I was an active volunteer and a board member with NAMI for a few years. I stepped away when I realized just how drug and disease brain oriented they are.
Sometimes when I think of my local chapter, I think of a couple of demotivational sayings I once read; “None of us is as stupid as all of us” and “Never underestimate the power of idiots in large groups”.
I’ve found with my fellow board members, if I engaged one on one, they would consider another point of view. Whenever we met at a board or general meeting, forget it. I’ve met brick walls that have more give.
Same thing with several members. One on one they would listen to reason. In a large group with fellow NAMI mommies, not a snowball’s chance.
We need more people who are willing to stand up and speak out about their horrific experiences with this organization. I had some drag down knock out fights with the local chapter prior to stepping away. Sometimes I feel like the only voice of reason in the county where I reside.
I really appreciate your article. Thank you for stating the facts about NAMI.
“Specifically you can’t test for, or measure, or test against any of the diagnosis. Therefore whatever outcomes happen are “better” then what would have happened had we not pumped a person full of drugs“. I am always appalled when I hear psychiatry making that claim. Prior to going on medication, I was miserable, but at least I could hold down a job, socialize and sustain housing. Once I went on drugs, I felt so awful that maintaining a “normal” lifestyle was impossible. The three times I attempted suicide were when I was under the influence of psychotropics. Is that psychiatry’s idea of a “better” outcome?
Six years ago, against medical advice, I weaned myself off of my medications. My ” time in dungeons and on the streets” occurred while I was on medication. Since going off of my medication, I have been able to go back to school, work full time, and become a productive member of society. I am one of those who will never see a psychiatrist again.
Oops, that was supposed to be they claim, not their.
I’m always shocked at the number of people that buy into the “ Accordingly, psychiatrists argue at court hearings that no sound person would refuse medically sound treatment ” claim that psychiatry (and NAMI) make. Never mind that there is no factual or scientific evidence to back up what their claim.
If a person with a true life threatening illness, like cancer, decides not to undergo treatment, the doctor will recommend that the patient do so, but respects that person’s wishes. No one questions their sanity.
Yet someone takes a pill, has an adverse effect from it and is told, “You are not aware you’re ill. You’re out of your mind and resistant to treatment and need it forced down your throat”.
I’m glad I got out of the system when I did.
Thanks for doing the research and posting this Andrew. This is a real and frightening eye opener. I knew it didn’t take much for the FDA to approve a drug (only one or two positive test results) and that a drug didn’t even have to be proven effective. I had no idea that the FDA was covering up findings! Thanks again for posting.
J,
in response to your “Mad in America should reach out to Mad people who are involved in NAMI and MHA as well as Mad people who aren’t involved in either of those groups but who have friends or family members that use these groups’ influence and information to curtail the Mad person’s rights”, comment, ! am a person with lived experience that is on a local NAMI chapter board of directors. I also used to facilitate several of their programs (Peer to Peer, In Our Own Voice, Connection, Provider Education and Ending the Silence).
I’m all for it if there’s something that can be done to raise actual awareness for NAMI members. I’ve had a lot of fights with my fellow board members about Laura’s Law, Murphy’s Bull, er, Bill, AOT and NAMI’s general lies and misinformation. I’d call talking to NAMI akin to talking to a brick wall, except I’ve met brick walls that are more receptive.
I’m all for ideas that you or anyone else have.
Hi Sera.
Thank you for writing this article.
I was an active volunteer and a board member with NAMI for a few years. I stepped away when I realized just how drug and disease brain oriented they are.
Sometimes when I think of my local chapter, I think of a couple of demotivational sayings I once read; “None of us is as stupid as all of us” and “Never underestimate the power of idiots in large groups”.
I’ve found with my fellow board members, if I engaged one on one, they would consider another point of view. Whenever we met at a board or general meeting, forget it. I’ve met brick walls that have more give.
Same thing with several members. One on one they would listen to reason. In a large group with fellow NAMI mommies, not a snowball’s chance.
We need more people who are willing to stand up and speak out about their horrific experiences with this organization. I had some drag down knock out fights with the local chapter prior to stepping away. Sometimes I feel like the only voice of reason in the county where I reside.
I really appreciate your article. Thank you for stating the facts about NAMI.
“Specifically you can’t test for, or measure, or test against any of the diagnosis. Therefore whatever outcomes happen are “better” then what would have happened had we not pumped a person full of drugs“. I am always appalled when I hear psychiatry making that claim. Prior to going on medication, I was miserable, but at least I could hold down a job, socialize and sustain housing. Once I went on drugs, I felt so awful that maintaining a “normal” lifestyle was impossible. The three times I attempted suicide were when I was under the influence of psychotropics. Is that psychiatry’s idea of a “better” outcome?
Six years ago, against medical advice, I weaned myself off of my medications. My ” time in dungeons and on the streets” occurred while I was on medication. Since going off of my medication, I have been able to go back to school, work full time, and become a productive member of society. I am one of those who will never see a psychiatrist again.
Oops, that was supposed to be they claim, not their.
I’m always shocked at the number of people that buy into the “ Accordingly, psychiatrists argue at court hearings that no sound person would refuse medically sound treatment ” claim that psychiatry (and NAMI) make. Never mind that there is no factual or scientific evidence to back up what their claim.
If a person with a true life threatening illness, like cancer, decides not to undergo treatment, the doctor will recommend that the patient do so, but respects that person’s wishes. No one questions their sanity.
Yet someone takes a pill, has an adverse effect from it and is told, “You are not aware you’re ill. You’re out of your mind and resistant to treatment and need it forced down your throat”.
I’m glad I got out of the system when I did.
Thanks for doing the research and posting this Andrew. This is a real and frightening eye opener. I knew it didn’t take much for the FDA to approve a drug (only one or two positive test results) and that a drug didn’t even have to be proven effective. I had no idea that the FDA was covering up findings! Thanks again for posting.
J,
in response to your “Mad in America should reach out to Mad people who are involved in NAMI and MHA as well as Mad people who aren’t involved in either of those groups but who have friends or family members that use these groups’ influence and information to curtail the Mad person’s rights”, comment, ! am a person with lived experience that is on a local NAMI chapter board of directors. I also used to facilitate several of their programs (Peer to Peer, In Our Own Voice, Connection, Provider Education and Ending the Silence).
I’m all for it if there’s something that can be done to raise actual awareness for NAMI members. I’ve had a lot of fights with my fellow board members about Laura’s Law, Murphy’s Bull, er, Bill, AOT and NAMI’s general lies and misinformation. I’d call talking to NAMI akin to talking to a brick wall, except I’ve met brick walls that are more receptive.
I’m all for ideas that you or anyone else have.