No, Jill Biden Should Not Be Called “Doctor”… But Only Because No One Should
Jill deserves all the defense she is receiving. However, this rush to defend Jill’s honorific usage is missing a much bigger and far more pervasive point: NO ONE should be called “Dr. Last-name.”
Narrow Escape: My Prescribed Nightmare
It has taken me close to three years to be able to live with my memories from the hospital, where I felt completely and utterly alone, despairing that I might never live a normal life or see my family again.
Dr. Pies: Still Going Wrong
In his attacks against the British Psychological Society's report "Understanding Depression," Dr. Pies falls into his own trap: "There are none so blind as those who will not see."
Listening to the Patient Voice: The Antidepressant Withdrawal Experience
Patient advocates join with researchers and service users to present first-hand experiences of antidepressant withdrawal.
This Crisis Team Has Handled Mental Health Calls Without Cops for 30 Years
From VICE: “When the threat of coercion and that fear of violence is removed from the interaction, people can actually engage and de-escalate," said mental health lawyer Anita Szigeti.
Insane Medicine, Chapter 5: The Manufacture of Childhood Depression (Part 2)
The promotion of SSRI antidepressant use began with the pharmaceutical industry and occurs despite evidence that these drugs are harmful, not helpful, in children and adolescents.
To Save the World, We’re Going to Have to Stop Working
From The Big Think: If we don’t break ourselves of this addiction quickly, we will leave our progeny to face catastrophes on a scale which will make the current pandemic seem trivial.
Literally Indescribable: Are Antidepressants Addictive?
“My life was very, very good.” That’s how Michael sums up how things were for him—prior to his suffering from devastating withdrawal effects after discontinuing GlaxoSmithKline’s blockbuster drug Paxil.
Psychiatric Medication: Does It Work?
One can lead a good life with a “mental illness” and I am the case. Yes, it is possible. Even with a diagnosis of “bipolar” above your head.
Do Antipsychotics Protect Against Early Death? Or Contribute to It?
From Psychological Medicine: Editor Robin Murray stirs a debate on the impact of antipsychotics on mortality among those diagnosed with psychotic disorders.
Letters to My Doctors (Part 2)
Why am I whole when I dance and paint but deathly ill when faced by a European/American medical mechanic? Why was I locked in a room for a week in the first place? Was it to heal? Or was it to fill a bed?
Racial Microaggressions Take a Major Toll on Black Americans
From The Washington Post: Subtle, everyday forms of mistreatment and discrimination have a major impact on psychological and physical health.
Finding Meaning in Suffering: How Existentialism Can Help
Suffering is a universal human condition. But without making meaning of suffering, it can overwhelm us. Finding meaning in suffering might help to find the will to survive when life is difficult.
Surviving the Bipolar Label
The label bipolar validated that I was suffering, yes, but it was also a bargain that asked me to see my suffering as unreasonable, the result of a deformity within my body.
The Onion: Majority of Psychological Experiments Conducted in 1970s Just Crimes
From The Onion: "Much of the time these researchers didn’t even bother to test a hypothesis or collect data, but instead just tortured student volunteers for amusement."
Insane Medicine, Chapter 5: The Manufacture of Childhood Depression (Part 1)
The medicalisation of our emotional lives has led to a horrific cultural shift in which we, and our children, have become alienated from and suspicious of our emotions, chipping away at our natural resilience.
The Patient Voice: Antidepressant Withdrawal, MUS and FND
From BJGP Life: Diagnoses of MUS (medically unexplained symptoms) or FND (functional neurological disorder) may be covering up serious prescribed drug effects.
Collective Action for Collective Healing – A Q&A With Thomas Hübl
From The Harvard Gazette: "Underneath trauma there’s always healing, which means an ethical restoration and ethical upgrade. Post-traumatic growth is an ethical realignment."
No, Autism Is Not Over-Diagnosed
Autism is an umbrella diagnosis at this point. The broadness of the diagnosis doesn’t tend to be useful to clinicians. But it is very useful to the individuals who live with it.
Exploring Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal: A Town Hall Discussion Series
Our new discussion series aims to explore what we do and don’t know about safe withdrawal from antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and stimulants.
Letters to My Doctors (Part 1)
I struggle as to how to talk to you guys, and there can be no progress without communication. Today, I am attempting to begin a bridge so that you will not be afraid of me and I will not be afraid of you.
The Ups and Downs of Online Therapy
Now that the novelty has worn off and we are able to step back and analyze the situation, what does the switch to teletherapy portend for our profession?
New FDA Study Shows Benzodiazepines Can Cause Long-Term Injury
The FDA has finally acknowledged the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, the dangers of withdrawal, and that the current packaging does not sufficiently warn of these harms.
San Francisco Launches New Police-Alternative Program
From The Mercury News: Under the pilot program, teams of paramedics, behavioral health clinicians and peer specialists will respond to certain non-violent 911 calls in the city, instead of cops.
A Dialogue on Psychosis and Trauma
From Psychiatric Times: Three British experts discuss various ways to respond to and help people who have experienced trauma and psychosis.
