Comments by madmother13

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• if the show came to Australia I would hope someone volunteered me so I could get a new patio and bathroom and the hair do from the marvellous Jonathon… I really wouldn’t care if they chased me down the street…

• what is the actual death rate for them is there a figure by country somewhere ? Could someone please post it thanks

• unfortunately hs no you are incorrect an episode of psychosis will frequently lead to the inevitable label of schizophrenia .. It is rare it will be categorised as a single stand alone abberant episode then the drugs will damage your brain and that is the end if that sad but true

• absolutely pure and true

• love the planxty avatar .. What sound what lyrics..go the black album Christie moore I saw just after his release from jail and his performances in the back street pubs of Birmingham in DIgbeth. Pure and raw forever free

• agree boans beautiful west Australian day today all that smoke from the burn off and then the smell of the rotting sea weed off the beach privileged indeed.. How lucky are we..today someone threatened me a broken bottle at the train station
  But none of it impacts me at all I just laughed..come live at my house then you would get it…

• agree boans beautiful west Australian day today all that smoke from the burn off and then the smell of the rotting sea weed off the beach privileged indeed.. How lucky are we..today someone threatened me with a broken bottle at the train station
  But none of it impacts me at all I just laughed..come live at my house then you would get it…

• And yet I am absolutely and sadly sure that No ONE reads it!
  The Bitterest Pill by the same Johanna the sad accurate story about antipsychotics and their short and long term effects no one cares and poor sad people like me have to live with and manage the life long effects and sequale to a casual prescription by a cruel MORON.. In someone they love not me because I would stick pins in my eyes first before I took any off this crap or whatever word suits the referee for the site

• The Shayla love article is journalism of the worst type no wonder RW is annoyed. read it fully to learn Nev Jones’s views on MIA and it’s contributors and the dangers their views pose in her opinion as a psychologist. And yet the future apparently is “safe in her hands”…alternate reality ???!

• I won’t old head.. My e mail [email protected] and no moderation there lol just basic brutal black and white truth
  there are some people no one should have a conversation with and you are not one of them. La lucha continua keep the faith which I will till my very last breath. the day I am moderate I will make my own arrangements as I will be pointless

• hi oldhead
  I love your stuff here I’m not your not liker
  I am angry a lot of the time just had major surgery which I found out yesterday was not cancer. I was thinking I had finally been killed by psychiatry and the 24/7 stress caring for my son profoundly disabled by the direct actions of psychiatry and it’s well paid hangers on such as the above. The piece above incensed me because it was so patronising and I had no energy to keep rewriting politely.
  So no I am not a disliker of you or your comments I love your pithy directness in an age of fake doublespeak

• sad sad day and sad sad piece Mia has really lost its edge.. All the deaths really leaving gaping holes now in the fabric

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• replying to streetphobia (the reply box is not working) loved your comment above and completely agree. Someone recently told me I should try to understand the point of view of the psychiatrist who destroyed my son and my entire family. That person was my son who is still left with more compassion than I will ever find and can find no anger for what happened to him.

• Exactly madmom we are doing it tough day in day out personally I am at the end of my tether.. Officially broken

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• oldhead do not waste your time reading his ponderous irritating stuff.. Not worth reading anything written by any psychiatrist I would rather read a shopping list I found in a supermarket trolley..

• wow the song house looks amazing !

• thank you Sinead for this great piece glad to hear you are doing well. One of my vision board dreams is to once again visit Ireland and walk in fields of gold.. Seems a long way away but i will keep holding onto that !much love

• Agree with you all thank you. a friend of forty years plus who was distressed (or whatever we want to call it ) asked me for advice our friend with early onset Alzheimer’s who she is guardian and next of kin for as his large family abandoned him due to their shame about his gayness he is in a nursing home and she has been banned from visiting now for almost 5 months. The care (using the word very loosely) home suggested she seek psych care for herself as she was so “upset” by this inability to see her friend she pre covid visited 5 times a week. Unbelievable… Stuff this is the most intelligent,energetic and resilient focused person you could ever have the privilege to meet! My advice nothing wrong with you .. Write to your political reps and get angry do not buy into this Bs. Lots of people will tho trot off to see a clin psych believing something is “wrong with them..truly a tragedy thank you paula

• then you can’t post again it says you already posted ur becoming redundant because of your ancient tech

  tech

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• agree with you completely, so glad u got off them

• The time lag zone difference is really annoying…

• it’s a shame there is no mad in Australia site wow we would have some stories to share.. The Horror busting of the myth of a country young and free..

• good luck Jill hang inthere

• here in Australia 60mgs of olanzapine daily is still standard protocol because you are “treatment resistant ” and they can do what they want thank you for sharing Ms Talbot

• here in Australia 60mgs of olanzapine daily is still standard protocol because you are “treatment resistant ” and they can do what they want

• 3 comments woeful people what is that about ?
  Eric as ever thank you for sharing with us we are truly blessed much love sent your way

• 4lights where do you live? Mm

• boans
  hang in there think of you every day

• Australia was re closed down today re covid .. So sad

• what are peoples views on dog breeds ?
  My preferred pack currently is 1.Belgian shepherd
  2. Greyhound
  3.Rottweiler
  Irish wolfhound

  Thank you Andvyes i too love owls

• yes agree I live in the same place and it is horribly cold..,

• exactly live it every day then see how you feel..abandoned and alone ..completely isolated

• all u can do is pity the “new client , patient or whatever u want to call them or they want to call themself too sad too bad

• many times honey….

• Agree completely kindred and I love your pseudonym too.. Thank you for your constructive and heartfelt comments here I always look for your presence

• thank you so much for your thoughtful compassionate and loving piece about your experience I am sorry to read about the death of your boy many kind thoughts from another mother

• go on then ask me why …..

• Sadly for me and mine the only drop of care and compassion (all in quote marks ) we have ever experienced over the last 7 years of horror has come from the Police.. So I personally will not have a word said against them either individually or collectively..

• Exactly old head instead we get strident managerial judgement when we are already being judged because we refuse to let human beings we love be 4point restrained on trollies.. Yes we are othered here Sam ruck because WE Have not been diagnosed by some moron.. The oh sorry everyone there is no where else for you to go but NAMi or whatever your national equivalent is a falacious and pathetic response the site is tearing itself apart.. In the moment no judgement .. Sam plover go do not be afraid to post however you want ..all voices should be equal not just the ones who “know people ” mod away .. On your scooters GO

• As we say here in austral…ia..” good on ya ” Miranda s..

• Completely agree with you.. Main reason I would never write here

• Sorry to go off topic BUT does anyone know if boans is ok as have seen nothing posted by him recently
  as we live in the same fascist town was hoping someone might know

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• Jim thank you yes I have seen that look too many times .. Living with it daily hopelessness describes it so well

• Great quote thank you
  Absolutely true that awareness is completely lacking during a “first episode” encounter with the system literally ur like babes in the wood except less aware than a new born..sad but horribly true retrospective view back just horrifies that u were so dumb

• Sad but true Boans its called standard operating procedure they know no other way drugs, drugs and more drugs let people assault you .. Give u drugs thru a dirty needle then say you are an iv drug user..

• Yes they all have those lists part of any information they will hand out government and non government a list for every “diagnosis”..if you query it in any way as bs there is “something wrong with you”

• Well said Steve!

• Lovely response

• No one cares what he has to say about ANYtHing poor sad and destroyed human being .. A TRAGEDY

• Agree with you rosalee

• I have used the nomeclature mad in relation to my anger as in I am mad as hell not not any other reason..

• I have used the nomeclature mad in relation to my anger as in I am mad as hell not not any other reason..

• Thank you Boans

• Thank you so much for your help

• Rosalee thank you much appreciated

• Thank you much appreciated

• Thanks for sharing David your amazing and inspirational story of your survival all best wishes to you

• She seems like a lovely woman who has worked hard for her entire life on adressing various power anomalies
  And is devastated to see the state of the POTUS

• It is beyond reforming not sure why anyone thinks it can be reformed
  Avoiding it and going off the grid is all you can do at this point
  Life your own life as far away as you can if you can

• I think he will. I remember my husband totally incredulous when I said he will be the president.. He is very rational and truthful (my husband not Donald ) and genuinely he did not believe it would happen. Very sad it will happen again like Brexit and boris

• Agree seeing the records can break you I obtained them and could not bring myself to open them for a very long time
  When I did wish I had not bothered as it broke me all over again
  Why it broke me I do not know.. I am a very resilient woman and some typing on a page written by liars destroyed me … Does anyone know why ?? Advice please

• Hear hear kindred

• Agree with you completely john take care kind regards

• Great piece this week on mad in the UK site re labelling someone as antipsychiatry and how that label negates and denigrates and is then endlessly repeated in clinical notes and systems. The use of language to render someone powerless

• Thank you for Mia town hall 2 Louisa and Kermit much appreciated and enjoyed . I so wish I could access open dialogue on the west coast of Australia. We are isolated and parochial and all u can get is medication and psych imprisonment very,very sad but I enjoyed the time anyway much love from the antipodes

• JBP what a Horror story .. So sad there are those who choose not to learn some kind of naraku 7circles hell story really stuck forever in an endless cycle of crap I truly pity him and his entire family tragedy of the highest order

• So sad and sorry to read your story an absolute echo of my own as a parent I wept to hear of the loss of your beautiful boy and the breaking of your family much love sympathy and grief from Australia bravely written could not write our own story in the way you have done and for that I admire you

• Well done Erin so pleased to read your story ur an inspiration thank you xxxxxx

• Horrific to read glad you are getting better. I was prescribed GABA for a trapped nerve in my neck thankfully a fantastic physiotherapist fixed me up and I stopped taking it before things got too bad
  Carry on healing positive thoughts to you

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• Dear James
  Sorry to read this ,my advice:
  1) Tinnitus is horrible magnesium supplement seems to help but high dose oil thru foot bath daily and acupuncture if u can find a good practitioner
  2) don’t waste time and money with lawyers they are all a short Anglo Saxon word that begins with c
  3)if you are on any other medication at all check for ototoxicity in the side effects list
  4) funny how the TMS promoters appeared by magic on this site having never posted before and will probably never post again obviously site and you both tagged and tracked by the industry
  5) Boans i’m in Perth if you want to meet up for a socially distanced exchange of Horror stories let me know I ‘ll send you my e mail
  James hoping things will improve and you have plenty of support

• Absolutely correct boans perth is a small insular incestuous village. There is no help or support . The watchdogs are a joke then ur left to deal with it on your own. All lawyers are a joke. Expensive liars.. Documents disappear are rewritten the lies are amazing. The NGO’s mifwa, arafmi, richmond peer support even worse.. So far inserted into the systems backside. All parents are emotionally immature and many of them are psychiatrists, gp’s and clin psyche go figure so again unsure what the point of the piece is and what is in it for the lawyer must be something

• Not going to happen they will “emerge”the samevselfish greedy and self obsessed. No learning will occur. Our children will pay for this catastrophe for generations to come.

• Exactly sam

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• I have not turned to anyone to rescue me during ten years of hell and will not be starting now

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• Thank you Sam I cried almost all the way thru

• Thank you Louisa so much for your idea to do this so hope it goes forward

• Just watched the pod cast first time in ten years I have felt connected to a community of people who care. Key question for me “can home healing be enough.. It can’t if everyone in that home is also broken.. Which we are thank you so much to all of the panel so much appreciated much love to all

• There is nothing wrong with Chomsky unlike many others he has kept the faith. I first read chomsky as a smallchild in a cold northern library in a bleak and desolate place . Kermit cole thank you for reminding us all of our hopeless desolation.
  Mad mom agree with you and your hopes completely . Keep the faith

• Exactly some of us live in social isolation hard not to say welcome t o my world everyone… I do not go out go on holiday,go to dinner, travel how sad….and I have done that for the right reasons… And do I miss any of that superficial rubbish . No I don’t …

• What a pile of crap… Nurses across the world have been treated like crap for decades.. UK for example no pay rise for 15years. And societies and communities thought that was fine. Now suddenly nurses need to be respected And cared for .what a joke

• I know that I didn’t repeat anything

• They do not exist a mythos urban myth there are no survivors here , a heroic attempt piece of fabrication,false news. Just people struggling,coping, learning attrition, survivors is a term of glorification.

• Funny then that so many people are dying..

• Probably due to profound social isolation and being ostracised from society for daring not to be ‘normal’ (using the term very loosely)lol

• Very sad to hear that when my son came out same length of time and had his d level tested it was so low it was undetectable in his blood. Psychiatrist probably wrote some Bs about you asking him in the record. Some label ‘mum is neurotic hypochondriac ‘ or similar. It took 8months high dose oral therapy to get his reading back up, that doesn’t help u tho all I can do is add u to my loving kindness meditation tonight. Sorry and love from Australiaxxxxxx

• Your blog is fantastic brilliant music and photo’s and you writing is great ! Thank you cheered my afternoon I will be back !

• thank you Anthony
  Sorry to hear your story. That is Australia all right. The lies and twistingof truth in these documents. Short hand and sub text. When I was still trying to work it all out (just a phase trying to understand it now I don’t bother) I did some analysis on various inpatient summaries and discharge docs just like this. Phrases repeated over and over labelling and value judgements. Such as “well known to services”..guarded (why would u not be guarded with these people when ur locked up and have 4security guards on you ????) it’s lovely of everyone advising you to move in reality no one will give u papers to move there once they see your label so u are trapped. I wish u the best of luck and all good thoughts

• The federal members do not give a shit even less than the state ones if that is humanly possible
  Yes I know all the ways to get documents and all the angles at the end of the day none of it is useful in the long run

• This would be a funny story if it wasn’t so terrible. We complained aggressively about the torture and negligent hospital care of our son and after FOI of the records found this had been documented as “folie de trois” ie madness of 3 .the next time we both visited our GP for routine stuff he tried to refer us to a psychiatrist.. Sad but true ..no matter how hard it is we have vowed never to trust or engage with a single person involved in this rotten corrupt system including the GP who we now just treat as a script writer . The minister in the same state as boans explained that other people’s sons had been four pointed on a trolley for longer than mine at 97hours and thus we should consider ourselves “lucky “..who is the madperson here???brilliant piece Tina thank you

• Thank you Ron . Rufus May is one of the most helpful and caring people I have ever met in my life he gave me hope when I had none and I will never forget that in my horrible ,sad and lonely journey as a carer. Just a tiny rare ray of light tho.They call it a journey to fool u into thinking its like a trip or a holiday.. aS my friend ann always says” you wouldn’t fecking pay to go on this journey ” But there are not enough people like Ron and Rufus to go around and it is virtually impossible to cope and make any progress on your own when you live in a place where there are NO alternative treatments or supports. As much as everyone might want to deny it you get to a situation where you can see no way out other than back to the demonic and horrific system because you are worn down and all exhausted and have run out of options.

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• Rufus may is a great believer in chair therapy for voice hearers
  We have tried it and it is powerful in the right loving and compassionate hands not so much in the hands of a control freak or anyone who is part of the system and wants to lock you up which the writer carefully does not mention at all…..

• Some of the most atrocious people I have met in my life have been part of the so called not for profit here in Perth Australia peer self help sector oh my god they worship the psychiatrists.. Will do anything for them… U can imagine what they will do
  ‘ just let them get on with their work’ they know what is best even when its 60mgs of olanzapine …
  Parochial unprofessional pathetic so keen to access the funding they will do anything all…in the beginning you have no idea how dangerous they are.. I think I will sue them that will be interesting..they are culpable…

• I just took my son with a “psych diagnosis ” to our GP with what looks to me as a 30year experienced health care professional as a skin cancer on his foot and was summarily dismissed.. Good try everyone ..someone explain that to me other than no one other than me gives a rats arse.. When I call myself mad that is a euphemism for mad as hell, angry , really really pissed of that this boy’s life counts for nothing . Not one of you morons here will reply because Matt was the only one that ever did shame on you all

• Thank you angelic one for your love and kindness unlike most here you have no agenda other than pure love.. That is very precious.. Oh for more like you .thank you

• His books and views are absolute bilge hopefully his detox will fix him right up

• So true mark .. Name rank and number only

• Excellent piece great advice for everyone . Thank you Eric

• Probably because you are much happier being off that disgraceful poisonous piece of garbage just stabilise and stay well good luck to you

• Meditation can save us all if only we can be bothered to do it .. That is the difficulty sitting with pain fear and grief looking them in the face and somehow getting up tomorrow. That is the key.. I wish I had time to mediate half a day every day… One day perhaps❤

• A disgrace from the NyT you Americans need to complain en masse
  God rest you Bonnie

• Well done you Jim fight to the end respect to you❤

• She is herself and does not need to “turn ” into anything so derogatory

• You are correct Steve there is no hope no choice they are all the same pointless voting for any of them the entire system is broken best plan if no one at all voted what would happen then ..?? I would love to see that day

• I live in the same place as you boans and I completely absolutely support the WA voluntary assisted dying legislation enacted by our government by which we will ensure as per Terry Pratchett’s wish that everyone is entitled to free choice as in their right to “their life, their death their choice ” nothing whatsoever to do with the government killing you getting really bored with hearing it . Try watching someone you love suffer for weeks With terminal illness bleeding tears of blood . “If I was a dog or cat you would put me to sleep and out of pain” I will never forget those words so have some respect.

• Psychiatrist don’t believe it even exists you report it because you are anti psychiatry,read too much and wont let them get on with their jobs and they give more drugs and start benzos to mitigate the effects. My experience exactly what was said to me it was the illness causing the 36hours constant walking … I don’t like the poster as it labels by putting violence first in the list not sure who it is aimed at it should just advise you not to take the drugs and don’t go to these ‘doctors’ simple …

• Thank you Eric for this and your unwavering clarity

• Beautiful picture and love the bird so gorgeous thank you and have a wonderful 2020 what a tidy and significant label for the year 2020 best wishes from a burning Australia
  Reminds me of the Frost poem will the world end in fire or ice ” I hold with those who favour fire” love to everyone xxxx

• The answer to nialls question posed in the title is NO and that is all any of us need to know. His submission to the “inquiry”will be ignored at best at worst will lead to further vilification and impuning of his reputation but at least he gets in there and gives it a go and for that we are grateful.

• God forgive you all

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• Agree with your stance completely

• great piece Itay thank you. You are lucky there are such places I hope they continue to develop and increase in number in your country

• Thanks Eric as ever a fantastic piece of honesty and truth
  Appreciated!

• Great article Will balanced and much truth thank you !

• Thank you Kelly for this great articles and links appreciated

• What a horrible comment blame the victim.. Unbelievably nasty

• Dr malis what a piece of work.. This poor woman a true horror story of psychiatric abuse and abuse of power so sad

• Dear Eric
  Sorry to hear your experience with lithium but glad you got in and out of hospital relatively ok
  I think of all the contributers to this site I look forward and enjoy your pieces the most as they are completely honest and pure no agenda no ranting just your life as it is and we are lucky to have your willingness to share. you always impact my perspective-thankyou

• There is no winning for anyone here. Your writing hit home a terrible reminder of the situation many of us are in I wrote a poem recently that appeared from nowhere. Until you have watched helpless as the boy you gave birth lies shackled on a trolley for 97hours you have never lived.until you have waited for hours for the end of the world the voice said was due at 5pm you have never lived.until you have watched the armed police take away the boy u gave birth to u have never lived..until u have sat in support group with all the other mad mothers trying to explain this crap u have never lived..it goes on for hours.. Won’t bore u all.. But to all u mad mothers out there love you and bless you all.. There is no help or support.. One million candles burning for the hope that never came We are alone with a dream of a normal life a life that cannot be just endless mourning..

• Actually that is insulting to animals who would have more care for an injured pack member than any psych nurse i have ever met.. evil personified

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• He is a psychiatrist that comment on ect is not satire it is what he believes

• Sad piece very depressing if you aren’t Maori then restraint, seclusion,medication and CTO is what you will get ..

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• This is great advice and applicable in a host of contexts not just for children and parents. when you are desperate and seeking support advice like this is like finding a treasure trove!thank you chaya

• They start out to make money the rest of the bestial behaviour follows as they ‘mature’ like rotten meat..a forum like this ie a grand round achieves nothing other than self congratulatory reinforcement of inhumane practices

• Thank you for responding robert appreciated

• My question to Robert .. normally the end of a grand round there is question time did you or anyone else query or question or did you all just sit there like planks nodding ?? that is the place this is won or lost most grand rounds also serve a great lunch hopefully everyone had a good feed off the misery of others less fortunate than them.

• Scary article essentially write what you like it will be ignored… as the doctors and vice presidents know best at all times.. they know the best drugs and best restraint and seclusion. fake news is 100% correct.. another nami piece of marketing pad short for patients are dumb….

• Dear George
  martha’s writing was truly beautiful thank you for sharing her work and all good wishes for your journey and in reducing your own drugs x. zoloft and respiridone almost killed my child i am lucky he has escaped the system but the damage done to him is slow to heal

• Thank you david inspiring read tapering properly is a full time commitment, good luck moving forward. i am looking forward to buying your book!!

• I read it twice and have no idea what he is saying.. not a clue.. you are all being very kind and generous in your praise which i think is quite lovely of you which is the reason i love this site!!

• I sent some twitters to them about some of the crap on their site and they blocked me!!! they are so pompous, gloating and self congratulatory i think its called toxic narcissism it would be entertaining if they were not killing people everyday.

• Its the patients fault for being treatment resistant …

• i wonder if the fake psychiatrist was any worse than the “real “ones ??? watching someone with akathisia who cannot sit for even one minute and being completely ignored by the trick cyclist “it’s just the psychosis lets increase the drugs and add in beta blockers,benzos and sodium valporate…oh and temazepam and 2 anti depressants.. that was the end of our faith in any psychiatrist or engagement with ‘services’ so it was actually a good thing to see him in all his glory that early in the piece and again i wonder if the fake one could’ve been any more cruel,indifferent or manipulative….

• Eric brilliant piece as usual so many reminders in here for me of how this evil world wide system works, its lies ,fabrication, indifference,manipulation . and abuse of power.And as much as we can all express our sympathy or empathy to you nothing most of us can do to help you in any way. that is the bitter reality you are the person living thru this horror. Earlier today i was reading a uk piece in the guardian by a psychiatrist about how terrible and upset sectioning people makes them feel _ yeh sure!! anyway thinking of you today from the other side of the world with intense admiration for your bravery and eloquence.

• Thank you ekaterina for this beautifully written and so glad you are out and home please keep writing

• Best comment yet street photo u made me laugh by bursting the pompous bubbles thank you !

• No idea what your point is here in relation to the article at all…….

• Exactly bonnie it was just a matter of when i have been wondering for some time when they would go after him. i’m just glad torrey has stopped putting cats brains in buckets!and if its true about his sister i feel very sorry for her just imagine her drug regime….will be interesting to see how Cochrane power struggle plays out but i think we can all work it out personally i avoid all and any scientific articles purporting to give evidence on psych drugs as i see the horrific ‘results’ every day in front of my eyes and that is all the truth and evidence I need. thanks robert for your usual well written piece.

• Despondent you are so right. quick to say drug resistant.. and just keep adding drugs till you cant stand up and because its quick and cheap ..

• Did a taper involving dilution pipetes and science smug psychiatrist how did you manage that ?? trying to catch me out ‘patronising oh you can do math bs..no one wants you to taper..or come off this stuff

• Same false advertising as anti psychotics bunch of jokers…

• There is just yourself and you are enough

• Thanks for this wonderful article and all the optomistic stories of hope from all of you much love to all x

• Fantastic read thank you so much

• Ted dont want to be sued simple as that folks.

• I so enjoyed this Jeannie thank you

• Lovely article thank you so much but depressing for those who cannot access such support

• Thanks for sharing Louise hay is confronting material as its basis is self love and extreme self care something we are not good at. Her mirror work book is also excellent take care and best wishes.yes definitely to magnesium I use the oil in foot bowl soaks as well as oral a very comforting and healing element thanks for the reminder bc Harris!!

• The only rudeness I have encountered is from arrogant moderators and I do think you fawn in a pathetic way over certain of your favourite professionals . You need to apply some rigour too many of your moderators are ‘professionals.. Which is an inbalance in itself. likes is a bit more populist crap.

• First they came for old head… what a vision him being led away defiant to the end
  i post a lot on other sites including American psychiatrists professional sites and never get moderated go figure how sad is that…and no one seems bothered here at mod in America.. God forgive you all a prophet is never recognised in their own lifetime they say mad away

• They are powerful rich and pathological liars do not try to look for any other meaning there is not one to be had. Also tho there are few alternative options for most people lwrote a haiku about one ‘of them ‘paunch pushing against his plaid shirt casually orders imprisonment for one who is worth one thousand of him’ keep on fighting concerned carer sending you compassion from over the sea.

• The article made me angry for various reasons opening paragraph words I’d no idea what they meant orthogonal is that to do with gonads ???. Angry consumers or lived experience people wont get to be invited to events because the people they want there are the passive victims who agree with drugs and restraint and worship the psychiatrists and psychologists and think anyone who doesn’t needs more drugs.
  In Australia they even run special courses to help you tell your story what this means is toning it down and being grateful to some person who broke you if you cant lie in this wy you won’t get to go to nothing. The same apologists will be wheeled out time and again t public events to represent the lived experience .. It’s a joke..in fact what will save you is refusal to engage with any organised groups events or professionals and hold on to your anger as it is the purest and best response to what has happened to you it is valid ‘do not look for healing at the feet of those ‘professionals’ who broke you !(with apologies for plagarising to Rupi Kaur) find your support or not outside the main stream as the mainstream will lead you back down an open sewer. Frank is quite right about the emperors nakedness unfortunately the Emperor is also the most powerful individual on earth as he can in prison you,drug you or electrocute you without impunity or review even with his gonads hanging out for all to see!!Keep up the fight you wonderful posters at MIA Oldhead someone else, don’t tone it down keep that anger stoked up..protest and survive that’s what recovery means gird yourself up like warriors as we are fighting for our lives and for people we love do not be cowed or sheep like as we all know what that leads to!much love to all including the authors who really don’t understand.

• Niall as usual perfectly nailed
  I have dealt with /listened to many australian psychiatrists all completely committed to chemical theory and genetic traits. All besotted with drugs. raising side effects gets you labelled as difficult and antipsychiatry..and more drugs for your family member! entire profession here a disgrace no regulation ..lots of involuntary orders no contemporary or compassionate practice avoid them at all costs. i would be very proud if they refused to publish me it means you speak the truth!

• Thank you rossa for your brilliant article inspiring.i went to a workshop with Eleanor longden and she said her mother never gave up on her even when everyone else had. the role of the mother is downplayed in all forums including this site so lovely to hear what you both did and are still doing look forward to more articles from you as most Mother’s have no idea what to do . We feel that we know but we do not trust our instincts in a world that labels us as difficult and part of the problem. Thanks again.

• Thanks for the link to this wish washy report some terrible comments in there agree complete waste of money

• Soteria is the way forward but it is not going to happen as it has no value or worth or profit for drug companies or psychiatrists. Thank you robert for the great article shame it was hijacked sadly the great public are happy to see people shackled restrained or drugged s it makes them feel safe. A world spiralling out of control dark days indeed

• tireless fighter i love your clarity and agree with you completely. the psychologists are just less well paid psychiatrists who went to school for a shorter period. when push comes to shove they will have u locked up for your own good of course. meanwhile condoning and supporting the psychiatrists they revere no challenge no boat rocking no advocacy because they agree there is something wrong with you that needs fixing

• too little too late. last week i saw a world famous “expert” having a crafty smoke he told me he was sick, how do you feel now about your career ? i asked “l harmed too many people and their families” my reply “too little too late i hope someone forgives you i can’t” his reply ..”i dont blame you” Things ill done and done to others harm…

• what a find the on being site some fantastic items in there
  thank you so much for leading me there!

• agree with you completely re mental health weeks here in Oz its that time of year just before halloween
  lots of patronising lip service events, Schizophrenia Awareness week etc it is hideous and the reality is that no one actually cares there are no services other than meds and enforced involuntary admissions I guess it makes the community feel better about itself so it serves some purpose.

• it is very popular here in Australia for cats and dogs – cat psychologists abound and behaviorists who will analyze your pet and prescribe. Cesar Milan with medication in his bag!!
  Outdoor cats its high risk as they become dopey and dull in their natural instincts .

• thank you Frank
  Agree completely there is no alternative treatment out there at all.. you either sort it out yourself or rely on the spawn of the devil to give you drugs ….

  Devil and the deep blue sea ..

• Completely agree with you the purity of your piece is breathtaking
  thank you!

• Elyn Saks is a disgrace people like her are part of the problem not part of the solution
  She should know better

• Yes Bruce is completely into the idea that he was depressed because his brain chemistry was stuffed up.. its a working class thing that someone cleverer must know the truth..shame on him
  I have not listened to a single track of his since then and Carrie Fisher an apologist for the drug industry her stupid brother made a huge prozac pill to carry at her funeral really he has missed the point the drugs killed her you moron and the diabetes and heart disease and maternal abuse by a mother who solicited her out at an early age

• Agree with you Oldhead but no one here wants to go there re the actual study have u noticed that ?
  Do you know?? what it is ?
  Tired of reading thru the garbage trying to find out
  i read lots of stuff every week that is discouraging and devastating that i ignore because it is BS

• Matt had respect for everyone’s opinion always diligently replied to people,kind and encouraging when others on this site can be less than pleasant.
  Very sad news and a reminder of the thin veneer we all have varnishing over our pain and fragility I will never forget his kindness and care.

• Peter what a great system sorely needed everywhere these drugs are prescribed please do whatever u can to proliferate world wide
  Sadly people are happy to prescribe them but completely indifferent to managing the side effects even when they are life threatening
  My son developed severe serotonin syndrome pulse 160 profuse sweating ocular signs etc on zoloft and respiridone taken to emergency and only treated properly thanks to us taking a copy of the John Hunter NSW serotonin syndrome protocol with us and giving it to the doctor who was about to have him locked up as psychotic
  he would’ve died in there and I’m sure many people do
  tapering you manage on your own as well as you can how can they prescribe these drugs without consequences ??

• Dana
  sorry to hear your story take care of yourself thinking of you you are a very brave woman

• thanks Angela so sad to read this and wondering how you will be able to work with Doctors and psychologists who prescribe these drugs like they are sweets and cold turkey people off them and add new ones like it is a lottery.
  It has taken almost 3 years to slow taper my son off various z drugs, antid’s, olanzapine, epilim the full cocktail i have seen the akathesia up close and personal, the days of brain zaps and unable to sit still for more than a minute before up again endless walking and the doctor just added in more drugs and threatened him with clozapine IM and said it was all psychosomatic and part of the “illness”..and that i should just let him get on with his job. u can see why these kind of people go in for torturing and interrogating jobs..
  If I had let him my son would be dead because he said that would’ve been preferable to living with eternal restlessness.
  You must keep up this good work and keep on caring for yourself and getting better every day so you can help other people but you must also be incredibly careful not to burn out and give too much of yourself
  love and thoughts to youX

• sad but true oldhead it is everywhere not just the US that community does not exist those who have it are very lucky and I envy them-

• nicotinic acid does the bright red entire upper body thing have swopped to nicotinamide!

• Truth there is no such thing as off tangent on this site so not sure what your problem is….
  We ramble all over the shop back and forth which is the joy of the site go with the flow there is room for all views and the fluidity is what keeps it interesting!!

• Hi Niall
  great article – AND there is no sign of you slowing down or backing off which in australia is usually what happens- so good on you for your tenacity.
  I’m just suprised AHPRA have not come after you for something as you are a thorn in the side of the system.
  My best friend in the UK has had multiple well over 50 shocks of ECT’, heart failure as a result and drug induced diabetes and osteoporosis and is over 200 Kg in weight.
  Tragic to see her – someone should be charged for what they have done to her following post natal depression 25 years ago while her husband had cancer and her baby was born disabled,(not suprising she was depressed )
  It is torture pure and simple- we were student nurses 35 years ago and witenssed long ECT lists in the UK at the Midland nerve hospital. We both said “we will never let anyone do that to us ” the naivety of youth!
  Anyway Niall keep up the good work it will be a very sad day when you are no longer around as there will be no voice in the wilderness then, no defender for the helpless ones.

• great article thank you
  have tried the niacin etc but the flushing was painful. At the end of the day you have to try whatever comes to hand but it is hard when you are so isolated in a society that does not care to keep on getting up every day and keeping on going !

• I read ur piece with increasing credulity as i went aLONG
  U really have no interest in mad people at all
  Quite why u have been allowed on this site I don’t know.
  Your belief in the genetic eugenics biological model sitting there in ur peals god forgive u and the obsequious response from members of this forum shame on u
  really need to get over yourself and go back to whatever u did before and you multiple houses etc while the rest of us just get on with it and avoid enforced imprisonment as best we can

• Arron this is a fantastic piece
  well done
  they have no interest in the actual truth just lies , what suits, an oppressive system whatever they can get away with because they can
  I love the first person pieces on MIA because of the guttural honesty that resonates
  thank you !

• Dear Anne
  I am in oz too in WA and that sounds so horribly typical. they label they vilify and they love their drugs it is unbelievable,
  the well paid chief psychiatrist and the minister for MH purportedly there to ensure protection and balance just sides with his negligent abusive mates who can lock u up whenever they feel like it
  Well done u for carrying on it gets very tiring to constantly be fighting this injustice but at least ur not going under
  take care of u and yours
  kind regards from someone who understands

• Does anyone know what happened on the 22nd to Carmela?

• these “professionals” can lock you up for as long as they want in a place that is worse than hell
  this week in australia on primetime tv we have seen the horror of Lismore Base hopsital psych unit the deaths and cruelty inflicted there by staff who drugged at will secluded at will and spent the night shift watching tv and sleeping while people fell multiple times in the locked cells!
  those are your helpers !
  the “alternative” helpers as monica says quite rightly can be just as abusive, the do gooding NGO’s with their peer support workers usually part of the problem not the solution, the lived experience people can be as toxic choose carefully who you will share anything at all with
  this was a wonderful post Monica and a timely reminder to all of us of the way forward thank you

• Here in Australia we have Dr Patrick McGorry leader of the Early psychosis program
  what this means is drugs, drugs and more drugs ! he does love his drugs bet he wouldn’t give them to his own family tho ..
  the proponents are zealots -on a mission to root out any sign they consider to demonstrate psychosis . they are like the witch finder general or the inquisition.
  my family member was once asked why he was watching the trick cyclists hands answer “because you move them about a lot” (this was true i have never seen such an arm waver) this was viewed as evidence of psychosis (the watching and the answer) and drugs increased as a result! last visit to that person
  the dr was mad as a cut snake but a very powerful snake and he damaged many many people that year
  The McGorry protocol for anyone not wanting to take drugs is a community treatment order, clozapine and or ECT ! truly he wrote that as a protocol and was made Australian of the year for his efforts that year !!
  yes they are desperate the Australians like small children
  Millions was pored into this program across Australia no money for anything else that might actually help
  Those of you who have suffered on this site and say avoid the system and its servants are correct
  don’t engage with them there is no point, avoid and work out your own ways forward do not afford them any legitimacy. Turn your back on them but only after you have put two fingers up at them .. they are not fit to wipe your shoes.

• thank you Johanna I found your book the bitterest pill on the horror of anti-psychotic drugs inspiring and it firmly set me on a path that has led to major conflict with the evil that is psychiatry, Never have so few done some much harm to so many and with so little care and zero consequences for them other than earning the big bucks !.. when in doubt increase the drugs .. and ensure nothing else is available so they can continue to label and vilify some of the bravest and nicest people you are ever likely to meet!
  nothing will ever steer me from the belief that avoidance of these powerful people ( I use the term loosely) is the best solution for survival. shrink that is what they do shrink you to a one word label
  Garth Daniels featured here some months ago who was forcibly given ect against his and family consent in Victoria ‘escaped” to Queensland and is now locked up again being given clozapine by a different shrink..
  keep up the good work Johanna it is refreshing that you are genuinely interested in a debate and response and actually post a reply unlike other ‘famous” professionals!

• thank you Rufus. As usual a fantastic piece from someone who is actually helping people instead of just talking about it !
  You can organise a march but you will just be labelled as mad people because that is what they do … label you and nullify you .. the power is with the psychiatrists and will remain with them because that is how society contains its fear and anxiety.
  Most psychiatrists are pathological liars for a start off they have the upper hand here and yes despite people trying to tell us differently at the top of the comments a CTO here in Australia means just that it is an ORDER and if u do not obey u will be formed under the powers of the law and psychiatrically imprisoned for as long as they feel like banging u up for because not wanting drugs that give u diabetes heart disease and an early death must mean there is something very wrong with you!
  there are no checks and balances here and there are no alternatives , no Rufus around the corner to help and support u you find the help yourself or u bounce back to the trolley locked and shackled for 97 hours while waiting for a bed ….
  Hang on in there people and rufus keep up the good work – eternally grateful to know ur out there X

• what is wrong with you people ??
  incredible your rudeness

• thank you Monica as ever your compassion for others flows through the screen
  I love how you remind us that everyone must do this differently there is no recovery by numbers just trial and error and trying again… and the birds in the background so beautiful

• Dear Judy
  so sorry to hear your story and about the loss of your beautiful boy.. it is a very familiar one
  We only learn about the alternatives after it is too late and the damage is already done and I dont know how we change that fact.
  Its not as though we prepare for this situation or think it will happen so we only come to the alternatives too late and when we are in the thick of it often our first response is fear not awareness
  I’m a nurse too..
  take care of yourself too
  You are very brave and making a difference
  much love and thoughts to you karelX

• Dear Andri I would love to hear some of your insomnia solutions. This is often a trigger point for my son and one we have never really got to grips with. have tried melatonin and relaxation with limited success maybe you could do another post on it ?? thanks for your story take care

• Dear Steven
  thank you for this. Here in Australia 4 point restraint with straps is very common except quite often it is on a trolley in the middle of the emergency department no curtains, 27 hours tied up or more, 27 hours was described as lucky by the complaints manager as “lots of people are restrained for longer than that” – no one even pretends it is a helping room! and there certainly is no love there. Actually I’m wrong an old lady with a broken hip lying on another trolley beckoned me over “is that your son love ? they have treated him worse than an animal.. he looks like a lovely boy and I’m really sorry for what they have done.” That moment of love from a person in pain who didn’t know me probably saved me that day but those paid to “care” showed only callous indifference.

• thank you Terry . Excellent piece. is there a date for the launch of your next book yet ?
  I have found Selfhood one of the most inspiring books I have every read it has genuinely changed my life and coping skills i wish I lived in Ireland !!

• well everyone its great if you can access open dialogue sadly most people cant so it is a moot point What most people get is tranquilizing drugs that give you a fasting blood of 6.3 and a rubbish made up diagnosis and for some people locked up over and over again so not sure why you all think you can access open dialogue – where are you going for that ??? You are all missing the point in your tidy little world… so lovely… it does not exist you are delusional… these people are all sleeping in doorways in Perth Australia no open dialogue for them…

• As the mother of a person with a “label” I am very angry that “treatment”(joke)… in Australia consists solely of massive amounts of drugs …when my son came out of hospital he could not walk without falling over but this was cheap treatment ….my problem was “that i was anti psychiatry well actually I am proud to be anti over paid indifferent cruelty ..

• thanks matt keep up the good work …

• well done Matt more positive and encouraging dialogue .. as I have said before and will continue to say avoid Psychiatrists and their minions at all costs people! look inside yourself for solutions and ways through this… because that is where the answers lie

• thank you Matt for your excellent article it was good to see a wider cross section of responders than is often the case on this site including some family members and your due diligence in replying to people.
  I often find the responses quite negative and aggressive and there appears to be no moderation applied at all.. it is very easy to take a hard line about drugs and psychiatry and have a little tantrum about it and them but at the end of the day everyone has do what is right for them and usually with the odds stacked completely against them. So people on this site attacking others for their opinions is not helpful or supportive in any way and in fact you are just emulating the bullying moronic behavior of most psychiatrists and others in the field who do not give a toss about people in the slightest and enjoy locking them up and drugging them to within an inch of their life.

• thank you Matt great work and lovely to see you responding to everyone
  a much wider cross section of comments than usual including some family members,
  essentially for most of us in this boat there are either professionals over drugging,psychiatric imprisonment, labeling of anyone they feel like labeling or nothing at all other than trying to work things out for yourself and avoiding hospitals at all costs.
  Thank you for your references list much appreciated take care

• Dear David
  amazing post I just read from Australia. Thank you and good luck that you recovery from this toxic crap they fed you while pretending to be “professionals”. Everyone out there the best thing you can do as MIA bloggers advise over us and over is avoid these people…

• Large doses of anti-epilepsy drugs such as Epilim are a very popular feature of the first episode psychosis “movement” drug algorithms. They continue to be marketed as “mood stabilisers” tho there is no evidence at all that such a thing exists or is required. how fascinating but very sad that maybe they cause psychosis.

• thank you Emily
  keep on going, don’t lose heart I appreciated your honesty and I’m sure your clients do too there is so little compassion in the system

• John Read’s correspondence reads like my own file of “appeals” in Australia albeit in a different state. All ignored, all fobbed off, labelled as anti psychiatry . No checks ,no balances and no one actually cares because it won’t happen to them or their relatives. They call it the lucky country- lucky if you don’t live here. TS Eliot said human kind cannot bear very much reality here not only can’t we bear it we actively avoid it !

• Sadly Australian psychiatry is characterised by over medication, polypharmacy and ilegal detention.if you complain you will be labelled, libelled and villified. As John Read notes the regulatory bodies will merely support those you are complaining about. Essentially bullies with unlimited power. Your best hope is to have as little to do with these ‘people” as possible. Do your own research, find your own supports – dont give up.
  Amnesty should adopt Garth Daniels as a prisoner of conscience because that is what he is. Good on you John Read for your support for Garth and his family for which you will not be popular!