Your Drug May Be Your Problem: How And Why To Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications - Hardcover

Breggin, Peter; Cohen, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0738201847 ISBN 13: 9780738201849

Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books, 1999

Synopsis

Well over ten million Americans are prescribed a psychiatric medication annually, for symptoms as varied as headache and insomnia to depression and various psychiatric disorders. Unbelievably, many of these drugs have not been formally tested to treat the problems for which they have been prescribed. Scientifically documenting the need for an end to this vicious cycle of inadequate approval, mis-medication, and irresponsible inattention to adverse side effects, Breggin and Cohen advocate compassionate and non-toxic therapies, and offer readers a roadmap for sensible, safe withdrawal from psychiatric drugs.Whether the drug is a sleeping pill, tranquilizer, stimulant, antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or antipsychotic, Your Drug May Be Your Problem reveals its documented withdrawal symptoms, demonstrating what many doctors don't know, understand, or consider: withdrawal symptoms often mimic the symptoms for which a person has been medicated in the first place, a fact that frequently prompts doctors to mistakenly re-medicate their patients at even higher doses. Armed with this essential background information, readers will then be able to choose for themselves when and how to withdraw from psychiatric drugs. Groundbreaking and empowering, Your Drug May Be Your Problem offers readers what they have long sought—a medically and psychologically sound program for freeing themselves from psychiatric drugs, emphasizing throughout the importance for patients to keep control over the withdrawal process.

About this title

About the Author

Peter R. Breggin, M.D., is the author of a dozen books, including Talking Back to Prozac and The Antidepressant Factbook. He lives in Ithaca, New York.

Reviews

In his previous books (Toxic Psychiatry, Talking Back to Prozac), psychiatrist Breggin laid the groundwork for his battle against what he sees as American psychiatry's harmful overdependence on prescribing medication. This time out, he reiterates his primary tenets and, having teamed up with David Cohen, a professor of social work at the University of Montreal, provides practical advice for those who are considering stopping medication. According to the authors, psychiatric drugs have replaced religion, spirituality, human relationships and introspection as the solution of first resort for the suffering endemic to a full human life. Because scientists know very little about the brain, Breggin and Cohen argue, the much-touted theory that depression and mental illness arise from chemical imbalances is "sheer speculation" and the propagandistic cornerstone of a massive public relations campaign by drug companies. In a well-researched argument that suffers from a somewhat dogmatic tone, they contend that, rather than improve the brain's functioning, these drugs actually create such imbalances, causing immediate and sometimes irreversible damage. In place of medication, Breggin and Cohen recommend therapy, as well as a commitment to religious, spiritual or philosophic ideas, and offer a step-by-step approach to ending dependence on medication, to be undertaken only with medical guidance. Although the authors warn readers against feeling pressured to forgo medication, they never explore the alternatives. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Although the author goes overboard in arguing against the use of any psychiatric medications, this guide nonetheless raises worthwhile, challenging questions about inappropriate and excessive medicating. It also offers sound, carefuland hard to come byguidelines on how to safely discontinue the various meds. Psychiatrist Breggin (Toxic Psychiatry, 1991, etc.) and Cohen, a social work professor at the University of Montreal, feel strongly that psychiatric medication is overprescribed and misused, partly as a result of marketing efforts by pharmaceutical companies. The basic question they pose is ``What are our ultimate resources in lifethe places and persons to whom we turn for help, direction, and inspiration?'' Faith, connection with others, creative outlets, enjoyment of nature, and physical activity are among the available appropriate resources to encourage personal growth. But instead, the authors argue, more and more people are relying on ``a psychoactive or mind-altering substance.'' Since we have an extremely limited understanding of brain function, they further point out, we have only a vague notion of how these medications work. And in the authors' experience, suppressing feelings and estranging patients from their own emotions seriously hinders therapy. Brogan and Cohen alert readers to the long list of side effects of such drugs, and set out stringent recommendations for discontinuing them (too rapid a withdrawal can cause very serious medical problems). Overall, these are thought-provoking, generally well-based arguments, coupled with valuable advice. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Psychiatrist Breggin is known for his clear-eyed views on much of current psychiatric thinking and practice. Working with long-time psychiatric medications researcher Cohen, he offers a scientifically based book that is also appealingly thought-provoking. Many psychiatrists believe that most emotional and spiritual problems are produced by disorders resulting from biochemical imbalances. Those putative imbalances, supposedly resulting from biological and genetic causes, are, however, so much guesswork, Breggin and Cohen say. Wealthy pharmaceutical companies and organized psychiatry push the idea of imbalances because it has allowed easy diagnoses and high profits. Even HMOs push psychiatric drugs, which can often have dangerous long-term effects, as supposedly less costly than programs of psychotherapy. And primary physicians and psychiatrists reach for the prescription pad too quickly, Breggin and Cohen think. This is a book that stirs up the sludge in the psychiatric pot, thereby serving a useful purpose. William Beatty

In psychiatric circles today, being anti-drug has become a countercultural stance. This rebellious review of psychiatric drugs argues that patients should be better informed before starting or stopping medications. Breggin, a psychiatrist and author of Talking Back to Prozac and Talking Back to Ritalin, and Cohen (social work, Univ. of Montreal) summarize important information in an easy-to-read format. The hazards of drugs in general, details of potential withdrawal reactions, and specific suggestions on how to withdraw safely are covered. The book concludes with a hopeful discussion on how emotional crises can be handled in a drug-free manner. The author's warnings about the need for medical supervision are responsibly presented, and their explanations of the limits of the FDA approval process are enlightening. However, their attack on psychiatry as a profession for its capitulation to the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry may be overdone. This is nonetheless a well-researched and thought-provoking book. Recommended for consumer health collections.AAntoinette Brinkman, Southwest Indiana Mental Health Ctr. Lib., Evansville
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0738201847
• ISBN 13: 9780738201849
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288