“….An inquest in 2018 ruled that the use of olanzapine was appropriate …”
What the Inquest says is “..if necessary a doctor can kill a patient in MH..”
This is a case that Doctors have been ‘found out’ in, but the reality could be – that they regularly Kill within ‘Mental Health’, and consider it to be their right to do so.
I have presented my own experience previously on Mad In America.
The ‘Elephant in the Living Room’ here, has got to be that most “Schizophrenics” that “Act Out” in the Community have recently come off “medication” (and are not suffering from “Insanity” but from “Drug Induced Withdrawal Syndrome” i.e. They Are Innocent).
There are no vitamins in the supermarket!
Thanks Karen,
The whole thing about this “form of medicine”, is to gain “co operation” from the patient.
Schizophrenia is treatable isnt it? So if the person gets treatment they get on with their lives don’t they?
Thank You Dr Timimi,
I’ll need to read this article carefully.
Macdonaldisation:- about 2 million people are in jail in America, 1% percent of people in America are estimated ‘Schizophrenic’ , 1% estimated Autistic, up to 10% with ADHD, several per cent estimated Bipolar, and several per cent Depressed and Anxious. So theres lots of ‘unreliable’ people in the Country.
Once a person processed as a Psychiatric Patient tries to come off their “antipsychotics” they will more than likely go MAD.
When a “Schizophrenic” stops taking his “medication” he generally “relapses” – as does a person misdiagnosed with “Schizophrenia” (and put on “medication”).
“…Neurobiology
The researchers explain that “relapse” of psychotic experiences after discontinuing antipsychotics, especially very soon after stopping the drug, is likely due to withdrawal effects. One strong piece of evidence for this is that people who don’t have psychotic experiences but who are given antipsychotics for other, unrelated conditions (like nausea or lactation problems) sometimes end up experiencing psychosis after stopping the drugs…”
Apologies if I’m slightly off topic above.
I never really got to sample the “new wonder drugs” because by the time these drugs came to the market I had cut mysdlf down to miniscule non intrusive doses of the really old drugs, and that was good enough for me.
Then the old drugs were removed and I did try miniscule doses of the new drugs.
Ultimately my GPs tried to make out I must be severely unwell mentally because I was prepared to consume very small doses of these new drugs, so I stopped taking the new drugs, but when I did I also discovered that they had no psychiatric effect whatsoever, at the level I had consumed them.
I wondered why my UK GP s were so keen to attempt to discredit me – but as it happens I can see issues in my history that would provide reasons for their behaviour.
Thank you Alex,
CTO’S
A recent Article in Jama Psychiatry from Mark Howoritz, (Sir) Robin Murray, and David Taylor, Scientifically contradicts in my opinion – the use of CTOs.
VERY SLOW AS OPPOSED TO ABRUPT TAPER
The article recommends a Slow Neuroleptic Tapering approach. And “Neuroleptic Withdrawal Induced Psychosis” is acknowledged as a problem / as opposed to “Abrupt Medication Discontinuation Relapse”.
CTO ABRUPT NEUROLEPTIC TAPER
Since most attempted Neuroleptic Withdrawals fall into an Abrupt Category, then these failed Withdrawals do not indicate “Relapse or Return of Illness” but “Problems with Drug Withdrawal”.
“…As there is some evidence that not all patients need lifelong antipsychotic treatment and some may have improved social functioning when taking less or no antipsychotic, cautious deprescribing should be a component of high-quality prescribing practice….”
ABRUPT TAPER VERSUS VERY SLOW TAPER
My own MH Records reflect:- 4 Hospitalizations a Suicide Attempt and “A Near Miss” in 5 Months, following the Permission to withdraw Abruptly from a Fluphenazine Depot Injection ; and 36 Years of Continual Wellness following my own decision to Taper Very Carefully.
ALSO NEEDED…
In my own case a Very Careful Neuroleptic Taper wasn’t enough, I still need to gain an understanding of how my “Neuroleptic Withdrawal High Anxiety” “Worked” and “What I could do about it”.
The Heading says it!
(I consider “mental health” to be a law into itself -)…
Steve, I notice that I have more or less disappeared from the Discussion section. Is there any reason for this?
Everything useful presented in this Research, by the World Experts on the Subject, has already been presented on Mad in America (by the “independently recovered”) – but the professional acknowledgement (IMO) is also very worthwhile.
(I consider “Mental Health” to be a law unto itself .
When I complained at a GP Surgery some years ago about genuine misuse of information:- a “doctor” by way of comment recorded to my notes: “…mildly agitated but no sign of thought disorder..”. Which would be like me saying: “..I have full confidence that Dr xxx has not engaged in shoplifting in the past six months..” )
Hi Ted, Scary Stuff.
Singer Bob Geldoff confided that after his wife’s tragic death some years ago he seriously considered suicide as an option – but he wasn’t incarcerated for this.
UK Comedian Russell Brand supposedly has a diagnosis of “Bipolar” and Singer Elton John’s behaviour was supposedly erratic at one time – but neither of these stars were conferred with a (UK type) “Conservativeship”.
Sponging off the Welfare State
Since the Psychiatric system has little success anyway, I believe the genuine “Experts” are the people that reject the Psychiatric system.
I was diagnosed as a relapsing “Schizophrenic” in Western Ireland, until I made Recovery 30 plus years ago as a result of stopping Psychiatric treatment.
At this time 30 plus years ago: My Psychiatrist (a University Researcher) was on the examining board of the Royal College of Psychiatrists; and the Professor of Pharmacology (at the local University), was President of the British Association of Psychopharmacologists.
Psychiatry today is still useless
Another 1st Class exposure, Lawrence.
It’s even possible to develop withdrawal syndrome while consuming drugs like Xanax.
I’d imagine most normal people experience positive and negative social thoughts inside their heads, as people are social beings and life is socially competitive.
In my experience very few qualified doctors are capable of distinguishing between a social thought inside a person’s head and the hearing of Voices outside a person’s head.
…It is possible for people diagnosed with “Schizophrenia” to survive successfully without “medication” but it would be recommended they withdraw very carefully from neuroleptics, as these drugs can cause weaknesses in the brains systems.
As far as I know the authors don’t recommend any methods for dealing with the “Neuroleptic Exposure High Anxiety”
– this is what’s missing from the paper.
The solutions can be found in Straightforward Psychology.
Sam,
Its amazing how successful the ‘information block’ (in these times) can be. People that ‘rock the boat’ can find themselves permanently unemployable.
“Peer” has got to be mutual support from others with similar experience. The Hearing Voices Network in London is only open during normal working hours, and I believe mostly supervised by non voice hearers. Can this be “peer” support?
Steve
Your account reminds me of my “Rehabilitation” many years ago, when a nurse explained to me that the way to get into work, was to start with half days and extend to full days.
I remember visiting a friend of mind (a shrewd psychiatric survivor) at the time, who advised me to go back to my Specialist and get my restlesness sorted out.
Once the restlessness was sorted out, I didn’t need rehabilitation .
Akithisia is “Stereotypical” – All Psychiatric staff should be able to identify it; and should be prepared to approach doctors neglecting their professional duties.
The main expressed problem my Consultant Psychiatrist had with me (many years ago) was my “inability to maintain routine” – but it was him that was sponging off the Welfare State – NOT me.
Thank you Sam.
Thank you Chris,
Akathisia Killing Fields
I attended a ‘Mental Health Legal Function’ in Central London several years ago where a prominent Mental Health Lawyer/Tribunal Representative provided an informative speech to newly qualified Mental Health Lawyers.
When I brought up the subject of Non Acknowledgement of Akathisia in Involuntary Mental Health Treatment with the speaker – his Answer was automatic and ‘off the cuff’ – he said that if Akathisia were acknowledged, then Doctors would NOT be able to prescribe the ‘medications’, (he then blushed very strongly).
The average family doctor prescriber is not even aware!
What I mean is: People with Lived Experience of Voices are the suitable Guides in the area of Voices.
Hi Sherry
Thank you for writing this, it is very helpful.
You’re ‘mental health drug withdrawal’ experience sounds as bad as a ‘dreadful illness’. I have my own personal experience of similar.
It’s possible to carefully stop taking drugs ‘suitable for Schizophrenia’; to experience Extreme Anxiety as a result; and to overcome this Extreme Anxiety (through normal Psychological Means).
Thanks Dmitriy,
People with personal experience are the experts not the Psychological or Psychiatric Systems.
“Drug Withdrawal Rebound Relapse Effect” explains the Creation of Schizophrenia.
If most people “relapse” fairly quickly when they come off “medication” – then most people don’t genuinely “relapse”.
This acknowledgement by the “experts” is better late than never.
It took me 6 years 1984 – 1990 to come down from a 25 mg monthly injection of modecate (“suitable for schizophrenia”) to 25mg of oral mellaril per day (suitable for hiccoughs). But my Drug induced disability ended in 1984.
Are the people wishing not to take ‘medication’ ‘psychotic’, or do they just have problems. If they were ‘psychotic’ surely they wouldn’t be able to communicate.
‘Psychotic’ is probably one of the worst things that can be said about a person!
Thanks Jocelyn,
I believe there’s a basic rule in terms of consuming substance; that any substance that makes a person feel better in the Short Term, will eventually make them feel worse in the Long Term.
I “relapsed” several times when I attempted to come off “Neuroleptic Medication” (abruptly) – but I didn’t relapse when I tapered carefully (and learned to cope with Neuroleptic Withdrawal “High Anxiety”):-
“….The researchers explain that “relapse” of psychotic experiences after discontinuing antipsychotics, especially very soon after stopping the drug, is likely due to withdrawal effects….”
I considered myself to be “in the clear” once I was no longer taking disabling doses of medication, because I could get on with my life.
To kill them, maybe.
I believe it’s fairly difficult for a person to pass themselves off as disabled in the UK, other than in the area of Mental Health. I wonder why this is?
Hi Karin, excellent article.
If a person can sit with suffering (even as an experiment) for a period of time, it can be amazing how the suffering can transform into something else.
Most acts of “Mental Health Suicide/Violence/Homicide” in my opinion are caused by Psychiatric Treatments, and society would be far safer without involuntary treatment. I can produce a lot of reliable evidence from my Medical Records to support this opinion.
“Anosgonosia” could probably be applied to anyone.
There’s been so many deaths on Fluphenazine that retrospectively could be traced to Akathisia and the Drug, that Doctors and Governments are hiding the information and getting away with it.
There’s also an unbelievable Withdrawal Syndrome attached to Fluphenazine WHICH can be overcome with help and patience i.e the “Schizophrenic” can walk again.
“….In 1998, Donald Schell, who had been taking Paxil (an SSRI) for two days, shot and killed his wife, Rita, his daughter, Deborah, and his nine-month-old granddaughter, Alyssa, and then killed himself. In 2001, a Wyoming jury in Tobin vs. SmithKline Beecham found:
“…SmithKline 80% liable for Schell’s actions…holding that ‘Paxil can cause some individuals to commit homicide and/or suicide.’” (here)…”
“…Psychiatrists are defined by their ability to dispense pills ostensibly designed to treat diseases of the mind. ..”
We all know people that have recovered. Did they Recover through taking pills, or not taking Pills?
As well as not taking Pills they would have utilised some type of “saving practise” – would this have been Psychotherapy or Something Else? I think Something Else.
Most recovered people probably found their own way.
*It’s important to only come off ‘medication’ VERY carefully.
Because if you talk about it “they’ll” come and get you.
Thank You Philip,
Fluphenazine began to (discretely) go out of business in 2016. I would say that this drug was responsible for its own Holocaust. I would even say that Fluphenazine probably killed more “diagnosed people” than “the Nazis” did.
Many Thanks Wendy,
It’s good that you survived to tell your story and help other people in the same predicament.
I’m going to study your website.
Hi, interestingly enough I was attempting to look through the life expectancy rates of different UK ethnic groups (in the past few days). I was able to find information on several groups but strangely could not find any reliable information on the Life Expectancy Of UK Afro Caribeannn People.
Chinese men in the UK had the highest disability free life expectancy and Asian women in certain groups had much lower disability free rates even though their life expectancy was the same as average.
But Irish Travellers and Romany People (the traditionally discriminated against), had a VERY low life expectancy of 50 years – for men. This could point to the fact that discriminated people die a lot sooner even, than might be expected.
I hope I’m not too far “off theme” in my comment here.
The Psychiatric Antidepressant approach is a form of Insanity.
I find topical psychiatric SEXUAL discussion a bit amusing as for the time I consumed any level of “therepeutic psychiatric chemotherapy” I was incapable of any type of sexual performance. At this time Sexual fulfillment was also probably the least of my problems.
Good Advice tapernurse and kindredspirit.
“…“While tapering can be uneventful, no doctor can guarantee a safe and successful withdrawal at this time.” Which is good reason the doctors should stop prescribing the SSRIs and SNRIs in the first place…”
Exactly! There’s no point on going on drugs that cause more serious “problems”, than a person has.
The average UK doctor (as far as I know) is not even realistically informed on what AKATHISIA is – and if they were realistically informed, (IMO) they would not prescribe ‘antidepressants’.
Anti depressants can cause suicide and Homicide and this is medically accepted, but when someone on antidrepessants goes mad and kills another person, the “authorities” tend not to know what to do.
Maybe there’s just (unresolved) “anxiety”.
Of Blessed Memory of Julie Greene:- All the Scientific Evidence points to the ‘Medical Approach’ making matters worse; and those that Genuinely Recover, recovering through abandoning the ‘Medical Approach’.
Thank You Robert for the brilliant Article,
In my opinion the Medical Model has proven that it has NO Solutions – only Disability and Early Death.
The Social Determinant Model has proven that it HAS Solutions and can even offer Self Actualization:
There’s such a thing as pushy parents pressurizing their children to become professionals when the children are not suitable. But I’ve never heard of this as a source if madness.
Sometimes parents pressurize children that are equipped but that don’t see a professional career as something they would like to be involved in. But these people usually escape successfully.
But lots of so called ‘professionals’ are completely incompetent and still manage to earn a reasonable living.
The Helping Hand
The people that do have genuine recovery are by far the best people to help other people recover – and it usually makes them feel good too.
Dr Philip,
I don’t know if unrealistic career expectations apply to me or not:-
The image above presents some of my craftsmanship. Initially the image might appear to represent a special finish (but the blue spots actually represent ‘snags’ that need to be put right).
About time!
I’ve heard it said that there’s an ‘alcoholic’ in every family, if this is true then it would discount a genetic component to ‘serious mental health diagnoses’.
Hi,
In terms of Economics how much does a dependent, non recovered ‘Schizophrenic’ or ‘Bi Polar’ cost the USA per year?
Akathisia is related to the
1. Starting
2. Stopping or
3. Changing of a drug, (it’s ‘traceable’).
So, if Akathisia were genuinely acknowledged, the information could lead to “historical investigations”.
But akathisia is not being genuinely acknowledged, so people are still dying from drug induced suicide, and people are
being blamed (and locked up) for drug induced behaviour that is ‘completely beyond their control’*
*(I’ve attempted suicide twice in a state of Neuroleptic Induced Acute Akathisia in my early 20s, 1980 to 1984.).
The Offending (Akathisia) Drug ‘Fluphenazine’ was still in use after 1983, but it began to be removed from the Worldwide market around 2016 on account of its “unreliable sources of production”.
“…For example, a study published in 1982 reported that when a group of patients with schizophrenia were each given 20 mg of fluphenazine, the difference between the highest and lowest blood level of the drug was 40-fold. Thus, a very low dose of an antipsychotic is sufficient to control the symptoms of many patients with schizophrenia, even if it does not produce full recovery, whereas other patients may require much higher doses to achieve the same effect…”
I’d say, most prescribers don’t understand the dosage blood volume difference, and this might be why so many people ‘GO MAD’ (Akathisia) on ‘antidepressants’ :-
My picture of CBT is that it’s the same as traditional psychotherapy but in straight forward terms.
When I “catastrophise”, and recognise that I’m “catastophising” I can definitely do something about it. But I don’t see CBT as an instant ‘cure’.
The “Catastrophisation” I suffered from, had followed my withdrawal from a Long Acting Modecate Depot Injection (“suitable” for “Schizophrenia”).
“..Let’s put this matter in context. For the last four decades or so, research psychiatrists have labored strenuously in their respective areas to uncover the biological pathologies that would validate their various diagnoses, i.e. would prove that they are real illnesses…”
The problem as I see it, is that Psychiatry has NO Solutions. Psychiatric Treatments deteriorate and disable people – and this is why ‘Severe Mental Illness’ is classified as a long term condition.
The Solutions exist only outside of Medical Psychiatry.
Thank you Dr Philip,
I hope I’m not too far off topic here.
I estimate that least 50% of all people become “Schizophrenic” in the same way as I did i.e. through the consumption of strong psychiatric drugs (and the people that recover, usually recover as a result of carefully ‘not taking their medication’).
“…In the most robust UK study to date, the incidence of schizophrenia was found to be ninefold higher in black Caribbeans than in the white British population…”
The above UK study is Bulls**t.
I believe Kanye Wests first Psychiatric Drug prior to the advent of ‘his’ ‘BiPolar’ ‘Mania’ was the Antidepressant Lexapro.
Hi Rose,
Your story sounds like a good warning to anyone thinking about seeing a Psychiatrist with an ‘anxiety problem’. The warning maybe being that ‘the Psychiatrist might not have a clue’.
As soon as I saw Zoloft I was wondering where Zantax was. But you found the right path in the end.
I recovered, in my 20s, through a micro withdrawal process. The Consultant Psychiatrist had offered me the option of Abrupt Withdrawal from a Depot Injection but this proved ‘unsuitable’ (even though depot is supposed to leave the body very slowly).
I’ve noticed that the generally offered abrupt withdrawal (option) from Depot Medication usually ends up badly, but I think this is because the person hasn’t been given a decent chance. So I think that what Psychiatrists describe as ‘Genuine Schizophrenia’ is more a bit of a ‘Lottery’.
Thank You Dr Florence,
“…Without a self-articulated framework, those deemed “mad” will remain subject to the symbolic and material violence of experts…” – Violence / Torture.
If every “Severely And Enduringly Mentally Ill” person can completely recover through non drug (/non physical) means as I was assured by a Clinical Psychologist in Ireland in1983, and as the British Psychological Society (to a large extent) supports – then I wonder why so many Qualified Psychologists appear to behave as if they accept differently?
“…Mr Nugent said Mrs Palmer was admitted to a psychiatric unit at the hospital under the care of Prof Fahy. She was kept there for a week. To the consternation of her husband, her own family and her friends who contacted the hospital, she was released. ..”
“…”This is hell”, nine times over. “A disgusting waste of two beautiful girls – two human beings” on the reverse. These were among the last words written by Mrs Catherine Palmer, jotted on a note found in her trouser pocket by Garda Michael Harte after her death…”
I notice the people that do genuinely recover tend to recover independently, of the Very Expensive UK Mental Health System. In other areas of Medical Achievement the NHS is considered to be maybe the best in the world.
Thank you Sarah, your writing is very easy to read and register. It seems that the result, of whats on offer from Psychiatry by way of help, is equivalent to some type of industrial disaster.
I notice the UK seems to be making consistent Human Rights Progress (Directly Questioning Fixed Beliefs with Scientific Evidence):-
“…Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
Many psychiatrists believe that severe mental health problems like schizophrenia must be treated with medication, but if you don’t want to take antipsychotics, there are alternative treatments you can try. You may find it’s possible to manage your symptoms, or to make a full recovery, without medication. This page covers:
Talking treatments
Arts therapies
Ecotherapy
Complementary and alternative therapies
Peer support groups
Healthy lifestyle changes…”
“…For example, 72 per cent of those with first episode psychosis treated via an Open Dialogue approach returned to work or study within two years, despite significantly lower rates of medication and hospitalisation compared to treatment as usual…”
theloniusmonk,
I came off my Modecate Depot Injection (with permission), because of its disabling side effects in late 1983, and ended up in hospital fairly quickly afterwards. I was put back on an increased dosage of Modecate while in hospital – and I experienced an Akathisia induced suicide attempt in early 1984.
I then tried to come off the Modecate Injection again, but I couldn’t, so I asked my doctors for a medication with less side effects. Another medication Depixol Depot Injection was recommended – but after taking the Depixol injection I became suicidal (with Akathisia) and I had to fight my way back into hospital (where I stayed for less than 2 days).
I then asked doctors to prescribe me an Oral “medication” which they did, but I found I also suffered from “Drug Withdrawal High Anxiety”. This “High Anxiety” could have driven me MAD, had I not learnt how to deal with it.
I was able to function with the Oral medication and as my ability to deal with my “High Anxiety” improved, I was able to cut the Oral Medication down very gradually, to eventually nothing.
Doctor David Healy was around during my “Drug Withdrawal” at Galway Ireland Regional Hospital 1983/1984, and I visited him with my notes, in Wales in 2018. Dr Healy provided me with a letter stating that he was confident that I had never suffered from Severe Mental Illness to begin with, and that it was likely that the treatment had been the problem.
But, if I hadn’t learnt how to overcome my ” Drug Induced High Anxiety” through Psychological Means, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been in a position to challenge any “Diagnosis” – I would more than likely have been DEAD.
“…Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
Thank you Sam.
EMOTION AND THE DIGITAL AGE
Thanks Professor Ian Tucker and Dr Tim Beck for the great Article.
I was reading about Jack Dorsey CEO of ‘Twitter’ and ‘Square’ and how he lives.
He walks five miles to work several days a week.
He only eats one meal per day during the week (usually chicken and vegetables or salad), and doesn’t eat at all on Saturday.
He does 2 hours Vipassana Meditation every day, and for his holiday he went to a 10 day, all day meditation retreat.
He’s one of the richest people in America but his main enjoyments could probably be practised by anyone.
(He has a very nice house also, I believe, and he might date supermodels).
In a tribal society a creative person can have value especially when the tribe is under pressure, but in an industrial society people that don’t conform are an “excess to requirements”. “Schizophrenia” was invented around the same time as the industrial revolution.
There were lots of other things around prior to the industrial revolution, but no “schizophrenia”. Once the medications arrived – the job was done. The “schizophrenics” could be “switched off”.
Neuroleptics AKA “Antipsychotics” (according to my verifiable experience) CAUSE the Symptoms associated with “those at Risk of Psychosis”, they do not alleviate them.
I felt okay not taking “antipsychotics” to begin with. But when I attempted to come off them some years later (abruptly, with permission), I had 4 hospitalizations in 5 months a suicide attempt and an almost suicide.
It took me 6 years to carefully withdraw from a dosage suitable for “schizophrenia”. But I wouldn’t have made it, if I had not come to the realization that I was suffering from the “High Anxiety” of “antipsychotic drug withdrawal”.
I had never previously experienced anything like this Anxiety. My exposure to these drugs could have driven me MAD.
To cope with the High Anxiety of Neuroleptic drug Withdrawal, I had to learn to sit with “acutely uncomfortable feelings”, and to “stay out of my head” at the same time. When I “balanced off” my thinking would return to a “hypothetical level”, which was always safe for me.
I Recovered as a result of stopping Neuroleptic / Psychotogenic Drugs.
“….Statistics suggest a black man in the UK is 17 times more likely than a white man to be diagnosed with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar…”
John Weir Perry, Stan Groff, David Lukoff, Richard Bentall, Sinead Gallagher.
“….The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
Someone Else,
“….How an industry can claim to “know everything about the meds,” yet…”
You’ve hit the nail on the head!
The situation is Ridiculous!
Thanks Sam.
Some people claim that “Antidepressants are prescribed like sweets”. But taking these Drugs can have long term affects:-
APPLYING TO JOIN THE ESSEX POLICE
QUESTION
I am taking antidepressants for depression. My depression is really well controlled. Would this affect my application?
ANSWER
Each decision is made after a careful consideration of the facts. The severity of the condition is reflected by the type of antidepressant, its strength and the duration of treatment in addition to many other factors.
We would also consider the 2004 Home Office guidance which generally advises against accepting recruits whilst they are still being treated with antidepressants and for a period after stopping them. We recognise that this is guidance but guidance holds a particular status in law.
The main goal of the assessment is to determine your mental resilience and the probability of further episodes of impaired mental health. Police work is like no other and good mental resilience and emotional stability are paramount.
“…This was so clear that the US FDA demanded that a black box warning be put onto the label…”
These drugs can also cause Homicide:- The Characteristics of Akathisia induced Behaviour are:-
1. The Behaviour follows the stopping starting or changing of a “Psychiatric Medication”
2. The Behaviour is Extreme
3.The Behaviour is out of Character
What Neuroleptic drugs do is create conditions of “Indifference”. So a person is not worried about what’s on their minds, or anything else.
Buddhist Psychology/Philosophy encourages a state of “Equanamity” where a person is aware of their circumstances but accepting of them. From this position problems are not too difficult to deal with.
Dr Robin Murray towards the end of his career also acknowledged the existence of “Neuroleptic Withdrawal Syndrome”. This condition is IMO, what holds people in “Long Term Severe Mental Illness”.
The Black Psychiatrists and MH Workers In my Opinion are likely to do as much damage as the White Psychiatrists and MH Workers.
Your experience must have been full of great suffering but as a Psychologist you’ve gone through the eye of the needle and come out the other side. How many so called experts can claim this?
I’m a bit of a fan of Eckhart Tolles myself. Though, I’m still trying to see exactly what he’s got.
I hope to come across more of you on Mad in America!
The UK seems to be one of the countries that’s consistently making advances in “Mental Health”.
I doubt my heart would be functioning on 1000mg per day!
Jill, I was prescribed 25mg of Seroquel per day and I was taking about 6 mg of Seroquel per day (I used to bite it in 4). When I stopped the Seroquel I still had years of unsuccessful sleeping.
6mg Seroquel taken 10 minutes before I went to bed, used to knock me out.
Well done Angela. And thank you for telling us about it.
Klonopin sounds like a good drug to start off with – to drive a person MAD.
I was given permission to come off my meds abruptly, and I didn’t last long. But it worked when I slowly tapered over many years. I also found workable answers for my ‘High Anxiety’ within Psychology and Self Help.
And thank you also James!
Psychiatric Care Fails to Address High Suicide Rates of Native Alaskans. Psychiatric care as I understand it might make matters worse.
Medically Psychopathic Behaviour
“….An inquest in 2018 ruled that the use of olanzapine was appropriate …”
What the Inquest says is “..if necessary a doctor can kill a patient in MH..”
This is a case that Doctors have been ‘found out’ in, but the reality could be – that they regularly Kill within ‘Mental Health’, and consider it to be their right to do so.
I have presented my own experience previously on Mad In America.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYO9r1FkdJSv8Bi8Q3c3u9WXNZXkmxvO/view?usp=drivesdk
Insanity or Akathisia
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/criminal-court/deirdre-morley-expected-to-plead-not-guilty-due-to-insanity-of-murdering-her-children-1.4384982?mode=amp
Yes “Compliance”
Someone Else,
The treatments cause “Schizophrenia”:-
I was okay not taking ‘medication’ in 1980, but by 1983 when I tried to come off ‘medication’, I couldn’t survive (inside my head) without it.
This phenomenon has been acknowledged recently by “Experts in the Field”:-
https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/slow-taper-best-antipsychotic-discontinuation/
The ‘Elephant in the Living Room’ here, has got to be that most “Schizophrenics” that “Act Out” in the Community have recently come off “medication” (and are not suffering from “Insanity” but from “Drug Induced Withdrawal Syndrome” i.e. They Are Innocent).
There are no vitamins in the supermarket!
Thanks Karen,
The whole thing about this “form of medicine”, is to gain “co operation” from the patient.
Schizophrenia is treatable isnt it? So if the person gets treatment they get on with their lives don’t they?
Thank You Dr Timimi,
I’ll need to read this article carefully.
Macdonaldisation:- about 2 million people are in jail in America, 1% percent of people in America are estimated ‘Schizophrenic’ , 1% estimated Autistic, up to 10% with ADHD, several per cent estimated Bipolar, and several per cent Depressed and Anxious. So theres lots of ‘unreliable’ people in the Country.
This is the correct LINK
https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/slow-taper-best-antipsychotic-discontinuation/
Once a person processed as a Psychiatric Patient tries to come off their “antipsychotics” they will more than likely go MAD.
When a “Schizophrenic” stops taking his “medication” he generally “relapses” – as does a person misdiagnosed with “Schizophrenia” (and put on “medication”).
https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/slow-taper-best-antipsychotic-discontinuation/
“…Neurobiology
The researchers explain that “relapse” of psychotic experiences after discontinuing antipsychotics, especially very soon after stopping the drug, is likely due to withdrawal effects. One strong piece of evidence for this is that people who don’t have psychotic experiences but who are given antipsychotics for other, unrelated conditions (like nausea or lactation problems) sometimes end up experiencing psychosis after stopping the drugs…”
Apologies if I’m slightly off topic above.
I never really got to sample the “new wonder drugs” because by the time these drugs came to the market I had cut mysdlf down to miniscule non intrusive doses of the really old drugs, and that was good enough for me.
Then the old drugs were removed and I did try miniscule doses of the new drugs.
Ultimately my GPs tried to make out I must be severely unwell mentally because I was prepared to consume very small doses of these new drugs, so I stopped taking the new drugs, but when I did I also discovered that they had no psychiatric effect whatsoever, at the level I had consumed them.
I wondered why my UK GP s were so keen to attempt to discredit me – but as it happens I can see issues in my history that would provide reasons for their behaviour.
Thank you Alex,
CTO’S
A recent Article in Jama Psychiatry from Mark Howoritz, (Sir) Robin Murray, and David Taylor, Scientifically contradicts in my opinion – the use of CTOs.
VERY SLOW AS OPPOSED TO ABRUPT TAPER
The article recommends a Slow Neuroleptic Tapering approach. And “Neuroleptic Withdrawal Induced Psychosis” is acknowledged as a problem / as opposed to “Abrupt Medication Discontinuation Relapse”.
CTO ABRUPT NEUROLEPTIC TAPER
Since most attempted Neuroleptic Withdrawals fall into an Abrupt Category, then these failed Withdrawals do not indicate “Relapse or Return of Illness” but “Problems with Drug Withdrawal”.
THE ARTICLE
https://www.madinamerica.com/2016/12/withdrawal-from-antipsychotics/#
Horowitz, Murray, and Taylor write,
“…As there is some evidence that not all patients need lifelong antipsychotic treatment and some may have improved social functioning when taking less or no antipsychotic, cautious deprescribing should be a component of high-quality prescribing practice….”
ABRUPT TAPER VERSUS VERY SLOW TAPER
My own MH Records reflect:- 4 Hospitalizations a Suicide Attempt and “A Near Miss” in 5 Months, following the Permission to withdraw Abruptly from a Fluphenazine Depot Injection ; and 36 Years of Continual Wellness following my own decision to Taper Very Carefully.
ALSO NEEDED…
In my own case a Very Careful Neuroleptic Taper wasn’t enough, I still need to gain an understanding of how my “Neuroleptic Withdrawal High Anxiety” “Worked” and “What I could do about it”.
The Heading says it!
(I consider “mental health” to be a law into itself -)…
Steve, I notice that I have more or less disappeared from the Discussion section. Is there any reason for this?
…Rain without thunder and lightning.
https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/09/slow-taper-best-antipsychotic-discontinuation/
Everything useful presented in this Research, by the World Experts on the Subject, has already been presented on Mad in America (by the “independently recovered”) – but the professional acknowledgement (IMO) is also very worthwhile.
(I consider “Mental Health” to be a law unto itself .
When I complained at a GP Surgery some years ago about genuine misuse of information:- a “doctor” by way of comment recorded to my notes: “…mildly agitated but no sign of thought disorder..”. Which would be like me saying: “..I have full confidence that Dr xxx has not engaged in shoplifting in the past six months..” )
Hi Ted, Scary Stuff.
Singer Bob Geldoff confided that after his wife’s tragic death some years ago he seriously considered suicide as an option – but he wasn’t incarcerated for this.
UK Comedian Russell Brand supposedly has a diagnosis of “Bipolar” and Singer Elton John’s behaviour was supposedly erratic at one time – but neither of these stars were conferred with a (UK type) “Conservativeship”.
Sponging off the Welfare State
Since the Psychiatric system has little success anyway, I believe the genuine “Experts” are the people that reject the Psychiatric system.
I was diagnosed as a relapsing “Schizophrenic” in Western Ireland, until I made Recovery 30 plus years ago as a result of stopping Psychiatric treatment.
At this time 30 plus years ago: My Psychiatrist (a University Researcher) was on the examining board of the Royal College of Psychiatrists; and the Professor of Pharmacology (at the local University), was President of the British Association of Psychopharmacologists.
Psychiatry today is still useless
Another 1st Class exposure, Lawrence.
It’s even possible to develop withdrawal syndrome while consuming drugs like Xanax.
I’d imagine most normal people experience positive and negative social thoughts inside their heads, as people are social beings and life is socially competitive.
In my experience very few qualified doctors are capable of distinguishing between a social thought inside a person’s head and the hearing of Voices outside a person’s head.
Bob
In this recent paper from prominent individuals..
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343467517_Tapering_Antipsychotic_Treatment
…It is possible for people diagnosed with “Schizophrenia” to survive successfully without “medication” but it would be recommended they withdraw very carefully from neuroleptics, as these drugs can cause weaknesses in the brains systems.
As far as I know the authors don’t recommend any methods for dealing with the “Neuroleptic Exposure High Anxiety”
– this is what’s missing from the paper.
The solutions can be found in Straightforward Psychology.
Sam,
Its amazing how successful the ‘information block’ (in these times) can be. People that ‘rock the boat’ can find themselves permanently unemployable.
“Peer” has got to be mutual support from others with similar experience. The Hearing Voices Network in London is only open during normal working hours, and I believe mostly supervised by non voice hearers. Can this be “peer” support?
Steve
Your account reminds me of my “Rehabilitation” many years ago, when a nurse explained to me that the way to get into work, was to start with half days and extend to full days.
I remember visiting a friend of mind (a shrewd psychiatric survivor) at the time, who advised me to go back to my Specialist and get my restlesness sorted out.
Once the restlessness was sorted out, I didn’t need rehabilitation .
Akithisia is “Stereotypical” – All Psychiatric staff should be able to identify it; and should be prepared to approach doctors neglecting their professional duties.
The main expressed problem my Consultant Psychiatrist had with me (many years ago) was my “inability to maintain routine” – but it was him that was sponging off the Welfare State – NOT me.
Thank you Sam.
Thank you Chris,
Akathisia Killing Fields
I attended a ‘Mental Health Legal Function’ in Central London several years ago where a prominent Mental Health Lawyer/Tribunal Representative provided an informative speech to newly qualified Mental Health Lawyers.
When I brought up the subject of Non Acknowledgement of Akathisia in Involuntary Mental Health Treatment with the speaker – his Answer was automatic and ‘off the cuff’ – he said that if Akathisia were acknowledged, then Doctors would NOT be able to prescribe the ‘medications’, (he then blushed very strongly).
The average family doctor prescriber is not even aware!
MEDICAL MISHAPS
Response to GP s Delisting Letter
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYO9r1FkdJSv8Bi8Q3c3u9WXNZXkmxvO/view?usp=drivesdk
on the Anniversary of George Colley (Irish TDs) Death in 1983.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Colley
What I mean is: People with Lived Experience of Voices are the suitable Guides in the area of Voices.
Hi Sherry
Thank you for writing this, it is very helpful.
You’re ‘mental health drug withdrawal’ experience sounds as bad as a ‘dreadful illness’. I have my own personal experience of similar.
It’s possible to carefully stop taking drugs ‘suitable for Schizophrenia’; to experience Extreme Anxiety as a result; and to overcome this Extreme Anxiety (through normal Psychological Means).
Thanks Dmitriy,
People with personal experience are the experts not the Psychological or Psychiatric Systems.
“Drug Withdrawal Rebound Relapse Effect” explains the Creation of Schizophrenia.
If most people “relapse” fairly quickly when they come off “medication” – then most people don’t genuinely “relapse”.
This acknowledgement by the “experts” is better late than never.
It took me 6 years 1984 – 1990 to come down from a 25 mg monthly injection of modecate (“suitable for schizophrenia”) to 25mg of oral mellaril per day (suitable for hiccoughs). But my Drug induced disability ended in 1984.
Are the people wishing not to take ‘medication’ ‘psychotic’, or do they just have problems. If they were ‘psychotic’ surely they wouldn’t be able to communicate.
‘Psychotic’ is probably one of the worst things that can be said about a person!
Thanks Jocelyn,
I believe there’s a basic rule in terms of consuming substance; that any substance that makes a person feel better in the Short Term, will eventually make them feel worse in the Long Term.
I “relapsed” several times when I attempted to come off “Neuroleptic Medication” (abruptly) – but I didn’t relapse when I tapered carefully (and learned to cope with Neuroleptic Withdrawal “High Anxiety”):-
“….The researchers explain that “relapse” of psychotic experiences after discontinuing antipsychotics, especially very soon after stopping the drug, is likely due to withdrawal effects….”
I considered myself to be “in the clear” once I was no longer taking disabling doses of medication, because I could get on with my life.
To kill them, maybe.
I believe it’s fairly difficult for a person to pass themselves off as disabled in the UK, other than in the area of Mental Health. I wonder why this is?
Hi Karin, excellent article.
If a person can sit with suffering (even as an experiment) for a period of time, it can be amazing how the suffering can transform into something else.
Most acts of “Mental Health Suicide/Violence/Homicide” in my opinion are caused by Psychiatric Treatments, and society would be far safer without involuntary treatment. I can produce a lot of reliable evidence from my Medical Records to support this opinion.
https://www.madinamerica.com/2020/08/deep-sleep-therapy-australia/#comment-177579
“Anosgonosia” could probably be applied to anyone.
There’s been so many deaths on Fluphenazine that retrospectively could be traced to Akathisia and the Drug, that Doctors and Governments are hiding the information and getting away with it.
There’s also an unbelievable Withdrawal Syndrome attached to Fluphenazine WHICH can be overcome with help and patience i.e the “Schizophrenic” can walk again.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYO9r1FkdJSv8Bi8Q3c3u9WXNZXkmxvO/view?usp=drivesdk
BUT, People are still being criminalized for acting out on these drugs.
Why??
What are their LAWYERS doing?
https://www.thejournal.ie/deirdre-morley-trial-5162196-Jul2020/
“….In 1998, Donald Schell, who had been taking Paxil (an SSRI) for two days, shot and killed his wife, Rita, his daughter, Deborah, and his nine-month-old granddaughter, Alyssa, and then killed himself. In 2001, a Wyoming jury in Tobin vs. SmithKline Beecham found:
“…SmithKline 80% liable for Schell’s actions…holding that ‘Paxil can cause some individuals to commit homicide and/or suicide.’” (here)…”
“…Psychiatrists are defined by their ability to dispense pills ostensibly designed to treat diseases of the mind. ..”
We all know people that have recovered. Did they Recover through taking pills, or not taking Pills?
As well as not taking Pills they would have utilised some type of “saving practise” – would this have been Psychotherapy or Something Else? I think Something Else.
Most recovered people probably found their own way.
*It’s important to only come off ‘medication’ VERY carefully.
Because if you talk about it “they’ll” come and get you.
Thank You Philip,
Fluphenazine began to (discretely) go out of business in 2016. I would say that this drug was responsible for its own Holocaust. I would even say that Fluphenazine probably killed more “diagnosed people” than “the Nazis” did.
Many Thanks Wendy,
It’s good that you survived to tell your story and help other people in the same predicament.
I’m going to study your website.
Hi, interestingly enough I was attempting to look through the life expectancy rates of different UK ethnic groups (in the past few days). I was able to find information on several groups but strangely could not find any reliable information on the Life Expectancy Of UK Afro Caribeannn People.
Chinese men in the UK had the highest disability free life expectancy and Asian women in certain groups had much lower disability free rates even though their life expectancy was the same as average.
But Irish Travellers and Romany People (the traditionally discriminated against), had a VERY low life expectancy of 50 years – for men. This could point to the fact that discriminated people die a lot sooner even, than might be expected.
I hope I’m not too far “off theme” in my comment here.
The Psychiatric Antidepressant approach is a form of Insanity.
I find topical psychiatric SEXUAL discussion a bit amusing as for the time I consumed any level of “therepeutic psychiatric chemotherapy” I was incapable of any type of sexual performance. At this time Sexual fulfillment was also probably the least of my problems.
Good Advice tapernurse and kindredspirit.
“…“While tapering can be uneventful, no doctor can guarantee a safe and successful withdrawal at this time.” Which is good reason the doctors should stop prescribing the SSRIs and SNRIs in the first place…”
Exactly! There’s no point on going on drugs that cause more serious “problems”, than a person has.
The average UK doctor (as far as I know) is not even realistically informed on what AKATHISIA is – and if they were realistically informed, (IMO) they would not prescribe ‘antidepressants’.
Anti depressants can cause suicide and Homicide and this is medically accepted, but when someone on antidrepessants goes mad and kills another person, the “authorities” tend not to know what to do.
Maybe there’s just (unresolved) “anxiety”.
Of Blessed Memory of Julie Greene:- All the Scientific Evidence points to the ‘Medical Approach’ making matters worse; and those that Genuinely Recover, recovering through abandoning the ‘Medical Approach’.
Thank You Robert for the brilliant Article,
In my opinion the Medical Model has proven that it has NO Solutions – only Disability and Early Death.
The Social Determinant Model has proven that it HAS Solutions and can even offer Self Actualization:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Hall
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_May
https://www.ted.com/talks/eleanor_longden_the_voices_in_my_head?language=en
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/a-first-class-recovery-from-hopeless-case-to-graduate-1808991.html
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Brand
The Medical Model through Exposure to Psychiatric Drugs can even Cause “Schizophrenia” (similar to Valium causing “Anxiety”):-
From My Own Case:-
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYO9r1FkdJSv8Bi8Q3c3u9WXNZXkmxvO/view?usp=drivesdk
As a result of ‘epidemic’ Misdiagnosis IMO:-
Schizophrenia ‘epidemic’ among African Caribbeans spurs prevention policy change
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/dec/09/african-caribbean-schizophrenia-policy
Thanks Philip
There’s such a thing as pushy parents pressurizing their children to become professionals when the children are not suitable. But I’ve never heard of this as a source if madness.
Sometimes parents pressurize children that are equipped but that don’t see a professional career as something they would like to be involved in. But these people usually escape successfully.
But lots of so called ‘professionals’ are completely incompetent and still manage to earn a reasonable living.
The Helping Hand
The people that do have genuine recovery are by far the best people to help other people recover – and it usually makes them feel good too.
Dr Philip,
I don’t know if unrealistic career expectations apply to me or not:-
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZEucHIewc9WlFJuCqUU2gB55sQHZA1P/view?usp=drivesdk
The image above presents some of my craftsmanship. Initially the image might appear to represent a special finish (but the blue spots actually represent ‘snags’ that need to be put right).
About time!
I’ve heard it said that there’s an ‘alcoholic’ in every family, if this is true then it would discount a genetic component to ‘serious mental health diagnoses’.
Hi,
In terms of Economics how much does a dependent, non recovered ‘Schizophrenic’ or ‘Bi Polar’ cost the USA per year?
Akathisia is related to the
1. Starting
2. Stopping or
3. Changing of a drug, (it’s ‘traceable’).
So, if Akathisia were genuinely acknowledged, the information could lead to “historical investigations”.
But akathisia is not being genuinely acknowledged, so people are still dying from drug induced suicide, and people are
being blamed (and locked up) for drug induced behaviour that is ‘completely beyond their control’*
*(I’ve attempted suicide twice in a state of Neuroleptic Induced Acute Akathisia in my early 20s, 1980 to 1984.).
The Offending (Akathisia) Drug ‘Fluphenazine’ was still in use after 1983, but it began to be removed from the Worldwide market around 2016 on account of its “unreliable sources of production”.
Dr E Fuller Torrey (might) explain why:-
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/better-without-antipsychotic-drugs
“…For example, a study published in 1982 reported that when a group of patients with schizophrenia were each given 20 mg of fluphenazine, the difference between the highest and lowest blood level of the drug was 40-fold. Thus, a very low dose of an antipsychotic is sufficient to control the symptoms of many patients with schizophrenia, even if it does not produce full recovery, whereas other patients may require much higher doses to achieve the same effect…”
I’d say, most prescribers don’t understand the dosage blood volume difference, and this might be why so many people ‘GO MAD’ (Akathisia) on ‘antidepressants’ :-
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/10827889/dublin-deaths-second-note-found-murder/
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/miriam-lord-there-s-nothing-left-but-terrible-questions-1.2778886
Well put, Steven.
My picture of CBT is that it’s the same as traditional psychotherapy but in straight forward terms.
When I “catastrophise”, and recognise that I’m “catastophising” I can definitely do something about it. But I don’t see CBT as an instant ‘cure’.
The “Catastrophisation” I suffered from, had followed my withdrawal from a Long Acting Modecate Depot Injection (“suitable” for “Schizophrenia”).
“..Let’s put this matter in context. For the last four decades or so, research psychiatrists have labored strenuously in their respective areas to uncover the biological pathologies that would validate their various diagnoses, i.e. would prove that they are real illnesses…”
The problem as I see it, is that Psychiatry has NO Solutions. Psychiatric Treatments deteriorate and disable people – and this is why ‘Severe Mental Illness’ is classified as a long term condition.
The Solutions exist only outside of Medical Psychiatry.
Thank you Dr Philip,
I hope I’m not too far off topic here.
I estimate that least 50% of all people become “Schizophrenic” in the same way as I did i.e. through the consumption of strong psychiatric drugs (and the people that recover, usually recover as a result of carefully ‘not taking their medication’).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2418996/
“…In the most robust UK study to date, the incidence of schizophrenia was found to be ninefold higher in black Caribbeans than in the white British population…”
The above UK study is Bulls**t.
I believe Kanye Wests first Psychiatric Drug prior to the advent of ‘his’ ‘BiPolar’ ‘Mania’ was the Antidepressant Lexapro.
Hi Rose,
Your story sounds like a good warning to anyone thinking about seeing a Psychiatrist with an ‘anxiety problem’. The warning maybe being that ‘the Psychiatrist might not have a clue’.
As soon as I saw Zoloft I was wondering where Zantax was. But you found the right path in the end.
I recovered, in my 20s, through a micro withdrawal process. The Consultant Psychiatrist had offered me the option of Abrupt Withdrawal from a Depot Injection but this proved ‘unsuitable’ (even though depot is supposed to leave the body very slowly).
I’ve noticed that the generally offered abrupt withdrawal (option) from Depot Medication usually ends up badly, but I think this is because the person hasn’t been given a decent chance. So I think that what Psychiatrists describe as ‘Genuine Schizophrenia’ is more a bit of a ‘Lottery’.
Thank You Dr Florence,
“…Without a self-articulated framework, those deemed “mad” will remain subject to the symbolic and material violence of experts…” – Violence / Torture.
If every “Severely And Enduringly Mentally Ill” person can completely recover through non drug (/non physical) means as I was assured by a Clinical Psychologist in Ireland in1983, and as the British Psychological Society (to a large extent) supports – then I wonder why so many Qualified Psychologists appear to behave as if they accept differently?
theloniusmonk,
LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY OR AKATHISIA
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/damages-for-man-whose-wife-drove-off-galway-pier-1.1131888
“…Mr Nugent said Mrs Palmer was admitted to a psychiatric unit at the hospital under the care of Prof Fahy. She was kept there for a week. To the consternation of her husband, her own family and her friends who contacted the hospital, she was released. ..”
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/last-minutes-of-a-woman-tormented-1.1131911
“…”This is hell”, nine times over. “A disgusting waste of two beautiful girls – two human beings” on the reverse. These were among the last words written by Mrs Catherine Palmer, jotted on a note found in her trouser pocket by Garda Michael Harte after her death…”
POLICY OF SUPPRESSION OF AKATHISIA
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18EilU4iOzu3MlTHsq6HtgBFKWk2jAyt5/view?usp=drivesdk
I notice the people that do genuinely recover tend to recover independently, of the Very Expensive UK Mental Health System. In other areas of Medical Achievement the NHS is considered to be maybe the best in the world.
Thank you Sarah, your writing is very easy to read and register. It seems that the result, of whats on offer from Psychiatry by way of help, is equivalent to some type of industrial disaster.
I notice the UK seems to be making consistent Human Rights Progress (Directly Questioning Fixed Beliefs with Scientific Evidence):-
https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgrehpp/21/2/64
BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY
https://www.bps.org.uk/what-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia
“…Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
M I N D
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/antipsychotics/alternatives-to-antipsychotics/
“…What if I don’t want to take medication?
Many psychiatrists believe that severe mental health problems like schizophrenia must be treated with medication, but if you don’t want to take antipsychotics, there are alternative treatments you can try. You may find it’s possible to manage your symptoms, or to make a full recovery, without medication. This page covers:
Talking treatments
Arts therapies
Ecotherapy
Complementary and alternative therapies
Peer support groups
Healthy lifestyle changes…”
RUFUS MAY: Living Mindfully With Voices
https://youtu.be/hNp-7DT2u8E
OPEN DIALOGUE UK
https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/dialoguefirst-whatisopendialogue/
“…For example, 72 per cent of those with first episode psychosis treated via an Open Dialogue approach returned to work or study within two years, despite significantly lower rates of medication and hospitalisation compared to treatment as usual…”
theloniusmonk,
I came off my Modecate Depot Injection (with permission), because of its disabling side effects in late 1983, and ended up in hospital fairly quickly afterwards. I was put back on an increased dosage of Modecate while in hospital – and I experienced an Akathisia induced suicide attempt in early 1984.
I then tried to come off the Modecate Injection again, but I couldn’t, so I asked my doctors for a medication with less side effects. Another medication Depixol Depot Injection was recommended – but after taking the Depixol injection I became suicidal (with Akathisia) and I had to fight my way back into hospital (where I stayed for less than 2 days).
I then asked doctors to prescribe me an Oral “medication” which they did, but I found I also suffered from “Drug Withdrawal High Anxiety”. This “High Anxiety” could have driven me MAD, had I not learnt how to deal with it.
I was able to function with the Oral medication and as my ability to deal with my “High Anxiety” improved, I was able to cut the Oral Medication down very gradually, to eventually nothing.
Doctor David Healy was around during my “Drug Withdrawal” at Galway Ireland Regional Hospital 1983/1984, and I visited him with my notes, in Wales in 2018. Dr Healy provided me with a letter stating that he was confident that I had never suffered from Severe Mental Illness to begin with, and that it was likely that the treatment had been the problem.
But, if I hadn’t learnt how to overcome my ” Drug Induced High Anxiety” through Psychological Means, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been in a position to challenge any “Diagnosis” – I would more than likely have been DEAD.
https://www.bps.org.uk/what-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia
“…Understanding Psychosis and Schizophrenia. The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
Thank you Sam.
EMOTION AND THE DIGITAL AGE
Thanks Professor Ian Tucker and Dr Tim Beck for the great Article.
I was reading about Jack Dorsey CEO of ‘Twitter’ and ‘Square’ and how he lives.
He walks five miles to work several days a week.
He only eats one meal per day during the week (usually chicken and vegetables or salad), and doesn’t eat at all on Saturday.
He does 2 hours Vipassana Meditation every day, and for his holiday he went to a 10 day, all day meditation retreat.
He’s one of the richest people in America but his main enjoyments could probably be practised by anyone.
(He has a very nice house also, I believe, and he might date supermodels).
In a tribal society a creative person can have value especially when the tribe is under pressure, but in an industrial society people that don’t conform are an “excess to requirements”. “Schizophrenia” was invented around the same time as the industrial revolution.
There were lots of other things around prior to the industrial revolution, but no “schizophrenia”. Once the medications arrived – the job was done. The “schizophrenics” could be “switched off”.
Neuroleptics AKA “Antipsychotics” (according to my verifiable experience) CAUSE the Symptoms associated with “those at Risk of Psychosis”, they do not alleviate them.
I felt okay not taking “antipsychotics” to begin with. But when I attempted to come off them some years later (abruptly, with permission), I had 4 hospitalizations in 5 months a suicide attempt and an almost suicide.
It took me 6 years to carefully withdraw from a dosage suitable for “schizophrenia”. But I wouldn’t have made it, if I had not come to the realization that I was suffering from the “High Anxiety” of “antipsychotic drug withdrawal”.
I had never previously experienced anything like this Anxiety. My exposure to these drugs could have driven me MAD.
To cope with the High Anxiety of Neuroleptic drug Withdrawal, I had to learn to sit with “acutely uncomfortable feelings”, and to “stay out of my head” at the same time. When I “balanced off” my thinking would return to a “hypothetical level”, which was always safe for me.
I Recovered as a result of stopping Neuroleptic / Psychotogenic Drugs.
Thanks Megan,
Brilliant article, and well worth reading.
I can identify with the predicament.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40495539
“….Statistics suggest a black man in the UK is 17 times more likely than a white man to be diagnosed with a serious mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar…”
John Weir Perry, Stan Groff, David Lukoff, Richard Bentall, Sinead Gallagher.
https://www.bps.org.uk/what-psychology/understanding-psychosis-and-schizophrenia
“….The problems we think of as ‘psychosis’ – hearing voices, believing things that others find strange, or appearing out of touch with reality – can be understood in the same way as other psychological problems such as anxiety or shyness…”
Someone Else,
“….How an industry can claim to “know everything about the meds,” yet…”
You’ve hit the nail on the head!
The situation is Ridiculous!
Thanks Sam.
Some people claim that “Antidepressants are prescribed like sweets”. But taking these Drugs can have long term affects:-
APPLYING TO JOIN THE ESSEX POLICE
QUESTION
I am taking antidepressants for depression. My depression is really well controlled. Would this affect my application?
ANSWER
Each decision is made after a careful consideration of the facts. The severity of the condition is reflected by the type of antidepressant, its strength and the duration of treatment in addition to many other factors.
We would also consider the 2004 Home Office guidance which generally advises against accepting recruits whilst they are still being treated with antidepressants and for a period after stopping them. We recognise that this is guidance but guidance holds a particular status in law.
The main goal of the assessment is to determine your mental resilience and the probability of further episodes of impaired mental health. Police work is like no other and good mental resilience and emotional stability are paramount.
“…This was so clear that the US FDA demanded that a black box warning be put onto the label…”
These drugs can also cause Homicide:- The Characteristics of Akathisia induced Behaviour are:-
1. The Behaviour follows the stopping starting or changing of a “Psychiatric Medication”
2. The Behaviour is Extreme
3.The Behaviour is out of Character
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/dublin-child-deaths-andrew-mcginley-deirdre-morley-found-dead-a9307746.html
https://www.thejournal.ie/alan-hawe-exhumed-3381862-May2017
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mayo-father-suspected-of-killing-wife-attacking-son-then-taking-own-life-35191796.html
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/son-has-no-memory-of-murder-suicide-that-killed-parents-36338933.html
What Neuroleptic drugs do is create conditions of “Indifference”. So a person is not worried about what’s on their minds, or anything else.
Buddhist Psychology/Philosophy encourages a state of “Equanamity” where a person is aware of their circumstances but accepting of them. From this position problems are not too difficult to deal with.
Dr Robin Murray towards the end of his career also acknowledged the existence of “Neuroleptic Withdrawal Syndrome”. This condition is IMO, what holds people in “Long Term Severe Mental Illness”.
The Black Psychiatrists and MH Workers In my Opinion are likely to do as much damage as the White Psychiatrists and MH Workers.
https://youtu.be/bKxhclFU0Lc
There’s nothing also to say that a Qualified Doctor, is any better than a Library Assistant at helping a person get through Emotional Distress.
BBC News – UK imposes sanctions against human rights abusers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53303100
We already know that Neuroleptics like Olanzapine shrink the Brain:
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/antipsychotics-and-shrinking-brain
We know that Neuroleptics cause Suicide and Homicide:
https://insights.ovid.com/clinical-psychopharmacology/jcps/1983/08/000/suicide-associated-akathisia-depot-fluphenazine/6/00004714
https://rxisk.org/akathisia/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia
We know we have Non Drug solutions:
https://www.bacp.co.uk/bacp-journals/therapy-today/2019/february-2019/who-needs-a-diagnosis/
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01675/full
https://theawarenesscentre.com/introduction-to-psychosis/
https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?q=open+dialogue+schizophrenia&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart#d=gs_qabs&u=%23p%3DtoeFJCtwkDoJ
Thanks Sinéad,
Your experience must have been full of great suffering but as a Psychologist you’ve gone through the eye of the needle and come out the other side. How many so called experts can claim this?
I’m a bit of a fan of Eckhart Tolles myself. Though, I’m still trying to see exactly what he’s got.
I hope to come across more of you on Mad in America!
The UK seems to be one of the countries that’s consistently making advances in “Mental Health”.
I doubt my heart would be functioning on 1000mg per day!
Jill, I was prescribed 25mg of Seroquel per day and I was taking about 6 mg of Seroquel per day (I used to bite it in 4). When I stopped the Seroquel I still had years of unsuccessful sleeping.
6mg Seroquel taken 10 minutes before I went to bed, used to knock me out.
Well done Angela. And thank you for telling us about it.
Klonopin sounds like a good drug to start off with – to drive a person MAD.
https://newrepublic.com/article/156829/happened-jordan-peterson
I was given permission to come off my meds abruptly, and I didn’t last long. But it worked when I slowly tapered over many years. I also found workable answers for my ‘High Anxiety’ within Psychology and Self Help.
And thank you also James!
Psychiatric Care Fails to Address High Suicide Rates of Native Alaskans. Psychiatric care as I understand it might make matters worse.
Thank You Jill, it really is Snakes And Ladders.