Reflections on the RADAR Study
We still do not have adequate data to guide us on how to best reduce relapse risk; however, I think there are reasons to taper slowly.
Beyond the “Chemical Imbalance” Theory: An Interview With Prof. Joanna Moncrieff
From Psychology Today/Justin Garson PhD: "I was surprised, first of all, by the level of public interest [in my paper debunking the serotonin theory of depression] and then by the defensiveness of the profession," says psychiatrist Joanne Moncrieff.
Survivors and Families Working Together For Change: A New Project
Based on his lived experience, Ron Bassman describes his efforts to create an educational and support program that links families with survivors.
“Functional Disorders”: One of Medicine’s Biggest Failures | Marion Brown
From The BMJ: Is this a cop-out for the medical profession? Surely we need to look at what may be CAUSING the mind/body system to malfunction, and not miss out the important question of ‘could it be the medicine’?
Mental Health Staff Reluctant to Support Service Users in Tapering Antipsychotics, Study Finds
Study reveals schizophrenia patients find little support from mental health staff in reducing side effects-heavy drugs.
How Mad Studies and the Psychological Humanities are Changing Mental Health: An Interview with...
In this interview with MIA's Justin Karter, psychiatrist Bradley Lewis discusses the value of art, the humanities, and mad studies in shaping a richer understanding of psychological experiences.
Medication Overload, Part II: The Explosion of Drugs for Kids
An analysis of the huge increase in drugs for children, the role of Big Pharma, and a look at the impact on families and communities.
Not My Words, Not My Story | Julia Buxton
From Asylum Magazine: One of the first things that struck me when I entered mental health services was how little interest staff took in me describing my experiences or how I felt.
Critical Psychiatry Textbook, Chapter 16: Is There Any Future for Psychiatry? (Part One)
Peter Gøtzsche discusses the myths perpetuated by mainstream psychiatrists and the dishonest way they respond to critics.
What Celebrating Columbus Day Portends for Our Civilization | Jeremy Lent
From Salon: The Columbus mindset is the same one that is driving our global civilization toward environmental (and social) catastrophe.
Not Before Time: Lived Experience Led Justice and Repair
A landmark report has been released exploring possibilities for acknowledging the harms people experience in mental health systems.
Are You Ready for “Brain Transparency” and AI Reading your Mind?
From Igor Chudov: An "exciting" seminar at the annual WEF meeting featured new technology that allows human brains to be scanned via wearable devices and the wearer's state of mind to be instantly interpreted via their brainwaves.
Global Psychiatry’s Attempt to Excommunicate the Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to...
The UN reflected a middle-ground position for human rights-based mental health, but the response from psychiatric organisations was hostile.
Childhood Trauma: How We Learn to Lie, Hide, and Be Inauthentic
From PsychCentral/Darius Cikanavicius: Adults often see children's natural honesty as a nuisance, silliness, or even a problem, which leads to a society where dishonesty, fakeness, and inauthenticity are normal.
Ten Years Later: Still Shooting the Odds
Unfortunately, the problems that sometimes occur when people try to stop an SSRI antidepressant are still severe and long-lasting.
Students Don’t Need Spying, They Need Trust
Surveillance exacerbates anxiety, destroys trust in relationships, and diverts money away from effective treatment.
Reconsidering Forced ‘Psychiatric Care’: A Conversation with Rob Wipond
From Psychiatry at the Margins/Awais Aftab: "I don’t hear nearly enough psychiatrists speaking out and showing genuine understanding and concern about how harmful and unhelpful involuntary 'treatment' can be," says journalist Rob Wipond.
Critical Psychiatry Textbook, Chapter 15: Withdrawal of Psychiatric Drugs
Peter Gøtzsche discusses withdrawal and how to taper off psychiatric drugs.
What the RADAR Trial Tells Us About Antipsychotic Reduction and Discontinuation
Although the trial showed that you are more likely to relapse if you stop or significantly reduce your antipsychotic medication, it did not show that relapse is inevitable.
Medicalized Meddling With Neurotransmitters Leaves Us in a Big Mess
From Dr. Gary Sharpe: Human biochemistry is an example of a "complex system," where exceedingly small interference in the system can create massive and unforeseeable changes.
Surviving Techno-Dystopia
From Mental Hellth: Malcolm Harris, a Silicon Valley native and author of Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World, discusses the mental health side of techno-capitalism.
Remembrances of Linda Andre, Leader in the Fight Against ECT
Psychiatric survivors and allies mourn ECT activist and author Linda Andre and vow to continue her legacy.
What Are Psychological Defenses?
From PsychAlive: "When children are faced with pain and anxiety in their developmental years, they develop defenses to cut off that pain," says psychologist and author Robert Firestone.
Embracing the Shadow—Charlie Morley on Lucid Dreaming as Therapy
On the Mad in America podcast, we hear about the potential of lucid dreaming therapy to aid those struggling with post-traumatic stress.
Report on Improving Mental Health Outcomes
The report is intended to be used to advocate for the elimination of unwanted psychiatric interventions and to promote humane, effective, voluntary approaches.
