Great interview James, really informative. I wonder if people knew that the vast majority of antidepressant consumers will experience sexual dysfunction, would they agree to ‘treatment’? Would we have allowed our children to be prescribed an antidepressant if there was any chance that they would experience sexual problems, never mind suicidality? Not a chance!
That some will be left sexually maimed after even short-term exposure, is just such a tragedy – with foetal and childhood exposure undoubtedly causing huge harm. This era of widespread SSRI-prescribing (for everything from menopause to compulsive shopping), will one day be seen as the utter madness that it undoubtedly is. Hopefully, with doctors like David Healy (and others like him) speaking out, this will come sooner rather than later.
I have seen the way many of the comment sections on Dr Healy’s posts have been comandeered by the ECT debate. I have never felt the urge to wade in though; as a fellow Irishman, Dr Healy has shown time and again that he’s well able to speak up for himself. He has addressed the ECT issue many, many times and I would wager that he has never ever strapped some poor victim down to administer ECT without consent. I am wading in here today though, to give my own tuppence worth.
Firsly, let me acknowledge that I am absolutely biased. I know Dr Dredd (aka Healy) and he is one of the nicest, kindest, intelligent men on the planet. I first contacted him in 2009 following my son’s SSRI-induced death, when no-one else was prepared to put their heads above the parapet to opine either way on the possible adverse effects of psychiatric drugs. Psychiatry was, and still is, very powerful in Ireland, so he knew he was in for a tongue-lashing, which incidentally, he got in spades. It seems that if he believes in something, peer pressure or academic bullying will not sway him – and rightly so. If he says that ECT works for some, then I assume it can work for some (and can cause harm to others), just like SSRIs work for some and have killed many others, like my son.
Secondly, there are underlying issues within academia that we don’t fully understand. I attended a conference in Cork some years back which Dr Healy was speaking at. There was a heckler in the audience who was rude and not a little obnoxious to him. The heckler, whom I knew a little of, kept shouting about ECT, despite this issue having nothing to do with the conference programme. It was uncomfortable viewing for everyone but Dr Healy remained calm and explained (once again – in detail) his stance on ECT. So why am I telling you this? The young heckler contacted me some time later to say he didn’t realise how much Dr Healy had done for my family (mountains of work, time and effort – all done free of charge). It transpired that a well-known global player in SSRI-induced harm had e-mailed this young man beforehand and sent him a link to a book Dr Healy co-authored on ECT – very kind I’m sure.
Using incitement of vulnerable people for ones’ own gain, by a person (sorry I can’t name) one would assume to know better, seemed extraordinarily cruel to me and the total opposite to the kindness shown by Dr Healy. It was certainly a valuable lesson to me.
I would like to commend Mary and Jim on this fabulous article. Being a fellow Irish citizen, I’d like to say how kind this lovely couple are to everyone, particularly Irish psychiatric survivors. Despite their own many years of suffering, they always have a kind word for everyone and provide enormous support over here.
I also agree; Dr Terry Lynch is one very brave doctor, as the chemical imbalance theory is still very much alive and kicking in Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish College of Psychiatry don’t take kindly to contradiction, as another other Irish doctor can attest to – Dr David Healy. So, despite Ireland being a tiny country, we have some very brave people who are willing to stand up for justice, for the rights of the little people. I have so much respect for them all, including Mary and Jim.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh, mo chairde.
Leonie x
In 2012 an Irish woman who was pregnant with twins (almost full-term) died by jumping off a cliff. She had been on Paxil/Seroxat for a number of years which was discontinued early in her pregnancy. Her GP then prescribed her Sertraline/Zoloft, which he shockingly described at Anna’s inquest as ‘a regularly used antidepressant during pregnancy’. Anna’s dose of Zoloft was doubled 6 days before her death by consultant psychiatrist, Dr John Sheehan, despite the fact that she was deemed ‘low risk’ and did not indicate that she was suicidal.
To me, the facts scream that doubling the dose of Zoloft caused this young woman’s death (and her 2 little boys). I spoke with a member of Anna’s family afterwards who indicated that her family felt the same. Will there ever be justice for Anna? Under Irish and EU law, I very much doubt it. Dr Utaro – keep banging that drum.
Great article Mary. I’d just like to say thank you to Mary Maddock and Mindfreedom Ireland for the fantastic support they give to others injured by psychiatric ‘care’ and the medical model aka mind-altering drugs. She’s an inspiration and a huge support to Irish victims and their families.
There are very few people willing to stick up for ‘mental health’ victims. I am so thankful for Mary’s tenacity and kindness, despite the horrendous torture she herself was subjected to, done under the guise of Irish ‘care’.
Thank you Mary.
Leonie xx
When my son died due to an adverse reaction to Citalopram/Celexa, I described exactly how he died on a TV programme. One newspaper article opined that I had breached every known guideline on media reporting of suicide and put forward a ‘copycat suicide’ argument. Almost 5 years on and not one person in Ireland copied the manner in which my son died. I think that this particular argument is put forward by psychiatry in order to keep mothers like us quiet. You only have to look at AntiDepAware’s post on the 79 people who died in Bridgend to see that there may be other factors at play here – http://antidepaware.co.uk/bridgend-the-antidepressant-factor/
Clusters of people who die by suicide, in small countries like Ireland, can involve many factors, one being having the same GP who prescribes SSRIs which double the risk of suicide to all and sundry.
My lovely friend Maria has way too much faith in me, she makes me sound like a martyr, which sadly is very far from the truth. I would give anything to have Shane back, and I truly mean anything – he did not deserve to be shipped down the river by uninformed doctors and then vilified by Irish Psychiatrists. The same psychiatrists who coincidentally worked for Lundbeck, the makers of the implicated drug – Celexa.
It seems like a lifetime ago, when I first contacted a strange New Zealand woman who had also lost her son. I was like a wounded animal at that stage, a bad speller, even worse writer and living in a terrible new world I knew nothing about. Maria Bradshaw, in no uncertain terms, filled my head with information, corrected my spelling, patched me back together and shoved me out the door to fight back.
Toran, your mum has your back, and mine, for which I shall be eternally grateful!
āThey killed my child. They ripped my heart out of my body. They trampled on my soul. Then they lied, covered up, defended, blamed and continued to commit the same brutalities against other families.ā That perfectly sums up mine and Shane’s experience; you do have a way with words Maria.
What a privilege it was to have you here in Ireland for two weeks. I have never cried so much in my life, with laughter as well as sadness, and teaching me to play cards was just an added bonus. What a strange bunch we are! You would have loved it Neil and the invitation is an open one.
As for amobeirne, the kids love you because you are you. What’s not to love?
It was such a pleasure to have you all in our home and you have made a sad, bewildered frizzy-haired woman a little happier. That’s me Maria in case you think I’m attacking your dodgy fringe!
Thanks Duane,
As far as I can make out, none of the other speakers (apart from Prof. Sparks) have dealt directly with drugs and children, unlike Healy who is responsible for the drug warning in the first instance. I do hope you’re right though, that this is just the first of many dialogues.
Leonie
Hi Marcia,
The Vatican conference is a great idea and we have to be thankful for small mercies. One thing that concerns me is the un-invite of the leading expert in this field, Dr David Healy. He was responsible for the warning put on drugs for children, was first to write about creation of pediatric bipolar disorder and the one person who has shown data that antidepressants increase abortion, miscarriage and birth defect rates.
Whether because of his religion or irreverence to the Catholic hierarchy, not having the world leading expert in this field at this important conference is like ‘cutting off your nose to spite you face’? It seems a bit ecumenical to have no catholic speaker at the meeting (as far as I’m aware) and then un-invite Healy. Is this discrimination of Irish Catholics?
Leonie
Conclusion: “Whilst medication non-adherence carries serious risks for service users, more than half of service users taking medication for either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder do something different to their treatment recommendations.”
SANE reported no competing interest. Really? Does that mean that SANE’s ‘support’ from Lundbeck pharmaceuticals (who happen to make medication for depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) is not regarded as a conflict of interest? I would take any SANE report with a grain of salt! http://www.lundbeck.com/uk/the-community/charities
I know what you mean. I see that the so-called ‘Chemical imbalance’ theory is being supported by Rethink, the ‘mental health charity’…
“There are several types of antidepressants one of which you may be prescribed. While all the antidepressants seem to be equally effective, one may suit you better than another. This is a brief guide to antidepressant medication.
Two of the chemical messengers in the brain are called serotonin (sometimes called 5-HT) and noradrenaline. Both are important in the areas of the brain that control or regulate mood and thinking. It is known that these two chemical messengers are not as effective or active as normal in the brain of someone who is depressed.
Antidepressants increase the amount of these chemical messengers, helping to correct the lack of action of the messengers and improving mood.
I wonder if this has anything to do with Rethink’s partnership with Lundbeck, creators of Celexa and Lexapro? http://www.lundbeck.com/uk/the-community/charities
It also begs the question; what is a supposed ‘charity’ doing, involving themselves with any drug company and spouting about medication?
Jeffrey, I absolutely agree that drugs in pregnancy are only a tiny fraction of the problem. āI would much rather be a dead baby than a child growing up with brain damage, which is what I was.ā Iām so sorry that any human being would feel as you do. I cannot imagine what it is like to live in those circumstances.
I suppose I should explain my background a bit because I wonder all the time, what would have happened if my son had survived Celexa but he didnāt. He killed himself and another young man after 17 days on this supposed antidepressant/depressant in 2009. He never had a violent bone in his body and was the kindest young man that you could imagine.
I have spent the last 3 years researching the drug industry, corrupt psychiatry and idiot doctors. And yes, I believe that human beings are worthless and entirely disposable to the pharmaceutical industry. I believe that the pharma industry are killing more people than they are curing, and I believe my son was just another victim.
As for ā1boringoldmanā, I read him all the time, heās great and so brilliant with the stats. He did a post on my son Shaneās case last year: http://1boringoldman.com/index.php/2012/03/07/the-warning/ Every time I read his blog, I wonder how psychiatry and medical professionals can condone what is happening, when he can (seemingly so easily) prove them all wrong.
Great interview James, really informative. I wonder if people knew that the vast majority of antidepressant consumers will experience sexual dysfunction, would they agree to ‘treatment’? Would we have allowed our children to be prescribed an antidepressant if there was any chance that they would experience sexual problems, never mind suicidality? Not a chance!
That some will be left sexually maimed after even short-term exposure, is just such a tragedy – with foetal and childhood exposure undoubtedly causing huge harm. This era of widespread SSRI-prescribing (for everything from menopause to compulsive shopping), will one day be seen as the utter madness that it undoubtedly is. Hopefully, with doctors like David Healy (and others like him) speaking out, this will come sooner rather than later.
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I have seen the way many of the comment sections on Dr Healy’s posts have been comandeered by the ECT debate. I have never felt the urge to wade in though; as a fellow Irishman, Dr Healy has shown time and again that he’s well able to speak up for himself. He has addressed the ECT issue many, many times and I would wager that he has never ever strapped some poor victim down to administer ECT without consent. I am wading in here today though, to give my own tuppence worth.
Firsly, let me acknowledge that I am absolutely biased. I know Dr Dredd (aka Healy) and he is one of the nicest, kindest, intelligent men on the planet. I first contacted him in 2009 following my son’s SSRI-induced death, when no-one else was prepared to put their heads above the parapet to opine either way on the possible adverse effects of psychiatric drugs. Psychiatry was, and still is, very powerful in Ireland, so he knew he was in for a tongue-lashing, which incidentally, he got in spades. It seems that if he believes in something, peer pressure or academic bullying will not sway him – and rightly so. If he says that ECT works for some, then I assume it can work for some (and can cause harm to others), just like SSRIs work for some and have killed many others, like my son.
Secondly, there are underlying issues within academia that we don’t fully understand. I attended a conference in Cork some years back which Dr Healy was speaking at. There was a heckler in the audience who was rude and not a little obnoxious to him. The heckler, whom I knew a little of, kept shouting about ECT, despite this issue having nothing to do with the conference programme. It was uncomfortable viewing for everyone but Dr Healy remained calm and explained (once again – in detail) his stance on ECT. So why am I telling you this? The young heckler contacted me some time later to say he didn’t realise how much Dr Healy had done for my family (mountains of work, time and effort – all done free of charge). It transpired that a well-known global player in SSRI-induced harm had e-mailed this young man beforehand and sent him a link to a book Dr Healy co-authored on ECT – very kind I’m sure.
Using incitement of vulnerable people for ones’ own gain, by a person (sorry I can’t name) one would assume to know better, seemed extraordinarily cruel to me and the total opposite to the kindness shown by Dr Healy. It was certainly a valuable lesson to me.
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I would like to commend Mary and Jim on this fabulous article. Being a fellow Irish citizen, I’d like to say how kind this lovely couple are to everyone, particularly Irish psychiatric survivors. Despite their own many years of suffering, they always have a kind word for everyone and provide enormous support over here.
I also agree; Dr Terry Lynch is one very brave doctor, as the chemical imbalance theory is still very much alive and kicking in Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish College of Psychiatry don’t take kindly to contradiction, as another other Irish doctor can attest to – Dr David Healy. So, despite Ireland being a tiny country, we have some very brave people who are willing to stand up for justice, for the rights of the little people. I have so much respect for them all, including Mary and Jim.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh, mo chairde.
Leonie x
Report comment
In 2012 an Irish woman who was pregnant with twins (almost full-term) died by jumping off a cliff. She had been on Paxil/Seroxat for a number of years which was discontinued early in her pregnancy. Her GP then prescribed her Sertraline/Zoloft, which he shockingly described at Anna’s inquest as ‘a regularly used antidepressant during pregnancy’. Anna’s dose of Zoloft was doubled 6 days before her death by consultant psychiatrist, Dr John Sheehan, despite the fact that she was deemed ‘low risk’ and did not indicate that she was suicidal.
To me, the facts scream that doubling the dose of Zoloft caused this young woman’s death (and her 2 little boys). I spoke with a member of Anna’s family afterwards who indicated that her family felt the same. Will there ever be justice for Anna? Under Irish and EU law, I very much doubt it. Dr Utaro – keep banging that drum.
https://leoniefennell.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/anna-byrne/
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Great article Mary. I’d just like to say thank you to Mary Maddock and Mindfreedom Ireland for the fantastic support they give to others injured by psychiatric ‘care’ and the medical model aka mind-altering drugs. She’s an inspiration and a huge support to Irish victims and their families.
There are very few people willing to stick up for ‘mental health’ victims. I am so thankful for Mary’s tenacity and kindness, despite the horrendous torture she herself was subjected to, done under the guise of Irish ‘care’.
Thank you Mary.
Leonie xx
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When my son died due to an adverse reaction to Citalopram/Celexa, I described exactly how he died on a TV programme. One newspaper article opined that I had breached every known guideline on media reporting of suicide and put forward a ‘copycat suicide’ argument. Almost 5 years on and not one person in Ireland copied the manner in which my son died. I think that this particular argument is put forward by psychiatry in order to keep mothers like us quiet. You only have to look at AntiDepAware’s post on the 79 people who died in Bridgend to see that there may be other factors at play here –
http://antidepaware.co.uk/bridgend-the-antidepressant-factor/
Clusters of people who die by suicide, in small countries like Ireland, can involve many factors, one being having the same GP who prescribes SSRIs which double the risk of suicide to all and sundry.
Report comment
My lovely friend Maria has way too much faith in me, she makes me sound like a martyr, which sadly is very far from the truth. I would give anything to have Shane back, and I truly mean anything – he did not deserve to be shipped down the river by uninformed doctors and then vilified by Irish Psychiatrists. The same psychiatrists who coincidentally worked for Lundbeck, the makers of the implicated drug – Celexa.
It seems like a lifetime ago, when I first contacted a strange New Zealand woman who had also lost her son. I was like a wounded animal at that stage, a bad speller, even worse writer and living in a terrible new world I knew nothing about. Maria Bradshaw, in no uncertain terms, filled my head with information, corrected my spelling, patched me back together and shoved me out the door to fight back.
Toran, your mum has your back, and mine, for which I shall be eternally grateful!
Leonie
Report comment
āThey killed my child. They ripped my heart out of my body. They trampled on my soul. Then they lied, covered up, defended, blamed and continued to commit the same brutalities against other families.ā That perfectly sums up mine and Shane’s experience; you do have a way with words Maria.
What a privilege it was to have you here in Ireland for two weeks. I have never cried so much in my life, with laughter as well as sadness, and teaching me to play cards was just an added bonus. What a strange bunch we are! You would have loved it Neil and the invitation is an open one.
As for amobeirne, the kids love you because you are you. What’s not to love?
It was such a pleasure to have you all in our home and you have made a sad, bewildered frizzy-haired woman a little happier. That’s me Maria in case you think I’m attacking your dodgy fringe!
xx
Leonie and Tony
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Thanks Duane,
As far as I can make out, none of the other speakers (apart from Prof. Sparks) have dealt directly with drugs and children, unlike Healy who is responsible for the drug warning in the first instance. I do hope you’re right though, that this is just the first of many dialogues.
Leonie
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Exactly Duane, doesn’t make sense. It’s similar to Cardinals making religious decisions without asking the pope’s opinion!
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Hi Marcia,
The Vatican conference is a great idea and we have to be thankful for small mercies. One thing that concerns me is the un-invite of the leading expert in this field, Dr David Healy. He was responsible for the warning put on drugs for children, was first to write about creation of pediatric bipolar disorder and the one person who has shown data that antidepressants increase abortion, miscarriage and birth defect rates.
Whether because of his religion or irreverence to the Catholic hierarchy, not having the world leading expert in this field at this important conference is like ‘cutting off your nose to spite you face’? It seems a bit ecumenical to have no catholic speaker at the meeting (as far as I’m aware) and then un-invite Healy. Is this discrimination of Irish Catholics?
Leonie
Report comment
Conclusion: “Whilst medication non-adherence carries serious risks for service users, more than half of service users taking medication for either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder do something different to their treatment recommendations.”
SANE reported no competing interest. Really? Does that mean that SANE’s ‘support’ from Lundbeck pharmaceuticals (who happen to make medication for depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) is not regarded as a conflict of interest? I would take any SANE report with a grain of salt! http://www.lundbeck.com/uk/the-community/charities
SANE previously made a statement following the suicide of Lord Milo Douglas: http://www.sane.org.uk/resources/news/show_news/187
Interestingly, they never mentioned the fact that Lord Milo had recently been prescribed Citalopram/Celexa (made by Lundbeck) which double the risk of suicide. The conflict of interest here is mind-boggling! I did broach the subject but they ignored me..http://leoniefennell.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/lord-milos-inquest-and-the-mental-health-charity-sane/
Leonie Fennell
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I know what you mean. I see that the so-called ‘Chemical imbalance’ theory is being supported by Rethink, the ‘mental health charity’…
“There are several types of antidepressants one of which you may be prescribed. While all the antidepressants seem to be equally effective, one may suit you better than another. This is a brief guide to antidepressant medication.
Two of the chemical messengers in the brain are called serotonin (sometimes called 5-HT) and noradrenaline. Both are important in the areas of the brain that control or regulate mood and thinking. It is known that these two chemical messengers are not as effective or active as normal in the brain of someone who is depressed.
Antidepressants increase the amount of these chemical messengers, helping to correct the lack of action of the messengers and improving mood.
Antidepressants are not addictive.”
http://www.rethink.org/living_with_mental_illness/treatment_and_therapy/medication/antidepressants/index.html
I wonder if this has anything to do with Rethink’s partnership with Lundbeck, creators of Celexa and Lexapro? http://www.lundbeck.com/uk/the-community/charities
It also begs the question; what is a supposed ‘charity’ doing, involving themselves with any drug company and spouting about medication?
Leonie
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Jeffrey, I absolutely agree that drugs in pregnancy are only a tiny fraction of the problem. āI would much rather be a dead baby than a child growing up with brain damage, which is what I was.ā Iām so sorry that any human being would feel as you do. I cannot imagine what it is like to live in those circumstances.
I suppose I should explain my background a bit because I wonder all the time, what would have happened if my son had survived Celexa but he didnāt. He killed himself and another young man after 17 days on this supposed antidepressant/depressant in 2009. He never had a violent bone in his body and was the kindest young man that you could imagine.
I have spent the last 3 years researching the drug industry, corrupt psychiatry and idiot doctors. And yes, I believe that human beings are worthless and entirely disposable to the pharmaceutical industry. I believe that the pharma industry are killing more people than they are curing, and I believe my son was just another victim.
As for ā1boringoldmanā, I read him all the time, heās great and so brilliant with the stats. He did a post on my son Shaneās case last year: http://1boringoldman.com/index.php/2012/03/07/the-warning/ Every time I read his blog, I wonder how psychiatry and medical professionals can condone what is happening, when he can (seemingly so easily) prove them all wrong.
With regard to my sonās case, Professor Healy did a comprehensive report for his inquest. If anyone is interested, Iāll attach it here: http://leoniefennell.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/professor-healys-report-march-2010.pdf
Leonie
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