those from whom they seek help of the physical, mental and spiritual dangers of mental health disorders and treatments, and to encourage them to pursue a drug-free, psychology-free, Christ-centered life. Visitors to this web site taking psychotropic drugs who wish to discontinue use are strongly advised to consult a qualified physician for assistance and supervision before starting the discontinuation process. This ministry and web site provides information to help visitors make the most informed decisions about their mental health, and should not replace the advice of a medical doctor.
