“Antipsychotics and antidepressants have been some of the most profitable agents for companies over the last two decades,” said Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in a commentary for Science Translational Medicine, “But that doesn’t mean they’re effective. What it means is that they sell and they can be marketed.”
I can think of no new drug development that could reduce suffering and impairment as much as stopping the use of current medications for new “patients” and helping those old “patients who wish to get off this crap to do so.
Ed
Report comment
When reading Thomas Insel, I usually feel there is some common sense in a lot of his views, but there is always often leaps of logic where I need to pinch myself, like the following:
“There are no drugs to target the main symptoms of autism such as social deficits and language disorder, Insel said. Those deficits often respond well to intensive behavioural treatments, which suggests there’s potential for a pharmacological approach.”
Report comment
Stanley:
Yep, that twisted my head around too. Somebody once remarked about Robert S MacNamara, “How can someone of such intellectual capacity have such obvious difficulty thinking?”
Ed
Report comment
The sad thing is that so many doctors, user’s and especially parents drugging their kids have been relying in their mind on the belief that new and better drugs are right around the corner, including drugs to treat problems caused by earlier drugs. I remember when I was a kid and I would argue about being drugged that one of my main arguments was that I wouldn’t want to live with a movement disorder (which I have) so why even risk doing that to me? Because by the time I’m 20 (I’m 29) they’ll be drugs out to take care of that problem. That’s what numerous people back then told me.
I’m sure that’s what most people believe even today. There’s no denying the harm caused by these drugs. I think if most people could be assured that no new and better drugs are coming than most people would at least stop drugging their kids. At least I hope that would.
Report comment
I know a journalist who takes psych drugs despite the dangers who is convinced there will a new generation of anti-psychotics that will be effective and safe.
La la la la la
I thought they had stopped saying that sort of thing after the last round of drugs proved to be as dangerous and uneffective as the last ones. Obviously not.
La la la la la
The myth of the safe and effective psych drugs in deeply ingrained and will need a few big puches to dislodge it.
Report comment
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile,
Our thoughts to them go winging;
When friends by shame are undefiled,
How can I keep from singing?
http://youtu.be/whIYv3_CvqU
The anagram of MENTAL is LAMENT.
Report comment
On the CBC the reporter was pushing the need for new drugs that Big Pharma is not producing. http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/10/12/psychiatric-drugs.html
Report comment
Maybe the drug companies have realized that there will be no new breakthroughs because their basic approach was deceptive and morally bankrupt to begin with, and people are finally catching on. If I were a drug company CEO and read Whitaker’s book, I’d certainly be thinking about alternate areas for research! I wonder if they’re just leaving town before they’re tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.
—- Steve
Report comment