âPsychiatric Medications Kill More Americans than Heroinâ
âIn 2014, 10,574 people died of heroin overdose while 15,778 died from an overdose of psychiatric medications, nearly 50% more,â writes addiction specialist Kenneth...
The ADHD Drug Abuse Crisis on College Campuses
The abuse of ADHD drugs on college campuses has reached epidemic proportions, according to the authors of a recent review in the journal of Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. ADHD drugs, like Ritalin and Adderall, have become so commonplace on college campuses that students abusing these drugs for studying, weight loss and partying have underestimated their risks. As a result, we have seen exponential increases in emergency room visits, overdoses, and suicides by students taking these drugs.
Reducing Overuse of Low-Value Treatments
Researchers provide an action-planning framework to engage providers in the reduction of low-value healthcare.
Antidepressants, Not Depression, Raise Risk of Preeclampsia in Pregnancy
In a study of 69,448 pregnant women with depression, researchers from the Harvard school of public health found that use of SSRI (selective serotonin...
Two Years Tapering an Antidepressant â A Life-Changing Experience That I Didnât Want
My heart goes out to anyone experiencing withdrawal, but especially those who are so ill they canât work and are struggling to navigate a heartless and cynical âbenefitsâ system. Their only crime is to have experienced difficulty from a prescribed treatment, yet they are treated as medical pariahs.
Petition Calls on Pharma Companies to Offer Tapering Kits for Depression and Anxiety Drugs
A change.org petition out of the United Kingdom is addressing the extreme difficulty faced by people who attempt to taper off of antidepressants and...
Antidepressants Increase Brain Bleed Risk
A study published in this monthâs issue of Stroke found that antidepressants may increase the risk of microbleeds in the brain. Both SSRI and SNRI antidepressants can disrupt natural clotting mechanisms and lead to increased adverse bleeding incidents and prolonged bleeding times.
Mental Health Awareness Month: Seven Things to be Aware of
In this piece for Truthout, Noel Hunter lists seven facts it is important to be cognizant of during Mental Health Awareness Month, from the influence...
Study Finds Antidepressants Increase Risk of Death
From the New York Post: A recent study found that taking antidepressant drugs increases the risk of death by 33 percent. Those who take antidepressants were...
When Evidence Says no, but Doctors say yes
From ProPublica: Many physicians continue to administer treatments that have long been proven ineffective and even harmful to patients.
"For all the truly wondrous developments of modern medicine...
âThe Hefty Price of âStudy Drugsâ Misuse on College Campusesâ
For the Conversation, Binghamton University researcher Lina Begdache tackles the issue of the growing use of 'Study Drugs' in the student population. âAnimal studies show...
Transition into Poverty May Worsen Child and Maternal Mental Health
Transitioning into poverty linked to behavioral issues in children, but may be mitigated by motherâs mental health.
Increase in ED Visits Due to Drug Related Adverse Events
A recently published article in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights an increase in emergency department (ED) visits due to drug-related adverse or negative events.
Study Finds No Benefit for Testosterone Treatments
Researchers find no benefits for testosterone as a treatment for improving mood, psychological well-being, and cognitive function.
âPsychiatric DrugâNot AntibioticâMesses with Gut Microbes, Spurs Obesityâ
In a series of experiments in mice, researchers found that the drug risperidone alters gut microbes, which in turn profoundly influence metabolism, weight, and overall health.
Think You’re Seeing More Drug Ads on TV? You Are.
From The New York Times: TV drug ads have dramatically increased in the past few years. According to Kantar Media, a firm that tracks multimedia advertising,...
Researchers Investigate Antidepressant-Induced Suicidal Ideation
An increase in suicidal thoughts is a known and serious side-effect for various types of antidepressants. Recent studies suggest that there may be some...
Lawyers Review Claims for SSRI Birth Defects
As the number of SSRI birth defect lawsuits climbs to the point that hundreds are being consolidated in a massive class action in the...
Despite Risks, Antidepressant Use among Reproductive Age Women Increases
Accumulating evidence points to serious risks associated with antidepressant use during pregnancy, yet data suggests that prescriptions continue to rise in the US. "Given...
Antipsychotics Prescribed Off-Label for Challenging Behaviors
Antipsychotics are being prescribed to people who may have challenging behaviors but no mental disorder, according to new research published in this monthâs issue of BMJ. âExcessive use of psychotropic drugs has individual and systemic implications,â the researchers write. âAntipsychotics, in particular, are associated with several adverse side effects that can impair quality of life and lead to deleterious health outcomes.â
Poor Evidence and Substantial Bias in Ritalin Studies
The authors of a large scale well-conducted systematic review of methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin, conclude that there is a lack of quality evidence for the drugâs effectiveness. Their research also revealed that Ritalin can cause sleep problems and decreased appetite in children.
âAnti-Smoking Drug Chantix Linked to Over 500 Suicides: Should It Retain Its FDA Approval?â
The FDA has received reports of over 544 suicides and 1,869 attempted suicides connected to the smoking cessation drug Chantix, according to a new...
We Need Ecstasy and Cocaine in Place of Prozac and Xanax
From Aeon: While psychiatric drugs are often ineffective and can have serious side effects, there are many psychedelics and other illicit substances that have proven...
CEP Members Publish New Book: ‘The Sedated Society’
The Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry announces the release of a new book called 'The Sedated Society: The Causes and Harms of our Psychiatric Prescribing Epidemic.'...
Abilify: The Drug That Could Gamble Your Life Away
On this episode of America's Lawyer, Mike Papantonio discusses the numerous lawsuits pending involving the anti-psychotic drug Abilify, which has caused plaintiffs to develop serious...