It has long been a fact that the use of psych drugs can disqualify you for military service. One of the shooters in the Columbine Massacre school disaster had tried to get into the Army and had been turned down because he was on Luvox. But apparently once you're in, the Army has a different attitude. The current controversy is based on the Army taking psychotic soldiers, giving them psych drugs, and putting them back on the front line, where they become dangerous "loose cannons" (almost literally).
The following two quotes are from a Los Angeles Times article, "U.S. Redeploying Troops with Mental Health Issues":
"I can't imagine something more irresponsible than putting a soldier suffering from stress on [antidepressants], when you know these drugs can cause people to become suicidal and homicidal," said Vera Sharav, president of the watchdog Alliance for Human Research Protection. "You're creating chemically activated time bombs."
Sgt. Syverson, back in Kuwait after a breakdown, in an e-mail to his family: "Nearly died...out here on a nice and really mild night because of the medication that I am taking. Head about to explode from the blood swelling inside, the lightning storm that happened in my head, the blurred vision, confusion, dizziness and a whole lot more."
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
A Little Paxil Story...
Maybe it isn't so hard to understand why GlaxoSmithKline is bending over backwards to work with the FDA on warning the public about Paxil. Amongst the group of psych drugs known as SSRIs (like Prozac, Zoloft etc.) Paxil is definitely the baddest bad boy of them all. Web sites supporting Paxil victims are rife with horror stories. Click here to hear one of them in the form of a video -- it's a news article by a Texas news station.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
In a sharp turnabout from the usual behavior of Big Pharma companies, GlaxoSmithKline is participating with the FDA to disseminate the data that their version of the Prozac prototype, Paxil, may raise the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults. This is commendable, at least on the surface, because Big Pharma has been stiff-arming any attempt to get them to admit their putting out drugs that kill rather than cure.
It smells a lot like the period when the tobacco companies realized they were going to go down. They began to promote themselves as concerned about young people taking up smoking and so forth.
I don't think this is going to start a stampede this week amongst Big Pharma robber barons to step up to the responsibility of admitting their crimes, but sooner or later there will be just such a rush to appear to be concerned and responsible. It will happen when they realize that the public has discovered that the emperor has no clothers and that they are navigating the fine line between mere fiscal responsibility on one hand, and criminal responsibility on the other.
It smells a lot like the period when the tobacco companies realized they were going to go down. They began to promote themselves as concerned about young people taking up smoking and so forth.
I don't think this is going to start a stampede this week amongst Big Pharma robber barons to step up to the responsibility of admitting their crimes, but sooner or later there will be just such a rush to appear to be concerned and responsible. It will happen when they realize that the public has discovered that the emperor has no clothers and that they are navigating the fine line between mere fiscal responsibility on one hand, and criminal responsibility on the other.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Psychology Goes To The Dogs
Not content with imposing their failed methods on mankind, psychologists have begun extending their travesties to the animal world, with the advent of "psychology" for animals.
Perhaps we should applaud this. It is a step up from abusing animals in their ghoulish experiments (ala Pavlov et al) but the latest report in this dark carnival is worthy of note:
According to CNN, California man Flody Suarez is suing the owner of the "Dog Psychology Center", to whom he took his 5-year-old Labrador. The dog apparently suffered from fears of other dogs and strangers.
Apparently the techniques of the dog psychologist, who appears on a regular TV show and calls himself the "Dog Whisperer", left Suarez' lab in intensive care at the veterinarian, "bleeding from his mouth and nose, in an oxygen tent gasping for breath and with severe bruising to his back inner thighs,"
According to the article, "The facility's workers allegedly placed a choke collar on the dog, pulled him onto a treadmill and forced him to "overwork." Suarez says he spent at least $25,000 on medical bills and the dog must undergo more surgeries for damage to his esophagus."
It's too bad Suarez wasn't aware of what psychology does to its human victims. He might have been more chary of trusting his beloved dog to such a charletan. The best expose of psychology and psychiatry is at the CCHR Exhibit "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" in Hollywood.
Perhaps we should applaud this. It is a step up from abusing animals in their ghoulish experiments (ala Pavlov et al) but the latest report in this dark carnival is worthy of note:
According to CNN, California man Flody Suarez is suing the owner of the "Dog Psychology Center", to whom he took his 5-year-old Labrador. The dog apparently suffered from fears of other dogs and strangers.
Apparently the techniques of the dog psychologist, who appears on a regular TV show and calls himself the "Dog Whisperer", left Suarez' lab in intensive care at the veterinarian, "bleeding from his mouth and nose, in an oxygen tent gasping for breath and with severe bruising to his back inner thighs,"
According to the article, "The facility's workers allegedly placed a choke collar on the dog, pulled him onto a treadmill and forced him to "overwork." Suarez says he spent at least $25,000 on medical bills and the dog must undergo more surgeries for damage to his esophagus."
It's too bad Suarez wasn't aware of what psychology does to its human victims. He might have been more chary of trusting his beloved dog to such a charletan. The best expose of psychology and psychiatry is at the CCHR Exhibit "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" in Hollywood.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Kevin Trudeau's "Natural Cures"
One of the most popular and influential authors in the world of alternative solutions to medical problems is Kevin Trudeau, author of the best seller Natural Cures.
One of the points Trudeau makes in his book is the importance of avoiding psychiatric solutions. This is a quote from the book, available at amazon.com:
"Stay away from psychiatrists and psychologists.""Psychiatrists and psychologists do not help the people they treat. Statistics show that the majority of people who are treated by psychiatrists and psychologists actually get worse. Psychiatrists almost always prescribe drugs to their petients. These drugs are some of the most dangerous and deadly pharmaceuticals available today. Did you know that in the last ten years, virtually every violent act committed in schools was perpetrated by a person who either had taken or was currently taking a psychiatric drug? Finally, the research has become so compelling that there are warnings saying that certain psychiatric drugs actually increase the propensity to commit suicide. This is such an important issue that I encourage you to read PSYCHIATRY: THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL [Note: Also available on amazon.com] and if you are still not convinced that psychiatrists and psychologists should be avoided at all costs, I will personally make a donation to the charity of your choice."
One of the points Trudeau makes in his book is the importance of avoiding psychiatric solutions. This is a quote from the book, available at amazon.com:
"Stay away from psychiatrists and psychologists.""Psychiatrists and psychologists do not help the people they treat. Statistics show that the majority of people who are treated by psychiatrists and psychologists actually get worse. Psychiatrists almost always prescribe drugs to their petients. These drugs are some of the most dangerous and deadly pharmaceuticals available today. Did you know that in the last ten years, virtually every violent act committed in schools was perpetrated by a person who either had taken or was currently taking a psychiatric drug? Finally, the research has become so compelling that there are warnings saying that certain psychiatric drugs actually increase the propensity to commit suicide. This is such an important issue that I encourage you to read PSYCHIATRY: THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL [Note: Also available on amazon.com] and if you are still not convinced that psychiatrists and psychologists should be avoided at all costs, I will personally make a donation to the charity of your choice."
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Who's Behind It?
We are now experiencing a huge push for psychiatric evaluation in the school systems. They hope to find, through their minimal little tests, that your child needs some expensive drug like Prozac or Ritalin or Adderal.
No parent really wants their child "evaluated" and possibly labeled for life with a mental health issue, nor do they want to wrestle with this bureaucracy to keep from giving their kids drugs. No politician seems to really be behind it, except for a few rabid pro-pharmaceutical regulars. But it keeps moving forward. What is up with that?
Here's where you can see who's really behind it. Go to http://www.signsofsuicide.org/. The pharmaceutical companies that will benefit from this, known collectively as "Big Pharma" are funding it with millions of dollars. The page has actual documents to prove it.
No parent really wants their child "evaluated" and possibly labeled for life with a mental health issue, nor do they want to wrestle with this bureaucracy to keep from giving their kids drugs. No politician seems to really be behind it, except for a few rabid pro-pharmaceutical regulars. But it keeps moving forward. What is up with that?
Here's where you can see who's really behind it. Go to http://www.signsofsuicide.org/. The pharmaceutical companies that will benefit from this, known collectively as "Big Pharma" are funding it with millions of dollars. The page has actual documents to prove it.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Side Effect Blindness In Big Pharma
Aggressive marketing without regard for the safety of the public is a hallmark of the pharmaceutical drug industry. This poignant article by a former drug company rep illustrates the phenomenon.
After talking one doctor into prescribing a new drug against his better judgment, the rep wound up back in his office bringing a form for him to fill out regarding the life-threatening complications that occurred when he prescribed the drug for one of his patients. "Apparently the company's marketing strategy has been more thoroughly tested than the drug," he told her.
The rest of the site is also interesting.
After talking one doctor into prescribing a new drug against his better judgment, the rep wound up back in his office bringing a form for him to fill out regarding the life-threatening complications that occurred when he prescribed the drug for one of his patients. "Apparently the company's marketing strategy has been more thoroughly tested than the drug," he told her.
The rest of the site is also interesting.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Jeffrey Schaler
At the annual awards dinner of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), the Thomas Szasz (named after the famous critic of psychiatry) was given to Dr. Jeffrey Schaler. You must, must, must listen to his acceptance speech. It is at http://www.cchr.org/uploads/video/dinnerSchaler.wmv
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Demand the FDA Fulfill Its Obligation To Public Safety
I am sending this request to get your assistance on a very vital action that will only take a few minutes of your time. The issue is ADHD drugs. We have received confirmation that many of you have written your letters and THANK YOU. If you haven't yet done it, please write your letter immediately and email me confirmation that you've done it.
Recently, the FDA held hearings on “ADHD” drugs due to numerous reports of hallucinations and psychosis attributed to them. And while the FDA panel did recommend new warning language for these drugs, the panel refused to issue “black box” warnings – the agency’s most severe warning label.
Why? Consider this: There has been a lot of public outcry about millions of children being prescribed ADHD drugs with increasing reports of the drugs causing suicide, psychosis and hallucinations. A few months ago, a leading cardiologist recommended the FDA issue black box warnings due to reports of heart attack, stroke and sudden death from ADHD drugs. So this latest FDA panel --which included psychiatrists with ties to the pharmaceutical industry – had to take some action – so issued increased warning language about the drugs. But why not the black box? Because the FDA appears to be more interested in protecting psychiatric/pharmaceutical interests, than in the public’s interest. When black box warnings are issued, drug manufacturers have to disclose the risks in all advertising.
This is why many of the experts and medical doctors attending the FDA hearing on ADHD drugs called it a sham and said that the FDA yielded to the profit-driven psychiatric/pharmaceutical industry.
The Deputy Director of the Office of Drug Safety himself has stated, “…. products that carry box warnings also have to carry that in their advertising and quite frequently that makes it quite difficult to explicitly advertise that product in direct-to-consumer advertising."
So the issue is simple. Black box warnings mean drug sales go down. The FDA’s own mission statement says it is responsible for “protecting the public health and ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs.” So CCHR is asking everyone to fax letters to the FDA demanding black box warnings on these drugs – and reminding the FDA that they are there to protect the public’s safety and interests–- not psychiatric pharmaceutical interests.
Emails or letters should be sent to the Acting Commissioner of the FDA at:
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.,
Acting Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
Email: andrew.voneschenbach@fda.hhs.gov
(please blind copy your emails to CCHR at fieldactivities@cchr.org
We want to send copies of all these emails to Senator Charles Grassley, the member of Congress who has been addressing the need for oversight of the FDA.
Or you can fax him yourself at 202-224-6020
Senator Charles Grassley
135 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, D.C., 20510-1501
Your help is needed on this. So thanks in advance for your assistance.
Recently, the FDA held hearings on “ADHD” drugs due to numerous reports of hallucinations and psychosis attributed to them. And while the FDA panel did recommend new warning language for these drugs, the panel refused to issue “black box” warnings – the agency’s most severe warning label.
Why? Consider this: There has been a lot of public outcry about millions of children being prescribed ADHD drugs with increasing reports of the drugs causing suicide, psychosis and hallucinations. A few months ago, a leading cardiologist recommended the FDA issue black box warnings due to reports of heart attack, stroke and sudden death from ADHD drugs. So this latest FDA panel --which included psychiatrists with ties to the pharmaceutical industry – had to take some action – so issued increased warning language about the drugs. But why not the black box? Because the FDA appears to be more interested in protecting psychiatric/pharmaceutical interests, than in the public’s interest. When black box warnings are issued, drug manufacturers have to disclose the risks in all advertising.
This is why many of the experts and medical doctors attending the FDA hearing on ADHD drugs called it a sham and said that the FDA yielded to the profit-driven psychiatric/pharmaceutical industry.
The Deputy Director of the Office of Drug Safety himself has stated, “…. products that carry box warnings also have to carry that in their advertising and quite frequently that makes it quite difficult to explicitly advertise that product in direct-to-consumer advertising."
So the issue is simple. Black box warnings mean drug sales go down. The FDA’s own mission statement says it is responsible for “protecting the public health and ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs.” So CCHR is asking everyone to fax letters to the FDA demanding black box warnings on these drugs – and reminding the FDA that they are there to protect the public’s safety and interests–- not psychiatric pharmaceutical interests.
Emails or letters should be sent to the Acting Commissioner of the FDA at:
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.,
Acting Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
Email: andrew.voneschenbach@fda.hhs.gov
(please blind copy your emails to CCHR at fieldactivities@cchr.org
We want to send copies of all these emails to Senator Charles Grassley, the member of Congress who has been addressing the need for oversight of the FDA.
Or you can fax him yourself at 202-224-6020
Senator Charles Grassley
135 Hart Senate Bldg.
Washington, D.C., 20510-1501
Your help is needed on this. So thanks in advance for your assistance.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Legal Help For Psych Victims
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International has a new feature on their www.psychcrime.org website – a section for referral to attorneys.
CCHR is affiliated with the Church of Scientology. To learn more about the church and its social betterment programs, check out the site at Center for Studies on New Religions.
CCHR is contacted regularly by individuals who have been harmed or violated by psychiatry, or whose loved ones have been harmed, damaged or even killed.
For instance, psychiatric drugs are notorious for causing suicidal thoughts and actions. Indeed, thousands of such cases have resulted in compensation to victims. Psychiatrists often take sexual liberties with the patients, even calling it "therapy", causing substantial and indefensible harm.
These victims often seek attorneys and need attorneys to preserve their rights and to seek compensation for damages caused by psychiatric abuses and pharmaceutical injuries. CCHR therefore endeavors to get victims in contact with attorneys who are potentially interested in helping these individuals protect their rights and receive proper restitution for wrongdoing.
Therefore, as a non-profit, public benefit organization, CCHR has developed a section of our website, www.psychcrime.org where abused individuals can post information about the abuse they have been subjected to, sorted by state and type of abuse. Then attorneys can view these files to see if there is someone they feel they could assist. In addition to the cases posted at the time of the section's launch, new cases will be added regularly as we prepare the information from complaints received in recent months, as well as new ones coming in.
If you know individuals who have been abused by psychiatric treatments and are seeking counsel, have them fill out the Abuse Case Form on the website. If you know attorneys who want to assist such abused individuals, please have them fill out the Attorney Form on the site. The attorney's name will then be provided to the potential client.
This service is being offered as a public service and there is no charge for it.
CCHR is affiliated with the Church of Scientology. To learn more about the church and its social betterment programs, check out the site at Center for Studies on New Religions.
CCHR is contacted regularly by individuals who have been harmed or violated by psychiatry, or whose loved ones have been harmed, damaged or even killed.
For instance, psychiatric drugs are notorious for causing suicidal thoughts and actions. Indeed, thousands of such cases have resulted in compensation to victims. Psychiatrists often take sexual liberties with the patients, even calling it "therapy", causing substantial and indefensible harm.
These victims often seek attorneys and need attorneys to preserve their rights and to seek compensation for damages caused by psychiatric abuses and pharmaceutical injuries. CCHR therefore endeavors to get victims in contact with attorneys who are potentially interested in helping these individuals protect their rights and receive proper restitution for wrongdoing.
Therefore, as a non-profit, public benefit organization, CCHR has developed a section of our website, www.psychcrime.org where abused individuals can post information about the abuse they have been subjected to, sorted by state and type of abuse. Then attorneys can view these files to see if there is someone they feel they could assist. In addition to the cases posted at the time of the section's launch, new cases will be added regularly as we prepare the information from complaints received in recent months, as well as new ones coming in.
If you know individuals who have been abused by psychiatric treatments and are seeking counsel, have them fill out the Abuse Case Form on the website. If you know attorneys who want to assist such abused individuals, please have them fill out the Attorney Form on the site. The attorney's name will then be provided to the potential client.
This service is being offered as a public service and there is no charge for it.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Quest for Profit Yields New ADHD Patch
"Main ADHD stimulant more potent than cocaine", says D.E.A.
While billions in tax dollars are paid each year to fight the “War on Drugs,” psychiatrists continue to promote and prescribe addictive mind-altering ADHD drugs to children -- evidenced by the latest "ADHD patch". While two separate FDA panels have warned of ADHD drugs' lethal effects, Australia reported nearly 400 adverse reactions with children as young as 5 suddenly dropping dead and children as young as 7 having heart attacks or strokes caused by ADHD drugs. Many others worldwide suffer induced hallucinations, psychosis, mania or suicidal ideation.
Even the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says Ritalin is more potent than cocaine.
It is appalling that the FDA would allow a new ADHD patch when they should be issuing black box warnings on these addictive life-threatening narcotics known as ADHD drugs.
While billions in tax dollars are paid each year to fight the “War on Drugs,” psychiatrists continue to promote and prescribe addictive mind-altering ADHD drugs to children -- evidenced by the latest "ADHD patch". While two separate FDA panels have warned of ADHD drugs' lethal effects, Australia reported nearly 400 adverse reactions with children as young as 5 suddenly dropping dead and children as young as 7 having heart attacks or strokes caused by ADHD drugs. Many others worldwide suffer induced hallucinations, psychosis, mania or suicidal ideation.
Even the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says Ritalin is more potent than cocaine.
It is appalling that the FDA would allow a new ADHD patch when they should be issuing black box warnings on these addictive life-threatening narcotics known as ADHD drugs.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Canadian School District Bullies Parents On Ritalin
A Quebec schoolboy was suspended for not taking Ritalin. The parents have filed a lawsuit against the school district, and the result is a much needed public inspection of the policies in that district.
According to an article in The Gazette, the attack on these parents when they refused to drug their child was merciless.
In the U.S. we have a shiny new law that prevents school districts from this kind of behavior. But the drug companies are trying to get around it by promoting TeenScreen. Read more about TeenScreen when you get a chance. It's insidious.
According to an article in The Gazette, the attack on these parents when they refused to drug their child was merciless.
In the U.S. we have a shiny new law that prevents school districts from this kind of behavior. But the drug companies are trying to get around it by promoting TeenScreen. Read more about TeenScreen when you get a chance. It's insidious.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thank God For Whistleblowers!
St. Louis, Wednesday, March 29, 2006: The Citizens Commission on Human Rights® of St. Louis (CCHR) filed a complaint against a psychiatrist with the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts in the matter of psychiatric abuse of one of its clients and has just been notified that the psychiatrist has been disciplined
and lost his license.
Ronald P. McPike, D.O., of Bonaparte, Iowa, was engaged in the practice of psychiatry and licensed as a physician in Iowa and Missouri. The Iowa Board of Medical Examiners found that McPike demonstrated serious character deficits which negatively impacted his medical practice; his care and treatment of several of his patients constituted a pattern of professional incompetency and practice harmful to his patients, including inappropriate prescribing practices and inappropriate diagnostic practices. The Board suspended his medical license indefinitely in June, 2005.
In a legal settlement reached in February, 2006, McPike voluntarily surrendered his Missouri license in lieu of disciplinary action based on the findings of fact in the Iowa judgment.
CCHR regularly files complaints with local, state and federal authorities for psychiatric fraud and abuse; in this case, justice has been served and another fraudulent psychiatrist has lost his license to abuse patients.
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights and to clean up the field of mental healing. Today it has more than 130 chapters in 31 countries and is recognized as an authority on psychiatric abuse. CCHR is primarily concerned with psychiatry's fraudulent use of "diagnoses" that are not based on
science or medical criteria. For more information, call the Citizens Commission on Human Rights of St. Louis at (314) 727-8307. To lodge a complaint against a psychiatrist or psychiatric facility for fraud or patient abuse, call (314) 729-2854.
and lost his license.
Ronald P. McPike, D.O., of Bonaparte, Iowa, was engaged in the practice of psychiatry and licensed as a physician in Iowa and Missouri. The Iowa Board of Medical Examiners found that McPike demonstrated serious character deficits which negatively impacted his medical practice; his care and treatment of several of his patients constituted a pattern of professional incompetency and practice harmful to his patients, including inappropriate prescribing practices and inappropriate diagnostic practices. The Board suspended his medical license indefinitely in June, 2005.
In a legal settlement reached in February, 2006, McPike voluntarily surrendered his Missouri license in lieu of disciplinary action based on the findings of fact in the Iowa judgment.
CCHR regularly files complaints with local, state and federal authorities for psychiatric fraud and abuse; in this case, justice has been served and another fraudulent psychiatrist has lost his license to abuse patients.
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights and to clean up the field of mental healing. Today it has more than 130 chapters in 31 countries and is recognized as an authority on psychiatric abuse. CCHR is primarily concerned with psychiatry's fraudulent use of "diagnoses" that are not based on
science or medical criteria. For more information, call the Citizens Commission on Human Rights of St. Louis at (314) 727-8307. To lodge a complaint against a psychiatrist or psychiatric facility for fraud or patient abuse, call (314) 729-2854.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
A Nurse Writes To The Tucson Newspaper
Tucson Citizen (Arizona)
March 24, 2006 Friday
Effects of anti-psychotropic drugs
Re: your Friday article "Kids' anti-psychotic drug use soars":
This article is right on the money to question the use of anti-psychotropic drugs on children.
Considering that this is when the body and nervous system still are developing, even into the early 20s, this is an open case for attorneys to gather the facts and claim doctors are damaging their patients. This trend is already on the market; I have seen advertisements for attorneys taking cases against diabetes-induced side effects of Zyprexa.
As an RN working with our elderly population, I see the effects of long-term anti-psychotics and anti-depressants use.
Central nervous system damage and blunted emotional capability are the obvious.
When family members say to me, "Grandma just isn't herself anymore," and it's timed coincidental to being put on anti-depressants, I shake my head. Families are being robbed of their most cherished memories of a happy, laughing and communicative grandparent who now just lies in bed shaking uncontrollably from effects of anti-psychotics or sleeping most of the time from anti-depressants.
Shame on any program like TeenScreen for even thinking of offering these drugs to children.
(name withheld on this post)
March 24, 2006 Friday
Effects of anti-psychotropic drugs
Re: your Friday article "Kids' anti-psychotic drug use soars":
This article is right on the money to question the use of anti-psychotropic drugs on children.
Considering that this is when the body and nervous system still are developing, even into the early 20s, this is an open case for attorneys to gather the facts and claim doctors are damaging their patients. This trend is already on the market; I have seen advertisements for attorneys taking cases against diabetes-induced side effects of Zyprexa.
As an RN working with our elderly population, I see the effects of long-term anti-psychotics and anti-depressants use.
Central nervous system damage and blunted emotional capability are the obvious.
When family members say to me, "Grandma just isn't herself anymore," and it's timed coincidental to being put on anti-depressants, I shake my head. Families are being robbed of their most cherished memories of a happy, laughing and communicative grandparent who now just lies in bed shaking uncontrollably from effects of anti-psychotics or sleeping most of the time from anti-depressants.
Shame on any program like TeenScreen for even thinking of offering these drugs to children.
(name withheld on this post)
Friday, March 17, 2006
Pops Prozac, Kills Kids
In another classic SSRI murder, David Crespi killed his two kids, a few days after his doctor switched him from Paxil to Prozac. (SSRIs are the class of psych drugs that includes Paxil and Prozac and Zoloft and several other of those depressing "anti-depressant" drugs.)
Crespi lives in North Carolina. He killed his two kids in January. We noticed it in the news and thought "psych drug murder". But there wasn't a word about psych drugs. That happens a lot. There is an attitude that a person's psychiatric history is privileged information. And prosecutors don't like it when the psych drug thing comes out because they feel it makes it harder for them to get a conviction. In this case it was the media who got the scent and convinced the judge to unseal the psych history, over the objections of the prosecutor. There it was -- he's been on psychiatry lines for years. And as is so often the case, he didn't get better -- he got worse. Psychiatrists just haven't figured out how to actually do people any good. So they drug them instead, with SSRIs that make a percentage of them suicidal/homicidal.
In the case of Crespi, he went off Paxil and went on Prozac, and a few days later he killed his kids. Now he's so suicidal they've taken him out of the jail and put him in an asylum where they can keep him under control.
So let's repeat the big Prozac Causes Depression question: If he wasn't killing himself or his kids years ago, and if he's been under the care of psychiatrists ever since, why NOW does he do this? Shouldn't he be better after years of psychiatric care and psychiatric drugs? Of course, Dear Reader, we know better. The psuedo-science of psychiatry is the child of the same nuts that built Hitler's concentration camps and whisked away Russia's dissidents to Siberia on charges of insanity. They don't help people. They certainly didn't help Mr. Crespi -- or his children.
Crespi lives in North Carolina. He killed his two kids in January. We noticed it in the news and thought "psych drug murder". But there wasn't a word about psych drugs. That happens a lot. There is an attitude that a person's psychiatric history is privileged information. And prosecutors don't like it when the psych drug thing comes out because they feel it makes it harder for them to get a conviction. In this case it was the media who got the scent and convinced the judge to unseal the psych history, over the objections of the prosecutor. There it was -- he's been on psychiatry lines for years. And as is so often the case, he didn't get better -- he got worse. Psychiatrists just haven't figured out how to actually do people any good. So they drug them instead, with SSRIs that make a percentage of them suicidal/homicidal.
In the case of Crespi, he went off Paxil and went on Prozac, and a few days later he killed his kids. Now he's so suicidal they've taken him out of the jail and put him in an asylum where they can keep him under control.
So let's repeat the big Prozac Causes Depression question: If he wasn't killing himself or his kids years ago, and if he's been under the care of psychiatrists ever since, why NOW does he do this? Shouldn't he be better after years of psychiatric care and psychiatric drugs? Of course, Dear Reader, we know better. The psuedo-science of psychiatry is the child of the same nuts that built Hitler's concentration camps and whisked away Russia's dissidents to Siberia on charges of insanity. They don't help people. They certainly didn't help Mr. Crespi -- or his children.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Wanna Join The Army? Not If You're On Psych Drugs
Uncle Sam wants you! Unless you're a Ritalin user, that is.
One of several things that will disqualify a young man or woman from military service is use of Ritalin or other psychiatric drugs. Other limitations include severely overweight, specific diseases such as asthma, or a criminal record.
That's interesting company for the Ritalin ban.
You may recall that one of the Columbine School shooters had tried to join the Army but had been rejected because of use of psych drugs.
The Army has the right idea. They avoided a person who was capable of shooting a room full of his friends, then himself. Now if the schools would get the right idea, they'd be safe. There is no place in them for kids who are put on these psychiatric drugs. These drugs are the primary source of the severe decline in safety and discipline in schools.
One of several things that will disqualify a young man or woman from military service is use of Ritalin or other psychiatric drugs. Other limitations include severely overweight, specific diseases such as asthma, or a criminal record.
That's interesting company for the Ritalin ban.
You may recall that one of the Columbine School shooters had tried to join the Army but had been rejected because of use of psych drugs.
The Army has the right idea. They avoided a person who was capable of shooting a room full of his friends, then himself. Now if the schools would get the right idea, they'd be safe. There is no place in them for kids who are put on these psychiatric drugs. These drugs are the primary source of the severe decline in safety and discipline in schools.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Florida Rep Documents Youth Suicides on Antidepressants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FLORIDA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE GUS BARREIRO RELEASES REPORT DOCUMENTING 96 FLORIDA YOUTH SUICIDES LINKED TO PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION
Florida State Representative Gus Barreiro will release a report on a study just completed which documents that 96 Florida children ages 18 and under who used psychotropic drugs, committed suicide over a five year period from 1999 to 2004.
This number represents an astounding 38% of the total youth suicides during that time period.
Rep Barreiro stated, “This report is significant in light of the September 2004 ‘Black Box’ warning given by the FDA for all antidepressant use in children due to the risk that they may cause suicidal behavior. This report suggests that the danger is even worse than indicated by the FDA.”
Additionally, in June 2005 an FDA advisory committee recommended placing warnings of suicidal behavior for children using the popular “ADHD” stimulant medications, which are being given to some 2.5 million children in America today. This report showed 36 children committed suicide while using these drugs, or with a history of using them.
The report states that the percentages may actually be higher as in some cases all information on use or prior history of use of psychiatric drugs was not available.
Rep. Barreiro intends to release the report and accompanying documentation to the press at a press conference at 12 noon, February 23, 2006 on the steps of the old Florida Capitol building. Rep. Barreiro will also be participating in a gathering at the same time and place of a coalition of human rights, education rights and youth rights organizations in support of a bill sponsored by Rep Barreiro in the Florida House and Sen. Victor Crist in the Florida Senate. The bills if passed will guarantee the right to full informed consent for parents whose children are referred for psychological type evaluations through the school system, which commonly result in recommendations that the children be given the type of dangerous psychotropic drugs identified in this report.
“These drugs are dangerous and there is no question that they kill children. Parents need to know the consequences. We fully expect this bill to pass through the legislature this year and we hope that the Governor will sign it into law. It is long past due,” Rep. Barreiro stated.
FLORIDA HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE GUS BARREIRO RELEASES REPORT DOCUMENTING 96 FLORIDA YOUTH SUICIDES LINKED TO PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION
Florida State Representative Gus Barreiro will release a report on a study just completed which documents that 96 Florida children ages 18 and under who used psychotropic drugs, committed suicide over a five year period from 1999 to 2004.
This number represents an astounding 38% of the total youth suicides during that time period.
Rep Barreiro stated, “This report is significant in light of the September 2004 ‘Black Box’ warning given by the FDA for all antidepressant use in children due to the risk that they may cause suicidal behavior. This report suggests that the danger is even worse than indicated by the FDA.”
Additionally, in June 2005 an FDA advisory committee recommended placing warnings of suicidal behavior for children using the popular “ADHD” stimulant medications, which are being given to some 2.5 million children in America today. This report showed 36 children committed suicide while using these drugs, or with a history of using them.
The report states that the percentages may actually be higher as in some cases all information on use or prior history of use of psychiatric drugs was not available.
Rep. Barreiro intends to release the report and accompanying documentation to the press at a press conference at 12 noon, February 23, 2006 on the steps of the old Florida Capitol building. Rep. Barreiro will also be participating in a gathering at the same time and place of a coalition of human rights, education rights and youth rights organizations in support of a bill sponsored by Rep Barreiro in the Florida House and Sen. Victor Crist in the Florida Senate. The bills if passed will guarantee the right to full informed consent for parents whose children are referred for psychological type evaluations through the school system, which commonly result in recommendations that the children be given the type of dangerous psychotropic drugs identified in this report.
“These drugs are dangerous and there is no question that they kill children. Parents need to know the consequences. We fully expect this bill to pass through the legislature this year and we hope that the Governor will sign it into law. It is long past due,” Rep. Barreiro stated.
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Psychological Harm of TeenScreen
Commonwealth Education Organization Editorial in the state of Pennsylvania:
Much has been written about the use of TeenScreen in 9th and 10th grade as a tool for identifying potential suicide victims. A firestorm of objections has come from a cross-section of parents, political, educational, and health professional organizations – from Patch Adams to Phyllis Schlafly.
However, there is a disturbing aspect about the TeenScreen survey that has not been formally addressed by people opposing the use of this invasive screening test, and that is the impact of the questionnaire itself on the child.
For years, public relations experts and media specialist have known that besides gathering information, tests, surveys, and questionnaires also teach.
On the 10 minute TeenScreen “quick mental health check up” survey, a child sits in front of an impersonal computer screen answering questions about his or her worries, fears, family composition, interpersonal relationships, and even drug use.
Then, in an offhanded, abrupt manner, questions such as - Have you ever thought about killing yourself - appear. The unthinkable notion of killing oneself becomes a “thinkable” solution to his/her adolescent pain.
Killing oneself is further pounded into the adolescent psyche with an extended series of questioning on suicidal ideation:
§ Are you still thinking about killing yourself?
§ Have you seriously thought about killing yourself?
§ Have you thought of killing yourself for some time?
Preceding the “kill” questions, there is not one question that would seed hope in the child’s mind. Such questions might be:
§ Are you aware of the fact that your are not alone, and that many of your friends have the same worries and fears?
§ Are you aware of the fact that many of these feeling will pass as adults help you to learn to cope with adversity?
§ Did you know that there are trained professionals who can help you in private settings?
Dr. Arlene Seal, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, addresses the psychological harm of asking children such questions in her article, Questions, Questions: Do survey’s influence children? 1
The general purpose of any particular survey is evident by its questions. However, in addition to eliciting information, do the questions also influence the respondent? The simple answer is YES!”
First of all, the questions direct focus on the survey’s topics—making the respondent seriously think about them. Secondly, surveys can actually stimulate curiosity about those topics and spark possibilities of which the respondent was previously unaware.
The extent and the detail of the information pursued by the questions is related to the degree of influence that can impact the respondent’s thinking and affective behavior. The critical point..is what attitudes and potential behaviors are being stimulated by the awareness...In such surveys, children’s attention are directed to these negative behaviors and the manner of questions in many instances subtly sets the expectations in that direction…such surveys are actually socializing children INTO the problems that are intended to be prevented. (Emphasis added)
Not only do the questions set expectations in this negative direction, but they also “normalize” the behavior in the mind of the child. Can anyone say child abuse?
1 Seal, Arlene, PhD. ”Questions, Questions: Do surveys influence children?” Education Advocate, July/August 2000, Vol., No.4.
Much has been written about the use of TeenScreen in 9th and 10th grade as a tool for identifying potential suicide victims. A firestorm of objections has come from a cross-section of parents, political, educational, and health professional organizations – from Patch Adams to Phyllis Schlafly.
However, there is a disturbing aspect about the TeenScreen survey that has not been formally addressed by people opposing the use of this invasive screening test, and that is the impact of the questionnaire itself on the child.
For years, public relations experts and media specialist have known that besides gathering information, tests, surveys, and questionnaires also teach.
On the 10 minute TeenScreen “quick mental health check up” survey, a child sits in front of an impersonal computer screen answering questions about his or her worries, fears, family composition, interpersonal relationships, and even drug use.
Then, in an offhanded, abrupt manner, questions such as - Have you ever thought about killing yourself - appear. The unthinkable notion of killing oneself becomes a “thinkable” solution to his/her adolescent pain.
Killing oneself is further pounded into the adolescent psyche with an extended series of questioning on suicidal ideation:
§ Are you still thinking about killing yourself?
§ Have you seriously thought about killing yourself?
§ Have you thought of killing yourself for some time?
Preceding the “kill” questions, there is not one question that would seed hope in the child’s mind. Such questions might be:
§ Are you aware of the fact that your are not alone, and that many of your friends have the same worries and fears?
§ Are you aware of the fact that many of these feeling will pass as adults help you to learn to cope with adversity?
§ Did you know that there are trained professionals who can help you in private settings?
Dr. Arlene Seal, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, addresses the psychological harm of asking children such questions in her article, Questions, Questions: Do survey’s influence children? 1
The general purpose of any particular survey is evident by its questions. However, in addition to eliciting information, do the questions also influence the respondent? The simple answer is YES!”
First of all, the questions direct focus on the survey’s topics—making the respondent seriously think about them. Secondly, surveys can actually stimulate curiosity about those topics and spark possibilities of which the respondent was previously unaware.
The extent and the detail of the information pursued by the questions is related to the degree of influence that can impact the respondent’s thinking and affective behavior. The critical point..is what attitudes and potential behaviors are being stimulated by the awareness...In such surveys, children’s attention are directed to these negative behaviors and the manner of questions in many instances subtly sets the expectations in that direction…such surveys are actually socializing children INTO the problems that are intended to be prevented. (Emphasis added)
Not only do the questions set expectations in this negative direction, but they also “normalize” the behavior in the mind of the child. Can anyone say child abuse?
1 Seal, Arlene, PhD. ”Questions, Questions: Do surveys influence children?” Education Advocate, July/August 2000, Vol., No.4.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Shhh-hh-h-h
The good Dr. Reading emphasized to his patient, Ms. Blanco, that she "shouldn't tell anybody" about his conduct, according to testimony in a Florida case that stripped him of his right to practice medicine. But she told someone anyway.
The word "medicine" should probably be in quotes, because he wasn't really practicing medicine. He was really a psychiatrist. It is always jarring to recall that psychiatrists have medical degrees. The only part of a medical degree a psychiatrist needs is the right to prescribe drugs. In medical schools they are famous as the ones who couldn't cut it in real medicine. Doctors know the type. They can't hack the surgery and they go crazy trying to help someone with an actual medical problem so they retreat to the theoretical and imaginary world of psychiatry where no patient ever really improves until they stop coming to therapy and get off their drugs.
Reading chaired the psychiatry department at the University of South Florida. The first official complaint came in 2003 when a female patient complained to police that she had been molested. Although she passed her lie detector test and he failed his, the case was dropped. Then other victims began to come forward.
Still it is remarkable what it takes to pierce the veil of medical authority. An allegation of rape or sexual harassment from any reputable young woman is taken seriously in most of the world, unless the accused is a psychiatrist. To overcome the altitude of that position in the legal arena, it usually takes a series of allegations. And in the end, the penalty is usually remarkably light. In this case, Reading lost his license, and was not convicted of any crime – allowing him to keep his pension.
But it’s not over. He now faces a series of civil suits re his psychiatric abuse.
The word "medicine" should probably be in quotes, because he wasn't really practicing medicine. He was really a psychiatrist. It is always jarring to recall that psychiatrists have medical degrees. The only part of a medical degree a psychiatrist needs is the right to prescribe drugs. In medical schools they are famous as the ones who couldn't cut it in real medicine. Doctors know the type. They can't hack the surgery and they go crazy trying to help someone with an actual medical problem so they retreat to the theoretical and imaginary world of psychiatry where no patient ever really improves until they stop coming to therapy and get off their drugs.
Reading chaired the psychiatry department at the University of South Florida. The first official complaint came in 2003 when a female patient complained to police that she had been molested. Although she passed her lie detector test and he failed his, the case was dropped. Then other victims began to come forward.
Still it is remarkable what it takes to pierce the veil of medical authority. An allegation of rape or sexual harassment from any reputable young woman is taken seriously in most of the world, unless the accused is a psychiatrist. To overcome the altitude of that position in the legal arena, it usually takes a series of allegations. And in the end, the penalty is usually remarkably light. In this case, Reading lost his license, and was not convicted of any crime – allowing him to keep his pension.
But it’s not over. He now faces a series of civil suits re his psychiatric abuse.
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