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...
Intergenerational Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
The daughters of children evacuated from Finland during World War II show an increased number of psychiatric hospitalizations.
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.
Study Privileges the Voices of Persons Hospitalized Against Their Will
How people are treated after being hospitalized can either help them to overcome the traumatic effects of coercion or make them worse.
Antidepressant to Blame for Frank Sinatra’s Failing Health
FromĀ Fox News: According to Frank Sinatra's manager Eliot Weisman, Sinatra suffered from several adverse effects of the antidepressant Elavil during his final years.
"...there was...
Vampire Medicines
In this piece, Dr. David Healy describes the various factors contributing to the lack of awareness surrounding the harmful and potentially dangerous effects of...
Depressed Patients on Antidepressants Do Worse in the Long Run
FromĀ Medical Xpress: A new analysis of the long-term effects of antidepressants found that symptoms of depression were more sharply elevated nine years following treatment...
Psychiatrists Have Issued a Statement on Aversion Therapy
FromĀ BuzzFeed: The Royal College of Psychiatrists has issued a historic statement acknowledging the harm done toĀ lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who were subjected to...
Film Highlights Harm From Benzo Overuse
FromĀ The Right Care Alliance: Documentary filmmaker and benzodiazepine survivor Holly Hardman is currently working on a film called As Prescribed,Ā which will document the stories...
Vegas Shooter was Reportedly Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Meds
From theĀ New York Post: Mass murderer Stephen Paddock was reportedly prescribed anti-anxiety medication this past summer. The gunman purchased 50 10-milligram tablets of Valium...
Review Finds Little Evidence that Electroconvulsive Therapy is Effective for Depression
Researchers examined the dearth of support for Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depressive symptoms in light of studies detailing the associated risks.
Coroner Finds Anti-Smoking Drug Contributed to Man’s Suicide
FromĀ ABC: A Queensland Coroner has found that the anti-smoking drug Champix played a role in the suicide of a 22-year-old man, Timothy John, who...
Lawsuit Over a Suicide Points to a Risk of Antidepressants
FromĀ The New York Times: The recent trial of Wendy Dolin, whose husband died of suicideĀ after starting the antidepressant paroxetine, demonstrates our need for more...
Why Addiction Language is Harmful
In this video forĀ Benzo Brains, Jocelyn Pedersen explains why addiction is harmful to benzodiazepine survivors and differentiates benzodiazepine associated disability (BAD) from benzodiazepine addiction.
Inappropriate Use of Antipsychotics on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
One-third of adults with an intellectual or developmental disability are dispensed antipsychotics, despite having no existing psychiatric diagnosis.
Abilify: The Drug That Could Gamble Your Life Away
On this episode ofĀ America's Lawyer, Mike Papantonio discusses the numerous lawsuits pending involving the anti-psychotic drug Abilify, which has caused plaintiffs to develop serious...
Psychiatry’s Necessary Shadow: The Philosophy of Mental Illness
In this pieceĀ forĀ Medium, AndrĆ©s Ruiz explores the reasons that psychiatry is the only medical speciality with an anti-movement and a history of sustained criticism....
Lithium
In this pieceĀ forĀ Healing Journey, Anne O'Beirne briefly summarizes the history of the medical usage of lithium and describes the impact that the drug has...
Criticism of Coercion and Forced Treatment in Psychiatry
A recent editorial, published in BMJ, argues there is an increase in coercive measures in psychiatry that are damaging to individuals diagnosed with mental illness.
Vanda Puts Antipsychotic Side Effect Front and Center in TV Ads
FromĀ FiercePharma: Vanda Pharmaceuticals, which makes the antipsychotic drug Fanapt, has recently rolled out a national TV campaign to raise awareness of akathisia. The company...
Ethical Failings in Experimental Drug Safety Trials
Leading human subjects ethics researcher questions exploitation of uninsured minorities in experimental drug trials.
Frances, Healy at Odds Over Program on SSRIs and Violence
Allen FrancesĀ and David Healy have expressed differing opinions onĀ A Prescription for Murder, BBC Panorama's recent documentary on the association between antidepressants and violence. While...
Patients With Schizophrenia Show Better Work Functioning Off Antipsychotics
20-year follow-up study finds that after four years, patients not prescribed antipsychotics have significantly better work functioning.
