Antipsychotics, Restraints, and Seclusion Raising Concerns
FromĀ ABC Australia:Ā Australia's high rate of antipsychotic prescriptions, as well as theĀ frequent usage of restraints and seclusion,Ā has raised concerns among Australian mental health advocates, researchers,...
When the Cure is the Cause
FromĀ Undark Magazine: In late 1970, a pharmacologist discovered that an antibiotic drug designed to cureĀ a disease called SMON (subacute myelo-optic neuropathy) was actually causing...
Think You’re Seeing More Drug Ads on TV? You Are.
FromĀ The New York Times: TV drug ads have dramatically increased in the past few years.Ā According to Kantar Media, a firm that tracks multimedia advertising,...
Preventing Long-term Benzodiazepine Use
Researchers Identify risk factors for long-term benzodiazepine use to prevent harmful effects.
Mediterranean Diet Improves Mental Health, Study Finds
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish has repeatedly been found to improve mental health.
Floridaās “Free Kill” Law ā A Death Trap for the Stateās Populace and Visitors
Floridaās Wrongful Death Act essentially denies residents and visitors alike the right to live once they enter a hospital. The law has been dubbed āFree Killā because while it can cost money to correct mistakes, keep hospitals safely staffed and update equipment, it is free to kill.
People Are Dying Prematurely Due to Polypharmacy
Our son, Mark, is an example of the deadly effects of polypharmacy. He died at the young age of 46 and his death was caused by toxicity/cardiac failure from two of the five medications he was taking, at higher than recommended doses,Ā asĀ prescribed by his psychiatrist.
A Response to Columnist Dr. Greg Smith at the Aiken Standard
In this five-part series for theĀ Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, Nicole L. critiques a recent articleĀ by Dr. Greg Smith that was highly laudatory of benzodiazepines. Click...
Reducing Antipsychotic Use May Improve Health for People with Mental Health Diagnoses
A new study offers radical solutions for improving the cardiovascular health of people with mental health diagnoses: reducing antipsychotic prescriptions..
Whistleblower Files Lawsuit Against AstraZeneca
From theĀ Chicago Tribune: Former drug sales representative Allison Zayas became a whistleblower against her old company, AstraZeneca, after learning that a combination of Seroquel...
Anticholinergic Medications Linked to Dementia Similar to Early Alzheimerās
A new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, investigates the effects of anticholinergic medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, on cognition in older adults diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Antidepressants During Pregnancy Increase Risk of Psychiatric Diagnosis in Children
New research, based on data from almost a million children in Denmark, suggests that children of mothers who use antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to be diagnosed with autism and psychiatric disorders.
More Dangerous Than Opioids ā Benzo Overprescription
FromĀ The Lown Institute: Opioids aren't the only drug being dangerously overprescribed. The overprescription of benzodiazepines, a psychoactive drug with potentially excruciating side effects and...
The Three Most Important Facts About Psychiatric Drugs
Psychologist and educator Michael Corrigan was a guest on my radio show and brought up some questions about how to communicate with people about psychiatric drugs. Specifically, he asked, āWhat are the three most important things for anyone to know about psychiatric drugs?ā Here is my answer.
Intergenerational Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
The daughters of children evacuated from Finland during World War II show an increased number of psychiatric hospitalizations.
New Research on Prenatal SSRI Exposure and Autism
Does maternal SSRI exposure increase the chances that a child will develop characteristics associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Halves the Risk of Repeated Suicide Attempts
A new study suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may halve the likelihood of re-attempting suicide, for those who have attempted in the past.
Study Examines the Difficulty of Withdrawing from Antidepressant Drugs
Correcting unnecessary long-term antidepressant use is difficult and met with apprehension by providers and service-users.
The Need to Address Suicide in Prisons
Rates of suicide in prison are significantly higher than in the general population.
Police Violence Victims at Increased Risk of Psychotic Symptoms
Researchers examine links between police victimization and psychotic symptoms in a topical new study.
Scientists Clarify Risks of Augmenting with Antipsychotic Medications for Depression
The researchers found that while antipsychotic drugs may be slightly more effective than alternative antidepressants, they come with a much higher side effect burden.
Is the FDA Withholding Data to Protect a Drug Manufacturer?
FromĀ Scientific American: The FDA seems determined to prevent the public from accessing valuable data about the safety, efficacy, and potential adverse effects of the...
Drug May Lead to Early Death for People With Alzheimer’s
FromĀ The Washington Post: A recent study found that benzodiazepinesĀ are associated with a greater chance of early death for those with Alzheimer's.
"Researchers analyzed data on...
Treating Depression Often Lies in a Gray Zone
FromĀ The Washington Post: Doctors often turn first to antidepressants when treating patients with depression. However, the evidence shows that alternative treatments such as therapy...
Children Diagnosed with ADHD Younger are More Likely to get Multiple Medications
New research demonstrates that children diagnosed with ADHD at younger ages are more likely than those diagnosed later to receive multiple medications within five years of their diagnosis.
