Depression Expression In this issue:

2 Editorial 3 Teens raising questions 4 Kids 5 Facts 6 Advertising about antidepressants 7 Selling Sickness 8 Psychiatry 9 Activism 10 Alternatives 12 Water 13 Withdrawal 14 Interview 16 Big Pharma 17 Suicide 18 Poverty 19 Resources 20 Take Action

Antidepressants 101 Buying the medical

Antidepressants, including SSRIs ways include Effexor, Remeron, In 2004, both Health Canada profession (selective serotonin reuptake Wellbutrin or Zyban, and Serzone. and the FDA issued warnings inhibitors), are a group of Completing the list are Anafranil, about increased suicidal risks from drugs commonly prescribed for Aventyl, Cymbalta, Desyrel, taking antidepressant medication. By Allan Cassels, drug policy researcher, depression and anxiety. Elavil, Lexapro, Limbitrol, Health Canada also required University of Victoria Ludiomil, Marplan, Nardil, industry to send out advisories Antidepressants may be Norpramin, Pamelor, Parnate, which included the following: Since the first selective pressure on physicians by drug prescribed for sadness, pain relief, Pexeva, Serafem, Sinequan, “There are clinical trial and post- serotonin reuptake inhibitor marketers to get them to think anxiety, obsessive-compulsive Surmontil, Symbyax, Tofranil, marketing reports with SSRIs or SSRI (Eli Lilly’s Prozac) was about depression as a “chemical behaviour, sleep problems, Tofranil PM, Triavil and Vivactil. and other newer antidepressants, approved in the US in 1988, cases imbalance.” And the creation of smoking cessation, behaviour in both pediatrics and adults, of of depression there have nearly new “niches” in the depression problems, PMS, menopause and The most common side effects severe agitation-type adverse doubled. market has helped too. depression. of these drugs include: events coupled with self-harm or • mania, anxiety, agitation harm to others. The agitation- Some argue that the Drug marketers know that the There are dozens of • sexual dysfunction type events include akathisia, antidepressant drug market’s most effective weapons in the antidepressants in total that affect • emotional problems, dullness, agitation, disinhibition, emotional phenomenal growth is due to our arsenal of persuasion are gifts your brain chemistry, but the and feeling detached or distant lability, hostility, aggression, ability to better identify people – free samples, pens, and free most common are SSRIs (selective from others depersonalization. In some cases, undergoing mental distress. meals bestowed on physicians by serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such • weight gain or weight loss the events occurred within several Others blame our frenetic, drug reps thousands of times a day as Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft • an increase in suicidal thoughts weeks of starting treatment.” stressful lifestyle or our lack of around the world. This activity, and Celexa. Other relatively new and attempts traditional social supports. which accompanies the product antidepressants that alter brain • skin, stomach and bladder If you have any of these pushing known as “detailing” chemistry in slightly different problems reactions or side effects, let a Regardless, what has fuelled constitutes a large part of what • dependence and addiction friend or family member know as the skyrocketing rates of • falls and fractures well as your physician. Be self- antidepressant use is the incessant continued on page 2 This publication explores aware and kind to yourself. issues around antidepressant use: why it is so common, what effects these drugs have, and Your drug may be your problem what are the alternatives.

We dedicate this project By Angela Bischoff, Toronto to the late Tooker Gomberg – our friend, co-conspirator I’m a suicide survivor. My especially for the person driven What could possibly have driven ghost at age 48. We had an and guiding light. To him. to all soulmate of 17 years, Tooker to take his/her own life. Unless him to such despair? excellent relationship; he had those affected adversely by Gomberg, committed suicide you’ve been there, you just can’t skills and friends; he was kind, pharmaceutical drugs, and to March 3, 2004. I lost my best know this darkest torture of the The world lost a warrior humorous, courageous, a fighter, all the families and friends who friend and the world lost a warrior. soul. I saw Tooker’s anguish, one a leader, and he had fame and have been touched by such so deep and riveting that he saw Tooker Gomberg, internationally respect around the world. What tragedies, we honour The pain around suicide is no choice but to end the suffering renowned environmental, peace went wrong? your struggle and unfathomable – and indescribable through death. and justice activist, gave up the wish you peace. – for those left behind, but continued on page 5

2006 www.greenspiration.org From the editor By Angela Bischoff, Toronto

A pill, a pill, a pill for every ill. we’re told, and most of us do supported by our medical buyer beware. It’s up to us, as The rap dances through my brain – without a pill. system and corporate culture, consumers, to disregard the hype, like a mantra. Too fat, too thin, we buy into it. to be skeptical, to know that the too happy, too sad: whatever the Meanwhile, we’re witness (and pill we cradle in our palm may ease Depression problem, big pharma has a pill it party) to tragic environmental And they profit. Antidepressants our pain, but will just as surely take claims can cure us. But what are decline – climate change, species constituted a global market worth its toll. Expression the consequences? extinction, deforestation, genetic $14.3 billion in 2002, growing mutations – plus chemical warfare, 50% since 1994. And there’s no We need to change our Raising questions “Wonder drugs” of the 1990s, massive social inequity, and an end in sight. In 2003, one in five definition of success to make antidepressants are now being economy concerned not with life, women in BC was prescribed extreme ambition and conspicuous about swallowed by 50 million people but money. It’s a wonder we’re not an SSRI. consumption, well, just uncool, worldwide, and the number is all depressed! unacceptable. antidepressants growing. While their dangerous We can take charge of side effects are now emerging, In 2003, one in five We can take pleasure in raising Publisher: Greenspiration it’s clear manufacturers have our health our kids to respect nature and each downplayed known risks, and women in BC was other, honouring their unique Editor: Angela Bischoff regulators and doctors haven’t personalities. We can take charge Designer: fmw design been skeptical enough to properly prescribed an SSRI. The pharmaceutical industry’s of our health – grow our own protect us. sheer size has helped it “get away organic food, cook from scratch, Our despair is pathologized with murder.” How many have died commute by bike. We can engage Contributing Editor: Every day six billion people and we’re given diagnoses like from side effects? in community. And with passion Miriam Hawkins get up and deal with a life that Oppositional Defiance Disorder and courage, we can create the might be comfortable, difficult, and prescribed a pill, and then We can rail at corporate greed world we dream of. We welcome your challenging or deprived – but they another to counter the effects of and government complicity – and comments, contributions carry on. “Live one day at a time,” the first, and so on. A paradigm we must. But it’s also time to say, No magic pills can do that for us. and financial support. Contact us at: www.Greenspiration.org Buying the medical SSRI use skyrockets Email: [email protected] 92 Manor Drive, profession from Women and Health Protection Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada T8A 2J1 continued from page 1 A new Canadian report, The of the idea that depression is We would like to your GP will ever learn about paradigm of mental health care Marketization of Depression: “biological,” and the rise of an era acknowledge the generous prescription drugs and about has largely been reduced to the Prescribing SSRI Antidepressants of aggressive marketing. She asks support of the Tooker treating mental illness. tweaking of neurotransmitters and to Women, documents the vast why “depression rates have soared Gomberg Activist Fund, serotonin levels with patented increase in the so dramatically in the last 15 to 20 Phoenix Works Community You might think your physician drugs? use of SSRI years at exactly Foundation, VIA Rail Canada can see through the marketing antidepressants Two-thirds of SSRIs the same time in this as SSRIs came and our advertisers. spiels, yet the data says something The culture of antidepressant are going to women very different. In 1998, Toronto use has been beaten into our country, with onto the market prescriptions and have been Special thanks to all who drug policy researcher Joel collective consciousness. Adverse Lexchin reviewed the literature effects associated with these drugs, growing from aggressively helped organize and promote just under 9 million promoted by drug the Healthy Mind Body Planet on detailing by pharmaceutical however, such as the association representatives and found a very with suicidality, and alternative in 1999 to over 15.5 companies.” Tour in cities and towns million by 2003, two- across the country, especially strong link between contact views of illness and treatment, do with drug reps and inappropriate not seem to get much airplay. thirds of these going Soaring health Kelly Reinhardt and Bridget to women. care costs can Haworth of www.boili ngfrog. prescribing. In fact, Lexchin found that the more frequently With thousands of drug reps partly be blamed ca, Cameron Johnson and Jean Researcher Janet on antidepressants, Blais Mathieu. prescribers saw industry detailers, working clinics, hospitals and the more prone they were to use conferences worldwide, how can Currie suggests a according to the report, pharmacotherapy versus non- public health compete? How can number of reasons for which shows total Thanks also to all the the increasing use of antidepressant drug costs volunteers who contributed to drug therapy, and the more likely we reclaim medicine from the they were to use more expensive marketplace? these drugs, such as rising 347% from 1993 this publication with their time greater acceptance to 2000. and skill, especially Andy Singer medications when cheaper and and all writers. equally effective ones were Antidepressants fit the single- available. pill solution that many of us expect. Yet when the definitions Important With drug reps constantly of disease itself are being sold, parading in front of doctors, and where the dangers inherent in To take drugs or not is a the chemical view of illness is using pills are downplayed, how personal decision. The purpose shaped and reinforced behind many physicians really have what of this publication is to help closed doors. Why should we they need to help their patients consumers make informed be surprised that the dominant through tough times? decisions.

No psychiatric drug should be stopped suddenly – this could result in serious symptoms or What is health care could even be life-threatening. “Health care” is a term Gesundheit! is a vibrant If you think your drug is that refers to many different microcosm of our envisioned causing or worsening your things here at the Gesundheit! healthier world. We believe that problems, contact a doctor or community in West Virginia introducing a compassionate and health care practitioner who is eating healthy, organic food, fun-spirited community into our knowledgeable about adverse drinking clean water and society, through the practice drug reactions and is willing to breathing clean air are all a of health care in particular, will listen to your concerns. part of health care. return us to the heart of the If you experience any adverse healing process – the making of Protecting the environment reactions from a drug you are healthy relationships sustained by taking, report it to the Regional and the ecosystems we all share a spirit of friendship and fun. Adverse Reaction Centre toll is planetary health care, because free 1-866-234-2345. This is a the planet provides all we need Gesundheit! Institute, West confidential service provided to thrive. Laughter, nature, music Virginia, founded by Patch Adams by Health Canada to help track and art are all health care, and adverse reactions people have of course, compassionate service experienced with prescription based in medicine is health care. drugs.is to help consumers make informed decisions. 2 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 Compiled from various news sources – Ed. Teens Psychotropic drugs for teens skyrocket

Mind-altering drug prescriptions The study shows that by 2001, by medical treatment. North for teenagers skyrocketed Effects include mania, one in every ten doctors’ office American children, for example, 250% between 1994 and 2001, visits by teenage boys led to a are increasingly being diagnosed according to a new Brandeis agitation, anxiety, prescription for a mind-altering with manic depression (a.k.a. bi- University study in the journal irritability, impulsivity, drug. Of these 25% were not polar disorder) in record numbers. Psychiatric Services. associated with a diagnosis, and Elsewhere in the world, this testimonial insomnia, depression, one-third were given a diagnosis diagnosis in children is unheard of. of ADHD (Attention Deficit This dramatic increase in suicidality and lost my only daughter, 20 adolescent visits to health care Hyperactivity Disorder). FDA-approved labels of I years old, in May 2004. She professionals that resulted in a psychosis. psychoactive drugs prescribed for prescription for a psychotropic Evidence from controlled children have stimulant effects killed herself in the subway drug to counter depression, fact that few psychotropic drugs trials has demonstrated that that include mania, agitation, one night after an increased anxiety and mood or attention are approved for use in children psychotropic drugs induce anxiety, irritability, impulsivity, dose in her antidepressant disorders occurred despite the under 18. severe adverse effects and new insomnia, depression, suicidality medication. (iatrogenic) illness caused and psychosis. Her short life is a tragedy of unbelievable proportions. Her mental disorder began in elementary school. At Prescription drug abuse by youth age 15 she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality If two reports by Columbia doubled between 1992 and 2003, prescription drugs, and the Disorder (BPD). University’s National Center on abuse by teenagers during those The medicine cabinet number of teens trying these drugs Addiction and Substance Abuse years tripled. for the first time as recreational She had been on more than have it right, more kids than ever is a greater temptation drugs. one antidepressant. Risks such have their fingers – and sometimes Similar increases appear in the and threat than the their noses – in somebody else’s August report, National Survey of The explosion in the prescribing as suicidality and withdrawal psychiatric prescription pill bottle. American Attitudes on Substance illegal street drug of addictive opioids, depressants were not explained to us. Abuse: Teens and Parents. Between dealer. and stimulants has, for many Doctors had also prescribed The July 2005 report Under April 2004 and June 2005, for children, made the medicine Ritalin against my wishes the Counter: The Diversion and Abuse example, the percentage of teens Particularly alarming is the cabinet a greater temptation based on her claiming she had of Controlled Prescription Drugs in who knew a friend or classmate 212% increase from 1992 to and threat than the illegal street ADD, but we learned from her the U.S., estimates that while who had abused prescription 2003 in the number of 12- to drug dealer, as some parents journal that her reasons were self-reported use of prescription drugs jumped 86%. 17-year-olds abusing controlled have become unwitting and for weight loss. She became drugs by people of all ages nearly passive pushers. addicted to Ritalin, snorting it as “Kiddie Cocaine”. The doctors did not have any idea of this risk, nor did we think they would give her something Drugs Discouraged in UK Drugs not approved dangerous. She characterized one of her doctors as her In September 2005, the UK The new NHS guidelines mark for kids “dealer” while she lied to him National Health Service (NHS) a watershed in the treatment about her need for Ritalin. took a decisive, responsible step of children’s mental health. o antidepressants are approved evidence that the drugs can N I am left with the horror of to protect the lives of children They shift the focus sharply in Canada for persons under 19 cause substantial harm, including exposed to serious risks of harm away from psychiatric drugs years of age. In the US, there suicidal thoughts and gestures, regret that “I could have done from antidepressant drugs. that millions of children are is one antidepressant approved hostility and aggressiveness. better”, but tragically, we do Their new guidelines instruct taking for depression, anxiety for those aged eight years and not have a second chance. The UK doctors to stop prescribing and other problems. Children over, but it comes with a strong No antidepressants are doctors rationalize her death antidepressants to children with mild depression should warning about the potential for by saying “depressed people be given advice on diet and under 18 because of the serious serious adverse effects, including approved in Canada for do commit suicide”, but her risks that the pills will make exercise, the guidance tells GPs. becoming suicidal. death was preventable had her them feel suicidal. Those with moderate and even persons under 19 years care been managed better, and severe depression should be There is little evidence that of age. offered a three-month course of had we been better counselled SSRI use with adolescents on her illness. counselling. is effective and increasing Nevertheless, doctors are prescribing them to children in unprecedented numbers, off-label. Suicide is a major risk (This means that the drugs are for BPD. I now wish I had being prescribed for a use for “researched” her illness on the TeenScreen: which they were never explicitly net, but I foolishly depended approved.) on her medical caregivers. the making of mental patients She saw 6 different doctors. Her care was poor when you Edited from content written by Sandra Lucas consider the seriousness of Numbers her illness. Throughout the US, millions of for lifelong psychiatric patients in and 580% for children under six. In the end, I am left with school children are being tested our schools. Between 1998 and 2003, there was the unimaginable loss and for mental health problems with a another 49% increase in children 10-minute computer test. Particularly distressing is the taking antidepressants. speak a terrible sense of guilt. My data released by a recent survey, life has become a living hell of pain. In October, 2004, after taking published in JAM Academy To make matters worse, on By David Healy, author of TeenScreen, 16-year-old Chelsea Adolescent Psychiatry 2002, showing September 15, 2004, the FDA more than 120 peer-reviewed Rhoades of Indiana was told she that nine out of ten children stated that a causal role for Toronto, ON (middle-aged man) had two mental health problems, who see a psychiatrist are given antidepressants in inducing articles and more than a dozen obsessive-compulsive disorder psychiatric drugs. suicidality had been established books. (OCD) and social anxiety disorder in pediatric patients, and that (SAD). The diagnoses were based Children given children given psychiatric drugs • The odds on you becoming • With 50 million people on upon Chelsea’s responses that she were twice as likely to commit anxious on antidepressants are one antidepressants worldwide, that’s liked to help clean the house and psychiatric drugs were suicide as those given a placebo. in four. 100,000 tragic deaths. didn’t “party” much. Chelsea is twice as likely to As a result of this finding, the one of countless children who commit suicide as those FDA ordered drug manufacturers • The odds on you becoming • At least 250,000 people have get labelled with fraudulent to place a Black-Box warning seriously anxious are one in 20. attempted suicide worldwide diagnoses every day. given a placebo. on all antidepressant labels. because of Prozac alone and at The Black-Box warning is the • The odds on you becoming least 25,000 have succeeded. TeenScreen is nothing more Another recent survey showed most serious measure that the suicidally anxious are one in 80. than an unscientific mental health that between 1995 and 1999, the FDA can take regarding a survey that professes to discover use of antidepressants increased prescription medication, short • The odds on you committing “mental illnesses”, but in fact trolls 151% for seven to 12-year-olds of an outright ban. suicide are one in 500.

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 3 Kids Compiled from various news sources – Ed. Changing our children’s personalities By Donna Barker, Vancouver

At my son’s very first parent- moods and behaviour. Over the this drug is safe for teacher meeting, Liam’s past decade, the increase in the use with children?” kindergarten teacher informed us number of very young children Perhaps most Ten testimonial that he was a challenging child to placed on Ritalin or similar importantly, parents have in her class. He interrupted psychoactive medications has should consider why her lectures and made other kids been staggering. Recent studies their child is acting I was pregnant, penniless, laugh. Unless we “changed his cite a 300 percent rise in the in this way and try little young and in a new personality” she said, he would number of two- to four-year olds to address the root relationship. I got fired, had have trouble through his school taking these medications and cause, which in terrible morning sickness and, years. estimate that nearly 20 percent of most cases will be monkeys no surprise, got depressed school-aged children in the US more difficult than about it all. At four months I spent hours doing Web are taking personality-changing simply applying a searches to find the set of drugs. In addition to psychoactive pharmaceutical fix. pregnant, I found myself personality traits that would please drugs, over 11 million children in a psychiatrist’s office her. I learned that my sweet son were prescribed an antidepressant In the case of my receiving a prescription for an exhibited every single behaviour in 2003 in the US. sweet son, it’s been antidepressant, as if this would trait of a kid with ADHD and four years since help my dire life circumstances. most of those of a child with that first parent- I wanted to laugh at the bipolar disorder. And that his Most studies showed teacher meeting. absurdity of it all, but it was no behaviour was classic for gifted that the drugs had Several different laughing matter. children. careproviders and no effect compared teachers have Somehow I knew drugs Unless we “changed to placebos. now suggested couldn’t be good for my fetus, he be put on By Walter Flueck, Edmonton behaviour-altering although my doctor wasn’t his personality” The danger of prescribing SSRI drugs and that his Ten little monkeys concerned. she said, he would antidepressants to children was “individuality” is jumping on the bed exposed in 2004, when scientist a problem. My one fell off I chose instead to take a have trouble. Dr. Andrew Mosholder was response is the same: and broke his head hard look at myself and face assigned to look at 28 studies of a smile, a “thank you my demons. I changed my diet, I concluded that the only way I SSRI antidepressant use among for your opinion” Mama called the doctor took up exercise, and thought could give the teacher the student children. His findings were quite and a conversation and the doctor said positively. Within months I she wanted was to put Liam on troubling: most studies showed with Liam about these monkeys are behaving hyperactively was coping better, finding joy a psychoactive drug that would that the drugs had no effect what we can do to which could be a side effect of their Anfranil ocassionally, and I now have effectively change his five-year-old compared to placebos, and some help him meet the a healthy baby boy. Thank personality. Problem was, I love all showed the drugs caused greater teacher’s and care- or perhaps the Ritalin for their ADHD of Liam’s personality traits. When harm than benefit. giver’s needs. is stimulating them potentially goodness I listened to my he argues with me, I envision intuition. him as a future lawyer. When he Liam’s challenging We’ll need to prescribe Paxipam obsesses over building the perfect We identified a behaviour does in doses three Toronto, ON (young woman) Lego character, I imagine him as continue but to a an engineer. When he explodes number of food and lesser degree since and Thorazine especially into a rage that I’m not being fair, chemical allergies. we identified a during the week Newborns I see the human rights activist in number of food and him. All of his personality traits, as chemical allergies Risperdal if they begin to act irrationally challenging as they sometimes are, Of course, parents of children and have eliminated Prozac if they continue to jump impulsively undergo have the potential to serve him who exhibit signs of depression those triggers from well as an adult. I simply could or questionable behaviour should his diet. He still And if neurotically, a dose of Seconal withdrawal not imagine him as broken or sick, take action. Perhaps a trip to a argues, obsesses and to put them out, fast asleep needing to be fixed or cured of the pediatrician or general practitioner explodes from time personality he was born with. is the right first step. But parents to time – an apple, Your sweet little angels are safe with me Nearly one in three infants born should go armed with information no doubt, that has My shareholders already are so happy to women taking antidepressant Sadly, millions of parents in and questions, such as, “is the fallen not too far drugs exhibit signs of withdrawal, North America are convinced drug you’re recommending my from his mother’s And if any of your offspring and the symptoms were classified that their young children would child receive approved for use in tree! threaten to explore eternity as severe in 13%, reports a 2006 somehow be “better” if put on a children?” And, “what long-term study by Dr. Rachel Levinson- prescription drug to alter their studies have been done to prove with suicidal ideation Castiel of the Children’s Medical then quickly call me Center of Israel in Petah Tiqwa. Mental illness I have many new drugs to choose from Symptoms such as high-pitched as you will see crying, tremors, gastrointestinal and blood Antidepressants problems and disturbed sleep may Why the latest drugs from the industry show up in the first 48 hours after may harm hold many new promises for all, you see birth and were more pronounced sugar in infants whose mothers had been We’ll soon have patents on new discoveries taking higher doses. A study in the September newborns’ lungs for every unknown disease 1999 issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry indicated a high and megatonnes of new pills guaranteed One in three infants ew research has linked the rate of diabetes in patients N …and to isolate and alter every abnormality use of Prozac and other similar exhibit signs of diagnosed with bipolar disorder, antidepressants during pregnancy demonstrating that mental hearts And if necessary withdrawal. to yet another complication in illnesses are blood sugar related. erase completely their identities newborns: an uncommon but life- The Food and threatening lung problem. Previous studies into the effects Anything that increases Drug Administration or reform them more thoughtfully of SSRIs on newborns have serotonin, such as SSRIs and sugar, and Health to keep only their side effects alive for me Infants whose mothers took identified such other symptoms as disrupts blood sugar levels. Canada warned the antidepressants in the second rapid breathing, bluish skin colour last year that Paxil to test our products eternally half of pregnancy had six times from lack of oxygen, feeding The state of Utah is known as is associated with with or without your consent, the courts agree the expected risk of developing difficulties, low blood sugar and the antidepressant capital of the heart defects when the lung disorder, the researchers jitteriness. US. In the last decade, diabetes taken during the and they won’t be cheap, you can trust me reported in February, 2006 in The has skyrocketed in Utah as a direct first three months of They’ll have to swallow pills constantly. New England Journal of Medicine. result of these antidepressants, pregnancy. and divorce and domestic violence But I’ll cut you in on the royalties have increased. and all your monkeys will no more bother be

You’ll have no more troubles, no more dread and no more monkeys jumping on the bed

4 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 Facts Your Drug May Be Your Problem continued from page 1

His first depression hit in antidepressant drug and quits it By extrapolating from clinical For everyone helped by a drug 2001-2 following the Quebec within the first month. Almost trial data and multiplying by treatment, there may be another City free trade protests, police half quit within three months. So numbers of users, Dr. David Healy harmed. testimonial clampdown and horrific mass while these drugs may help some from the UK claims that one in tear gas poisoning. Tooker was people, they are not reliable, not 500 users of antidepressant drugs And then there’s the disturbing I was going through a real discouraged and exhausted and even close. will complete suicide because of and very real issue of dependence “confusing” time in my life. his depression zapped the spark the drug. That’s 100,000 tragic on antidepressants. When you I had just gotten through a out of him for nine months. He If only drug companies were and unnecessary deaths among try to stop taking them, you can bad relationship. I lost a lot of tried many holistic alternatives suffer an emotionally distressing straight up about this. But that the 40 to 50 million people on weight. My doctor prescribed to pharmaceutical drugs before wouldn’t be good for sales. On the antidepressant drugs world-wide. withdrawal that includes Luvox. turning to an SSRI antidepressant. contrary, doctors are instructed “crashing” with depression, fatigue Nothing seemed to help but, through industry propaganda Clearly, drug companies have and feelings of hopelessness, and in time, he climbed out of his to “reduce patient dropout” by a lot to lose if this information often involves painful physical Within a few weeks I started despair. “managing” the side effects and becomes well understood. And symptoms such as flu-like to notice that I felt happier, as encouraging patients to stick with user numbers are growing quickly: symptoms, muscle cramps and in, always cheery. At first, it was When his second depression the program rather than to listen to there was an 80% increase in shock-like headaches. a nice change. I was sleeping hit a year later, unemployed their patients’ actual experiences. antidepressant prescriptions in nice, waking up well rested and after moving to a new city, he Canada from 1999 to 2004. What are the alternatives? just felt good. sought help through counseling One in four patients feels and pharmaceutical drugs, as Leaving pharmaceutical drugs But something inside me this was the only option our worse when beginning Agitation is a very aside, there’s much we can do could not get over the feeling health care system would pay for. any antidepressant drug potent predictor of to treat depression and anxiety, Psychiatrists and their drugs are especially of the mild and that it was artificial. covered but naturopathic doctors and quits it within the suicide and violence. moderate sort, where it all starts. and their medicines aren’t, nor are first month. (See centrefold.) By the end of the 3rd cognitive behavioural therapists, In February 2005, Dr. Dean month, I started to think, hey, massage therapists or other helpful Agitation is a very common side Fergusson of the Ottawa Health Proper diet, exercise, talk therapy I’m feeling so good, maybe I treatments. effect of antidepressant drugs, Research Institute and Faculty and hobbies keep your mind and don’t need these pills anymore. especially during early stages of of Medicine at the University body strong. Spiritual practice, That was the beginning of a When Tooker’s psychiatrist treatment or after a change in of Ottawa published a shocking meaningful work and community very long downward spiral that prescribed the antidepressant dosage (up or down). Extreme finding inThe British Medical Journal. keep you connected and centred. I would not wish on anyone. Remeron, his anxiety and agitation agitation is known as akathisia, an His meta-analysis reviewed data But it all comes down to self- went through the roof – clearly awareness and self-love. internal unrest or turmoil. on 90,000 patients from some As the effects of the pills an adverse reaction. However, his 700 clinical trials and found that slowly started to wear off, not psychiatrist didn’t see it as such In clinical trials for SSRIs, patients were twice as likely to attempt Patients were twice as and instead, encouraged him to the most commonly prescribed suicide on antidepressants as on sugar pills. only was I getting depressed stick with it, repeatedly increasing antidepressants, this reaction has likely to attempt suicide again, I started to get abnormal the dosages to the maximum. been recognized and documented Huh? Patients are put on on antidepressants as on thoughts. Then he prescribed a tranquilizer since the early ‘80s. Prozac’s own antidepressant drugs to lower to counter the agitation. After just clinical trials, both prior to and suicide risk, not double it! sugar pills. I started getting severely five weeks on the drug, Tooker’s after its launch in 1988, recorded paranoid, to the extent that agitation sent him over the railing rates of agitation and akathisia of Just how effective are We all need to support those I could not leave my house of Halifax’s MacDonald Bridge. between five and 25%. antidepressants in relieving in our life who are suffering, other than for work. I could symptoms of depression? especially during their crisis not handle being around my periods. Depression is cyclical. It Conservatively speaking then, Incredibly, there is little evidence own friends. When I started His anxiety and at least one (and as many as five) that antidepressant drugs actually comes and goes. When someone to get paranoid of the video agitation went through in 20 patients become agitated on produce benefits. (See Blowing is in the depth of despair, they games I was playing, I thought the roof – clearly an antidepressant drugs – a significant their cover) We know that they may not think rationally. They adverse reaction that doctors may help some people in the short need you to give them a reality that I had gone completely adverse reaction. should be informed and patients term, but over the long term, we check, to remind them that they’re insane. I felt that I no longer warned about, but they generally find a worsening of depression worthy of love and life. Get them knew who I was. He wrote in his suicide note are not. Agitation is a very potent or anxiety compared to placebo- beyond their valley of darkness, that he was anxious, felt like a predictor of suicide and treated patients. Too and when you’re going through Doctors should know that zombie and couldn’t think. violence. often, more severe your own dark night of the soul, suicidal thoughts are a side psychiatric someone will be there for you, to effect of these drugs. I could Let’s look at the facts symptoms are pull you back from the brink. not control who I was or what triggered by I was feeling. These feelings Three weeks after Tooker the drug It’s better to light a candle lasted for more than 6 months. passed away, the US Food and itself, such than curse the darkness. With Drug Administration (FDA) as drug- intelligence and integrity, and publicly associated antidepressant induced with the intention of patient safety I got through it though. I drugs with worsened depression manic or rather than profit motive, we can reassured myself that before and suicidal ideation. I was psychotic save lives. With compassion and I took these pills, I was dumbfounded and immediately attacks, skill – and a dose of generosity “normal”. It took me the immersed myself in this field, often – each of us can reach out to those better part of more than a reading everything I could. treated we love during their dark times. year to get back to my old self. with We must. We’re all connected, and But I did it, without meds. What I learned is that, more we’re all making a difference. typically, one in four patients drugs. Yellowknife, NWT (young man) feels worse when beginning any

Blowing their cover Emperor’s new drugs Association between Efficacy of antidepressants An analysis of antidepressant suicide attempts and SSRIs in adults Listening for prozac but Antidepressants using medication data Dr. Dean Fergusson et al Moncrieff and Kirsch hearing placebo active placebos Kirsch et al, 2002 Ottawa Health Research Institute British Medical Journal February 15, 2005 November 28, 2005 A meta-analysis of Cochrane Database Systematic This extensive report analyzes Review, 2001 antidepressant medication. the efficacy data submitted to his meta-analysis reviewed data Recent meta-analyses show SSRIs the US FDA for the six most T Kirsch and Sapirstein, 1998 on 90,000 patients from some have no clinically meaningful This review concludes widely prescribed antidepressants 700 clinical trials and found that advantage over placebo. A review of data submitted to that differences between approved between 1987 and antidepressants and active 1999. Approximately 80% of patients were twice as likely to the Food and Drug Administration attempt suicide on antidepressants Antidepressants have not been (FDA) suggests antidepressant placebos are small at best and the response to medication was convincingly shown to affect the duplicated in placebo control as on sugar pills. drugs are no more effective than the majority of trials reviewed long-term outcome of depression groups. If drug and placebo effects placebo. show no benefit of antidepressant or suicide rates. medication over placebo. are additive, the pharmacological effects of antidepressants are clinically negligible.

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 5 advertising Doctor, about that medicine I saw advertised

by Barbara Mintzes, Vancouver, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research testimonial at the University of British Columbia

am the father of a 16-year- “Has social anxiety put your life drugs differ from those sold people. This makes a lot of sense They didn’t say, “Pull those ads I on hold? Ask your doctor about without a doctor’s signature; they if you’re thinking about return immediately.” old girl who has been heavily PAXIL today, your life is waiting!” are generally more toxic, need on investment. It makes a lot less medicated on a variety of proclaims a full-page New York to be used with greater care or sense if you’re thinking about Canada’s federal government psychotropic drugs for the Times ad, with an anguished present potential risks not evident public health, especially if more frugally regulates advertising past five years. It all started young woman, eyes closed, head in research used for government and more people take potent with less than one staff position, with Paxil, an antidepressant, in hands, leaning against a wall market approval. The ban on drugs for things like a runny nose, and has since led to Zoloft, and presumably suffering from a public advertising is a protection shyness and baldness. Which is our priority, Seroquel, Ativan, Gabapentin condition the ad claims 10 million offered by prescription status. and the list goes on. Americans have – social anxiety Empowered and public health or disorder – what we used to call Ask your doctor informed? marketing? Our daughter had anxiety “shyness.” problems in the beginning, and Unlike other products, you One of the arguments for doubtlessly costing provincial Although this direct-to- can’t just go and buy these drugs allowing prescription drug governments a lot more in both my wife and I believe the consumer prescription-drug after seeing an ad. As the constant advertising is that it empowers unnecessary prescriptions. And no medications – especially the advertising is officially aimed refrain “Ask your doctor” suggests, consumers, giving them more one is tracking how many people antidepressant – sent her into only at the American public and you’ll need a prescription. choice and helping them to make end up in hospital or die from a psychotic, delusional and is illegal in Canada, Canadians an informed treatment decision. harmful effects of drugs they took suicidal state of mind. It’s been regularly see such ads via US But advertising isn’t neutral because an ad made the drug look a hellish four years. magazines and cable TV. Legal No diet drug advertiser information. It won’t provide full, miraculous. only in the US and New Zealand, tells you to go to the unbiased facts on the pros and There is good news, direct-to-consumer advertising gym instead of taking cons of all available treatment For example, Merck spent however; for the past two (DTCA) of prescription drugs is options, drug and non-drug. No more than US $500 million weeks my daughter has been illegal in all other industrialized the drug diet drug advertiser tells you to advertising the arthritis drug Vioxx off Zoloft and in a treatment countries, and the drug and go to the gym instead of taking (rofecoxib) from 1999 to 2004. In advertising industries have Industry says this protects us from the drug because exercise is more four of those five years, scientific centre, although I know it will been lobbying hard throughout misleading advertising because the likely to lead to sustained weight evidence emerged showing the be a long while before she has Europe, Australia and Canada doctor makes the final decision. loss. drug could cause extra heart fully recovered. to make it legal. CanWest, the US surveys paint a different attacks and strokes. The drug was media conglomerate that owns picture, showing Americans who In addition, violations of no more effective than a dozen London, ON (middle-aged man) many newspapers including the asked for a prescription got it US advertising regulations are older, cheaper arthritis drugs. The National Post, has just started a four out of five times, and about a common, with the Food and ads, featuring celebrity skater Charter Challenge, claiming quarter will go to another doctor if Drug Administration issuing over Dorothy Hamill, told a different that the prohibition of DTCA in the first won’t prescribe a medicine 90 warning letters to companies story. Canada unjustly limits freedom they want. Doctors often feel about misleading ads. The most of expression, and puts them at a pressured and prescribe medicines common violations: inadequate The current debate on direct-to- SSRIs and competitive disadvantage to US to please their patients, whether or risk information and exaggerated consumer advertising has centred media. not a prescription is really needed. benefits. not on the public’s right to know but on the company’s right to sex Why not allow prescription Newer: not necessarily There are serious problems in advertise. The real question should drug advertising to consumers? better Canada, too. US ads are streaming be: which is our priority, public SSRI antidepressants very often Two main reasons are reflected across the border and government health or marketing? Whether have a negative impact on sexual in the laws prohibiting it. The In the US, $4.1 billion dollars is doing little to enforce the law. the ads are for sadness, baldness, desire, arousal, and orgasm in first is to not take advantage of was spent on prescription drug More and more companies are Alzheimer’s or AIDS, the message both men and women. Research sick people’s vulnerability (no advertising last year, and around running ads that skirt the limits is the same: you can just pop a pill. indicates that they cause sexual one chooses to need a medicine). 40% of this was on just 10 of the law, and beyond. They’ve Reality is a little different. Canada’s Food & Drugs Act prohibits products. These are mainly new, had no fines, no sanctions. public advertising of treatments expensive drugs for long-term During one recent, massive ad They cause sexual or prevention for a list of serious use by a wide target audience; campaign, government only said, problems in 30-70% of diseases. The second: prescription in other words, fairly healthy “This is illegal. Don’t do it again.” people taking them. problems in 30-70% of people Drugs on trial taking them. These effects appear to be especially severe in women from FreeMarketNews.com who take an SSRI while using some hormonal contraceptives. A story in Fortune magazine But within another couple of details the case of Tim “Woody” weeks – about five weeks after What is particularly worrying is Witczak, whose wife Kimberly is his first dose – he hanged himself that the adverse effects may not claiming her husband’s suicide two from the rafters in their garage end when a woman stops taking years ago was directly caused by when Kim was out of town, the drug. The effects appear to the SSRI Zoloft. leaving no suicide note. take a long time to wear off and may have a long-term impact on Kim is suing Pfizer, maker of the sexual functioning. Kim is suing Pfizer drug, alleging that Zoloft induced on two of these antidepressants A case in which a man drowned alleging that Zoloft the suicide and that the company Because SSRI use can lead to at maximum dosage. They had himself and two children was failed to warn about the drug’s a worsening of depression, induced the suicide. adjusted her medication two days settled in January by the Paxil potential to cause perilous side emotional blunting or detachment, before this happened, and this company. As the story outlines, Mr. effects. Pfizer is of course denying reduced emotional activity, adjustment alone was enough to Witczak had very little reason to any responsibility for the death, memory loss and confusion, these cause what happened in this fam- I was an expert witness in the take his own life: “Shortly before or any connection between it and effects, in conjunction with sexual ily (she drowned her 5 children). Phil Hartman case which was his death he had been named vice their medications. dysfunction, can negatively affect again settled by the drug com- president of sales at a startup that intimate relationships. Del Shannon, the singer from pany. sold energy-efficient lighting.” the 60s, committed suicide after But when “anxiety about the new being on Prozac for three weeks. The Columbine case, which job” caused insomnia, he was Dr. Ann Blake Tracy is ongoing, resulted in the drug prescribed Zoloft. After a couple I’ve testified in court cases in- Joseph Wesbecker went on a company pulling Luvox from the of weeks on the medication, he shooting rampage in Kentucky American market. reportedly began suffering from volving these drugs for the last ten years. Every one of these cases and killing eight people in total (one “nightmares, profound agitation, month after beginning Prozac). Eric Harris was on Luvox when and eerie sensory experiences.” many more were induced by one of these antidepressants and they he went psychotic and went on a have all been taken to court. In the Donald Shell case, a jury shooting spree. According to his wife, at one ruled that two Paxil pills resulted point he said he felt as if his head in the shooting of his wife, daugh- were detached from his body, only I was one of the consultants on the Andrea Yates case. Andrea was ter, baby granddaughter and then to calm down shortly thereafter. himself.

6 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 selling sickness Placebos are the real thing Extracted from Big Pharma, by Jacky Law testimonial You can get away with a lot in to become more engaged in the Our minds and bodies respond the medicines business, but there world, for panic attacks, irritable to what we are told the drug will Our minds and bodies is one basic requirement – a drug bowels, incontinence, shyness do. GlaxoSmithKline’s Zyban for I was suffering severe pain should do you some good. – virtually anything that has some giving up smoking, for example, is respond to what from a back injury. A GP kind of anxiety at its root. a long-acting form of Wellbutrin, we are told the prescribed an antidepressant, The placebo effect shows what prescribed for depression. And Surmontil, to help with the mind and body are capable of The active ingredient can be the the antidepressant Zispin is also drug will do. the pain. It didn’t help the achieving in the absence of real same, but its effect will depend marketed for sleeping disorders, pain, but ironically, gave me on what the label says, what the one of the top symptoms used in drugs but with the expectation of Such drugs are a triumph deep depression. My doctor benefit. doctor says, and what we believe. diagnosing depression. of branding. Packages of increased the dosage of the symptoms that might otherwise antidepressant. I solved the Patients inherently be interpreted as fairly normal pain issue quite independently, possess vast amounts in our attention-deficit world but not before needing become new diseases and new stomach surgery from the of untapped opportunities for medication. damage caused by many healing power. How the placebo works is the months of pain and anti- subject of endless discussion. arthritic medications. The placebo, despite containing American medical writer Berton no active ingredient, often proves Rouché, in a 1960s article in the Years later the depression, a surprisingly strong contender. New Yorker, said the placebo accompanied by severe Its performance in one clinical derives its power from the “infinite cognitive and memory trial after another shows patients capacity of the human mind for loss, was quite severe. This inherently possess vast amounts self-deception.” Others believe the in company with other of untapped healing power. placebo is powerful not because life circumstances led to They want to be well so much, it tricks the mind but because it their bodies respond to the mere hospitalisation and more translates the will to live into a psychiatric medications. expectation that they will be. physical reality. The fact that a placebo will have no physiological And so it went for a These hopes are easily exploited effect if the patient knows it is a by pharmaceutical companies. few more years, with ups placebo only confirms something and downs as the meds Where some antidepressant drugs about the capacity of the human were changed, but mostly are concerned, the label can say body to transform hope into almost whatever you want it to tangible and essential biochemical downs, until I was disabled say. It could be for painful periods, change. from working, and still am. for depression, to stop smoking, Life became a total hell of depression, mania, anxiety, massive distortions of reality, along with agony from the Selling Sickness serotonin overload, also called serotonin syndrome. How the world’s biggest pharmaceutical Throughout I battled the idea of suicide to end the torment, companies are turning us all into patients especially on Paxil, which created suicidal compulsion. by Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels I knew the medications were all wrong, but had not the cognitive ability to know what Daily media articles say that drug companies are working to dollars in new profits, in turn to do. the Canadian public health widen the very boundaries that threatening to bankrupt health system is in jeopardy, and fingers define illness. Mild problems care systems all over the world. around the world where disease After a few more years, I are pointed at everything from are painted as serious disease, Canada’s publicly funded health definitions are debated and refused all psych meds, and doctor shortages to government so shyness becomes a sign of care system is not immune. updated. started my recovery. But some mismanagement and bureaucratic “social anxiety disorder” and problems persisted. I now greed. But Ray Moynihan and “From their domination of Added to this is the fact that had to deal with a movement Alan Cassels, authors of the new guideline committees, their most clinical trials are funded book, Selling Sickness: How the world’s Expanding the involvement in physician directly by the drug manufactures disorder called tardive biggest pharmaceutical companies are boundaries of ‘education’ and their marketing rather than public or not – for dyskinesia from the Zyprexa. turning us all into patients, point the of fear to consumers, the – profit sources. This research I also had sugar and digestion finger at another cause: drug- illness and lowering pharmaceutical industry is using is disseminated at scientific problems, also from Zyprexa, company-funded disease creation. the threshold for its immense power to drive more meetings, events and conferences that now have mushroomed and more of us towards another sponsored by the pharmaceutical into a severe pancreatic issue, Using their dominating influence treatments is creating prescription,” warns Alan Cassels. industry, and often hosted by which has me almost totally in the world of medical science, millions of new And, he notes, “a health system medical societies or patient groups incapacitated. that allows drug companies to play that are themselves partially patients and billions of a role in defining who is sick is underwritten by drug companies. It’s become crystal clear to dollars in new profits. fundamentally unhealthy.” “The reach and the scale of the me that our doctors are not industry’s influence is really quite able to understand the effects Our health care system breathtaking in its scope,” notes these medications actually pre-menstrual stress a “mental Cassels. illness” redefined as “pre-menstrual will collapse if we have on patients, and are highly dysphoric disorder”. Everyday Soaring sales have made drug unresponsive to reports of sexual difficulties are seen as sexual continue to allow for- companies the most profitable even well-documented adverse dysfunctions, the natural change profit enterprises to corporations on the planet during effects. of life is a hormone deficiency this past decade. But the flip side called menopause, and distracted define who is sick and of healthy returns for shareholders Rural Saskatchewan (middle- office workers now have adult who needs treatment. is the unsustainable increase in aged man) ADD. Just being “at risk” by costs for those funding the health having an elevated blood pressure system. enterprises to define who is sick or cholesterol level has become a As the authors of Selling Sickness and who needs treatment,” says “disease” in its own right. detail, pharmaceutical company Selling Sickness tells us that we Cassels. “Now is the time to start marketing executives don’t actually need the pendulum to swing having the conversation about Selling Sickness reveals how write the rules to diagnose illness, back towards a rational and whether we want to continue to expanding the boundaries of but they increasingly underwrite appropriate use of pharmaceuticals allow pharmaceutical greed, not illness and lowering the threshold those who do. The industry for everyone who is sick. “Our appropriate need, to be driving for treatments is creating millions now routinely sponsors key health care system will collapse our health care expenditures.” of new patients and billions of medical meetings in Canada and if we continue to allow for-profit

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 7 Psychiatry Heretic of the psychiatric gospel An interview with Dr. Paula Caplan

By Pierre Loiselle, Fredricton, NB

The Diagnostic and Statistical there’s a kind of simultaneous more territory for them. I resigned on – and then we say, “Oh look, testimonial Manual of Mental Disorders creep of the DSM’s and the in horror, saying the process he’s depressed, she’s anxious.” We (DSM) is the psychiatric bible, the drug companies’ influence into should be called “Diagnosisgate.” diagnose you as having Major countries all over the world. It’s Depressive Disorder, and her hinking – that is the key. most widely used sourcebook for T the globalization of psychiatric Look what they do with the as having Generalized Anxiety psychiatrists across the world. If When your brain is on diagnosis and of the psychiatrizing research: if the relevant science Disorder, and so on. This grand psychoactive drugs, you really you were ever given a psychiatric of everything. suits their purposes, then they will political scale is very powerful in cannot think clearly. Your brain label, the DSM was likely the talk about it. If it doesn’t, they will pushing us to ignore major social is disabled. You cannot see or source. ignore it, distort it or lie about it. problems. Instead we say, “These analyze what is going on, you Any label perpetuates persons have psychiatric illnesses.” cannot think to get out and try Dr. Paula J. Caplan has written the notion that the PL: Why are psychiatric labels We medicalize them. alternatives. I certainly could several books, including They Say dangerous? not. I was in a daze. You’re Crazy: How Psychiatrists problem comes from Decide Who’s Normal, detailing PC: They have terrifying political It’s the psychiatrizing within you. power. There are so many ways When they first locked me her involvement with the DSM of everything. in which people’s lives can up, they destroyed my life. authors as a consultant for the You’ve got entire mental health be destroyed, and have been fourth edition. We spoke about I lost my job, my volunteer systems and entire countries destroyed, just because of getting There are things in the DSM position, and I lost people’s the DSM and the politics of operating on the assumption that a psychiatric diagnosis. You can’t that are by no stretch of the respect. psychiatric labels. we’re dealing here with science put somebody on psychiatric imagination mental disorders, – that we’re dealing with therapists medication unless you’ve given such as stuttering, Math Disability, I wanted so desperately for Pierre Loiselle: The American who are “objectively” diagnosing them a psychiatric diagnosis. You Nicotine Dependence and someone to care, to “help” Psychiatric Association is the people. Meanwhile, the drug can’t prescribe electroshock unless Caffeine-induced Sleep Disorder. me out. This was not “mental publisher of the DSM. Explain the companies are making billions and you’ve given them a diagnosis. You illness” but inability to cope scope of the influence and wealth billions of dollars and gigantic can’t have them committed against Then there are other categories generated by this book. with life. I did not know how profit margins. their will unless you’ve given them that are non-pathological a psychiatric diagnosis. to deal with the problems reactions to painful parts of life Paula Caplan: Well, it’s in the PL: The DSM authors claim that but we treat them as psychiatric I was presented with. I also millions. When the DSM-III came their book is a scientific tome, but Getting just about any problems instead. For example, if craved love. I don’t know how out in 1987, it had been translated how do diagnoses get in there? diagnostic label perpetuates the you lose somebody close to you many times us inmates would into at least 17 different languages notion that the problem comes and are still grieving two months be so happy and so grateful and was being sold in many PC: It was only when I was on from within you. It masks all latter, you have Major Depressive that someone had actually countries. You’re now hearing two of the committees to write sorts of social and economic Disorder according to the DSM. smiled at us, or was nice to us, about many children in China DSM-IV that I saw that it could problems that need to be looked There is no such thing as normal or actually talked to us. being diagnosed with Attention not be further from scientific. at if we’re going to reduce a lot feelings and normal reactions Deficit Disorder (ADD). Nobody Almost anything that gets of people’s pain – like violence, anymore. It wasn’t until an incident in China ever knew ADD existed proposed as a new category gets in poverty, homophobia, racism, before. What’s happening is that that traumatized me deeply because it means more money and ageism, sexism, ableism and so woke me up, that I started to question, even in the fogginess of medications, what was going on. I read everything I Defining mental disorders could get my hands on. I took myself off meds. I fired the By Craig Hubley, rural Nova Scotia “professionals.”

My mind began to clear Today’s psychiatrists universally opportunity to set an agenda to Or computer or video game united front of what new disorders up, my memory started to use a “Diagnostic and Statistical influence the DSM-V, just as gay addiction a particularly dangerous are named, and which natural improve. I could think, I could Manual of Mental Disorders” to activists removed sexual status form of DIS (Disembodied and normal behaviours must be decide who is suffering from what from DSM-IV. removed. concentrate, I could feel, I Identification of Self)? mental “illness” or “syndrome”. In could stay awake, I could several incarnations of this manual What could activists do by Suggestions from non- function again. The withdrawal it has become very obvious that unifying on this agenda? They What about the Golden psychiatrists are accepted as was hell, but well worth it. I’m these concepts are highly political could classify unsustainable, Rule (do unto others)? formal input to the DSM-V myself again, which I haven’t and that definitions are based inequitable activities that cannot process. You can do this simply by felt in close to a decade. more on the cultural and social continue on a peaceful planet as a Can those who ignore registering at www.dsm5.org/register. trends of the time than on science. disorder – UIAD (Unsustainable it safely be called sane? cfm I sit here, in fear, wanting to Inequitable Activities Disorder). mourn what I lost, but cannot Most infamously, the DSM- Perhaps they could define over- We have every right to demand out of fear of being thrown III classified homosexuality as a consumption as a combined What about the Golden Rule that the next version of this away into a cell, meaning I’m ill, disorder but the DSM-IV (the addiction/delusion, the delusion (do unto others)? Can those who manual respect the traditional current 1994 edition) does not. being that it can continue and adaptive ways that we meaning I’m crazy, meaning I’m ignore it safely be called sane? without disaster – OCAD ecologists, humanists and global not human. The DMS-V will be published (Over-Consumption Addiction Activists are exploring the thinkers view the world. When in 2011. Activists who reject Delusion). possibilities to undo the bias questioning the definition of So I’m writing here the current political agenda of psychiatry. Using www. sanity, the more of us that do, the instead. Stiff upper lip. Angry of biopsychiatrists and drug Isn’t craving for speed a neurosis embodimentwiki.org and www.yoism.org, merrier. indignation instead of tears. companies have a clear – HSN (High Speed Neurosis)? activists hope to create a strong

Vancouver, BC (middle-aged woman)

8 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 Activism Letter to an activist By Tooker Gomberg

others years, and others never get I pushed my brain too hard, and worthwhile, and there’s nothing to out of it. overstressed it with the run for look forward to. Mayor of Toronto, or the passport But I am writing to you about burning, or 20 years of pushing It’s honourable to work to activism, not the frightening against the juggernaut. And change the world, but do it in testimonial impacts of depression. maybe September 11 firmed up balance with other things. Explore my worries into a real fear that and embrace the things you love Amory Lovins, the great energy working for change was really to do and you’ll be energetic and Over the course of eight efficiency guru, once called me dangerous. enthusiastic about the activism. years, I watched my psychiatrist a Hyper-Activist. I guess that’s Don’t drop hobbies or enjoyments. watch me wither away. One what I was. I lived, breathed, and Be sure to hike and dance and I neglected my heart, drug after another. “If that focussed on activism. It kept me sing. Keeping your spirit alive and doesn’t work, try this one!” At thinking, inspired, interested, and healthy is fundamental if you are Now that I’m in crisis, the end, I became completely Tooker wrote this as an exercise for his alive. to keep going. therapist on Earth Day, 2002. At the time I don’t really have the unwound. My skull was about to crack. Either the pills had to he was suffering from severe depression. But it also allowed me to language to connect I never really understood ignore other things in life that what burnout was. I knew that go, or I would. Tooker spent his entire adult life doing now, suddenly, I realize I never with people. it affected active people, but inspiring and successful work for a developed. This makes me sad and somehow I thought I was immune I tossed the pills. Tossing greener, healthier world. In 2001, in his despondent. to it. After all, I took breaks every them all at once involved more own words, he “hit a wall.” For the first Or it could be a physiological now and then and went travelling. torture, but I was desperate. time in his life, he battled burnout. – A.B. I used to enjoy cooking, but response to too much coffee, And all my work was done in stopped. I always liked kids, but stress, and smog. Maybe I’ve partnership with Ange, the great I look back after eight years never really thought about having burned out my adrenal glands. love of my life. of illness, three psychiatrists, ear Activist: kids of our own. Changing the Maybe my brain is poisoned from D and 22,000 pills. They have world was more important, and so much thinking about tragic It’s another strange day for me. having a kid would interfere with ecological issues, pondering bad Be sure to hike and brought me nightmare after Things have been strange for eight our life’s work of changing the air and getting frustrated at the dance and sing. nightmare until this final months or more. I used to be an world. slow rate of improvement and humiliation. I have been activist. Now I don’t know what I the rapid destruction of the living Keeping your spirit reduced to a state where I am. Did you ever read the Kafka I didn’t develop my mind in a world. Could my brain have been alive and healthy is am not willing to believe in story about the guy who wakes up broad way, learning about music damaged when I was close to anything or anybody. and has turned into a cockroach? and art and theatre and poetry, dying with heat stroke in Vietnam fundamental. for example. It was focussed on in 1998? I sit here in the night, My mind is in a fog – I changing the world. I never really But in the end, when burnout trembling and shaking, a thought about a career – I was I should have developed a finally caught up to me, it was tremendous pressure in my am moving very slowly. living my life, not worrying about deeper kinship with my family mega, and must have been the chest, crying out in chemical Today is Earth Day, but the trappings and credentials of and with people. Don’t get me accumulation of decades of stress the boring, status quo world. wrong – I had lots of friends and avoidance. And now I find anxiety, teeth clenched, for I I feel I’m on another and acquaintances in the activist myself in a dark and confusing have thrown away the poisons Maybe I was living in a bubble world. But they were not deep labyrinth trying to feel my way that brought me here. planet. of naiveté, doing my own thing, friends of the heart. I neglected back to sanity and calm. unconcerned that my perspectives my heart and how I was feeling “Do no harm.” So much for My mind is in a fog – I can’t and actions were so different from about things, about people, about So beware. Take this warning the Hippocratic Oath. Today I think very clearly. Making a “normal.” I never wanted to be situations. Now that I’m in crisis, seriously. If you start slipping am drug-free. I don’t even have sandwich takes a long time – I normal, anyway. Normal got us I don’t really have the language to into the hole of depression a Tums for my tummy. Along have to concentrate on every step into the mess we’re in. connect with people. The silence and you notice yourself losing the way, I made a remarkable along the way, and I am moving is easier than trying to explain enthusiasm and becoming deeply discovery: Health does not very slowly and deliberately. I feel So now I find myself, with what I’m going through, or to disenchanted, take a break and come in a pill. I eat an apple like I am stunned, and spaced out my sliver of self smashed to relate to other people’s issues or talk with a friend about it. Don’t most of the time. Today is Earth smithereens after being assaulted problems. ignore it. The world needs all the a day and I stay away from Day, but I feel I’m on another by police in Quebec City, a concerned people it can get. If doctors. planet. security guard in City Hall, and So what advice can I offer? you can stay in the struggle for various other security guards Stay rounded. Do the activism, the long haul you can make a real Rocky Mountain House, AB It feels like my mind has melted during the mayoralty race. And but don’t overdo it. If you burn positive contribution, and live to (middle-aged man) down, though I am told that it numerous arrests. out, or tumble into depression, witness the next victory! comes back once the depression you’ll become no good to anyone, lifts. Whenever that is. For some Or maybe it was the tear gas, especially yourself. When you’re people it seems to be months, for and last summer’s smog. Maybe in this state, nothing seems

Serotonin deficiency debunked

From Journal PloS Medicine, Nov. 2005

How regularly do you hear Despite the US FDA’s University someone say, “I’ve got a chemical responsibility for regulating College, London imbalance” or “This SSRI balances consumer advertisements and said: “It is my serotonin?” requirement that they be based high time that on scientific evidence, the it was stated These claims are just not mismatch between the scientific clearly that supported by scientific evidence, literature and SSRI advertisements the serotonin found researchers published in the is “remarkable, and possibly imbalance theory Journal of Public Library of Science. unparalleled,” say the authors. of depression is There’s absolutely no evidence of not supported chemical imbalance in a depressed by the scientific or anxious person’s brain. There’s absolutely no evidence or by expert opinion. Researchers Lacasse and evidence of chemical Through Leo studied US consumer imbalance in a misleading advertisements for SSRIs from depressed or anxious publicity the from claiming in their patient print, television and the Internet. pharmaceutical industry has information leaflets that Paxil They found widespread claims person’s brain. helped to ensure that most of the corrects a chemical imbalance, that SSRIs restore the serotonin general public is unaware of this.” neither the FDA n or Health balance of the brain. “Yet there is Canada has ever taken similar no such thing as a scientifically Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, Senior While the Irish Medicines Board action. established correct ‘balance’ of Lecturer in Psychiatry at recently banned GlaxoSmithKline serotonin,” they observed.

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 9 alternatives

How I dealt with grief and depression Angela Bischoff Are there alternatives to drugs?

The police greeted me at By Miriam Hawkins and Angela Bischoff, Toronto the door with the news of my husband’s suicide. The pain is still palpable two years later. ealth is not merely Sugar and antibiotics have The grief takes over in waves. H Talk therapy the absence of disease caused an epidemic of yeast- related illnesses, including In touching his death, I Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” but a state of well-being has proven an effective alternative depression, since their massive welcomed my own. Thankfully in which the mind, body to drugs and teaches life-long increase in use after WWII. I made it through those darks The 1/3 pound of sugar North and spirit are balanced. coping skills. Patients treated days, and am motivated to live with psychotherapy have fewer Americans now eat on average and contribute once again. I every day feeds unhealthy colonies There’s much we can do without relapses than those treated with chose to do it without drugs. antidepressants. Find a therapist of gastrointestinal Candida yeast drugs to treat depression and that release over 250 known toxic anxiety, especially of the moderate you respect, and who respects you I relied on one girlfriend metabolic byproducts and gases sort, where it all starts. There’s no into our bodies and brains. All who called me every other day quick fix, but we can use a variety these toxins and gases can be for the first 6 months, to help of effective alternate approaches Exercise depressing (and painful), creating me process my feelings and to build sound mental health, pressure on blood vessels and experiences. She was loving, approaches that cause no harmful Our bodies are designed to poisoning nerves. skilled, patient and generous. side effects and are more likely move. Evidence shows regular I also had weekly visits with a to get at the root cause of the physical activity is the best long- Making things worse, antibiotics very compassionate therapist depression or anxiety term treatment for depression we’ve taken disrupt our healthy that taught me coping skills. and anxiety. Movement is how digestive bacteria that would our bodies circulate lymph to normally help suppress Candida carry away toxins. It focuses and overgrowth, and many of us I openly grieved. I read Community calms the mind, burns fat and books on spirituality and life need to re-populate our systems excess energy, aids digestion with healthy pro-biota, found after death, getting the most Human interactions and and circulation, tones muscles, in mother’s milk, natural yogurt, comfort from learning about relationships are at the core of good mental health care. At times strengthens bone, improves heart kefir, unpasteurized sauerkraut near-death experiences. I we need to talk, cry, find ways to and lung function, gets endorphins and pickles as well as in capsules. immersed myself back into laugh and play, or ask friends and flowing and, best of all, makes you Candida yeast thrive in estrogen- work six weeks later. family for encouragement. We’re feel good. rich environments caused by all vulnerable, and we all need hormone replacement therapy, I took immaculate care of support at different times. Reach birth control pills and excess my body, instinctively giving up out. Be generous. Diet alcohol (stored as estrogen by all drugs such as sugar, alcohol, the body). Garlic and onions kill caffeine, and processed foods. Changes in diet over the past yeast very effectively: a regimen of I cooked my own organic, 50 years are an important factor fasting from sugar and processed Meaningful work foods (and alcohol), combined whole food and drank several in the rise in mental illness. The UK Mental Health Foundation with generous daily use of dietary pots of herbal tea daily. I Doing something you believe garlic or deodorized garlic in can give meaning to everyday cites scientific studies clearly journalled. I exercised daily linking Attention Deficit Disorder, supplements, can work miracles in (cycling to work and yoga life. Working to change social, a matter of days. economic or other injustice, from depression, Alzheimer’s disease practice). and schizophrenia to junk food expensive daycare to workplace Our body responds to sugar by racism to saving trees, can give life and the absence of essential I learned about the spiking our insulin and crashing purpose and passion. Getting paid fats, vitamins and minerals in connection between industrialized diets. our blood sugar to below its is important, but volunteer work original level before the sugar antidepressant drugs and also reaps enormous reward. suicide, and used all my activist skills to share the information. By transforming my pain into knowledge that might help others avoid a similar tragedy, I found meaning in Tooker’s death.

Non-drug treatments in long run

After nearly 20 years of research, the world’s experts on efficacy behavioural therapy), talk therapy Dr. David Antonuccio, clinical studies that compare drug to non- and even exercise are as effective psychologist and professor in the drug treatments for depression. in the short run, and possibly department of psychiatry at the His research shows that non-drug more effective in the long run, University of Nevada, is among treatments such as CBT (cognitive than drugs.

10 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 alternatives

Mental health tips

Get at least ten minutes of sunshine or daylight a day, year-round, for vitamin D and melatonin balance. Exercise daily. Go to bed early. Remove stimulants and chemicals from your diet (sugar, caffeine, nicotine, adrenaline- heavy meat, junk food, artificial hormones, painkillers). Alcohol is dangerous because it’s a Are there alternatives to drugs? depressant that damages neurotransmitters. By Miriam Hawkins and Angela Bischoff, Toronto Eat nutritious organic foods to recharge cells. Raw foods provide top nutrients and was consumed. The sugar gives American diet dominated by Stressful, toxic environments Balance enzymes for digestion. Juicing us energy briefly but then we’re acid-forming foods (non-fruits and and poor diets create an rebuilds the body quickly. exhausted, literally (“sugar blues”). veggies). With all that freed-up increasingly greater demand Always make time for fun, Lemon quickly balances acidity Our routine spiking of blood metabolic energy, you feel less for essential nutrients to restore friends, art, reading, dance, to alkaline. Sea vegetables in insulin has caused a tenfold tired and can cope better. You can and replenish overworked and music, meditation, prayer, nature, soups and salads give brain-vital increase in the incidence of once- do more and eat less. damaged organ systems. The journaling, yoga, sport – whatever vitamin B12 and trace minerals. rare type-2 or adult-onset diabetes nervous system is especially it is that brings you peace and joy. Fibre and fasting support brain- in all ages. Grains, seeds, legumes and dependent on the B vitamins. These will strengthen your spirit clearing detoxification and nuts are nutritional powerhouses, Stress, caffeine, sugar, cigarettes, and give your life balance and elimination. Six to 12 nuts (such Sugar has another secret supplying proteins, fatty acids and drugs and alcohol destroy B- resiliency. Remaining engaged, as almonds) level blood sugar. weapon to make us sick. The B vitamins crucial to the nervous complex and C vitamins. A high- whether in solo activity or bacteria that it feeds in our mouths system. Many foods have unique dose, natural-source B-complex Chamomile and mint tea sooth community, is fundamental for and calm. are a constant and insidious source properties needed by the brain: supplement should provide sound mental health. of dangerous bacteria, entering oatmeal, a rare but essential amino noticeable relief, but the coffee, the gastrointestinal tract via the acid; apples, the trace mineral tea or other chronic source of Take a good vitamin-mineral throat, and the bloodstream via boron; herbs and spices, aromatic depletion has to be cut back. Eat supplement. Like stimulant “street” drugs, SSRIs push fillings and gums. Oral bacteria oils that help protect brain cells. C-rich fruits, cabbage, greens, There are many other systems the body to perform beyond entering the blood near the brain Eating a variety ensures you peppers to protect cellular walls. worth trying that have helped cause agitation; an untreated cover the bases. Learn to cook for countless people suffering with capacity, drastically lowering its cavity (beware old silver fillings yourself as healthily as you can. The brain and nervous system depression – clinical nutritional ability to metabolize nutrients leaching poisonous mercury) or are high in fat as well as protein, therapy or orthomolecular and slowly depleting it of abscess, worse. Use table (sea) and should stay that way for medicine, naturopathy, vitamins and minerals vital for salt as a toothpaste or hot gargle Brain nutrients optimal health with essential fatty acupuncture, massage, laughter health. at least once a day, it kills oral and amino acids from seeds, nuts, therapy, therapeutic touch. But bacteria. Researchers have noted the whole grains, legumes, avocados, in the end, it all comes down to Studies show that zinc mental, physical and emotional olives, greens and even berries, as self awareness. Notice what the supplementation improves Many people have hidden effects of stress and adrenal well as organic eggs and cheese. therapy is doing for you and to memory, thinking and I.Q. Super allergies, especially to milk, “burnout.” Many individuals suffer Essential fatty acids omega-3 you. Are the side effects worth it? green drinks like Greens Plus, wheat and corn. Try switching greatly from depleted hormonal and omega-6 (rich in hemp, flax Are you feeling better or worse? Barley Plus, blue green algae to alternatives, or get tested. and fish oils) can improve the and nutritional reserves, artificially or spirulina provide important Sometimes what you crave is what stimulating the nervous system behaviour of rowdy kids and help The road to recovery may be you’re allergic to. language skills, English researchers trace minerals. Calcium and and destroying vitamins with short for some, or a life-long magnesium are very calming. caffeine, sugar and medications have found. Many toxins are fat- process for others. A variety Eat like your body is a temple soluble and healthy dietary fats until they rollercoaster into of therapeutic approaches are Omega-3 oils like flaxseed and of the spirit. Eat more organic, systemic breakdown, manifesting help to flush them. often required to provide a raw, low on the food chain and hemp oil are incredible for brain in a myriad of symptoms. comprehensive route to recovery. function. National Institutes as unprocessed as possible: more The process of healing is of Health have documented fruits and veggies and less refined Medications act strongly Societal changes individual. foods. Turns out, when fruits and on hormone systems and can benefits of Omega-3 oils for veggies comprise the majority of easily damage delicate glands Societal change may be beyond But don’t walk this journey seizures, schizophrenia, mania, our diet, they create an optimal, and organs. In many cases of our capacity as individuals, but alone. Confide in someone every depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, energetic blood acid-alkaline depression, diagnoses miss people can – and do – work step of the way to be sure you ADD and PMS. balance. Research shows this is both systemic deficiencies and together to create social change. don’t fall off the rails. Remember the right biochemical state for increasingly common thyroid Depression may be a normal – it’s all about growth. Embrace it. Antioxidants like pycnogenol, our cells to create 16 times more conditions (brought on by reaction to a life without adequate You’re worth it! grape seed extract, CoQ10 or net energy from each calorie stress, lifestyle, medications, support: reach out for help. Gingko biloba protect brain cells. than when we eat a typical North pollution, etc.). Gingko’s natural antidepressant and memory boosting effects are supported by over 40 double-blind studies showing it increases circulation to the brain with virtually no side effects. Essential Oils (aromatherapy) directly benefit the limbic system through the sinus. Many are helpful such as lavender, clary sage, mint, bergamot, Non-drug treatments in long run frankincense and sandalwood. Orange or citrus oils can After nearly 20 years of research, the world’s experts on efficacy behavioural therapy), talk therapy actually change brainwaves to Dr. David Antonuccio, clinical studies that compare drug to non- and even exercise are as effective calm one down. psychologist and professor in the drug treatments for depression. in the short run, and possibly department of psychiatry at the His research shows that non-drug more effective in the long run, Cranial massage reduces University of Nevada, is among treatments such as CBT (cognitive than drugs. swelling, a common problem with psychiatric drugs. Acupuncture aids withdrawal from any drug.

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 11 water Drugs in our water By Sharon Batt, Halifax, from Women and Health Protection

Every so often, headlines sewage system and on to a water chemicals are still new, baseline about “drugs in the water” alert treatment plant not designed to levels are still being determined. the public to an unsettling remove them. Unused drugs get fact: our lakes, rivers, streams flushed down the toilet or sink and groundwater contain trace (mothers have been told to do If my prescription drug amounts of pharmaceutical drugs this for the safety of children). that can enter our drinking water. Hospitals and nursing homes can end up in your testimonial The growing list includes plenty dispose of vast quantities of morning coffee, every one would rather not down in pharmaceuticals, untouched when a glass of water on a hot day: residents change or discontinue home medicine cabinet I had been struggling with My GP kept me on Effexor, antibiotics, painkillers, hormones, medications, or die. Drugs taken is a public concern. moderate but persistent but replaced Trazodone with tranquillizers, drugs to treat high in life’s home stretch likely depression for about 18 months Risperidal. After showing little blood cholesterol, epilepsy and contaminate posthumously, and after some reluctance, finally sign of improvement, I was cancer, musk fragrances, and leaching from cemeteries into If my prescription drug can agreed to my family doctor’s admitted to hospital on Day 29. phthalates, a family of chemicals groundwater. Farmers give end up in your morning coffee, recommendation that I begin found in cosmetics, perfumes and veterinary drugs to their animals, every home medicine cabinet is medical treatment. I started In the safety of the hospital hair products. including large amounts of a public concern. Fortunately, Effexor. Over the first two weeks (where I received excellent antibiotics. Drug-contaminated plenty can be done to limit of treatment I became restless care from the nurses and staff), sewage sludge is sold as farm consumption. Some examples: fertilizer. curtail ads that promote drug use and anxious. Although I have the doctors experimented Fifty to 90% of the with many drugs. The mood to consumers, restrict physician always been a sound sleeper, active ingredients The resulting “chemical soup” drug samples, reduce drug doses, I suddenly had trouble getting stabilizers Lithium and Lamotrigine were added to my of a medication are with concentrations as little as one develop smaller package sizes, to sleep and staying asleep. I part per trillion causes chronic explore non-toxic alternative regimen, as was a little blue uncharacteristically lay awake at excreted (through exposure to multiple bioactive treatments, and recycle, rather sleeping pill. I was released night certain that I would fail my body fluids) and enter substances that may well harm than dispose of, some unused upcoming final exams (in spite from the Hospital on Day 37 human health, even at low levels. drugs. of a high average in all of my and gradually recovered over the sewage system. Drugs are designed to have effects classes). the next several months. in small quantities; they are not One Ontario survey estimates meant to be mixed, willy-nilly. that the province wastes over I’ve since learned that my My doctor prescribed We don’t yet know how these $40 million in medications each experience of being put on a second antidepressant chemicals may affect human Researchers are discovering year. Eliminating inappropriate several drugs to mitigate the (Trazodone) to help me sleep. health but the animal previews “windows of vulnerability,” drug use, overuse and abuse will negative effects of the original include reproductive and brain- when developing embryos are improve health, save money and My sleep improved slightly, but drug is not out of the ordinary. function disorders. exquisitely sensitive to even help protect the environment. I remained agitated. My GP told minute amounts of chemicals. We can all tape that message to me that for some people things On Day 440, I stopped To its credit, the federal Since environmental tests for these the medicine cabinet mirror. get worse before they get better, taking Effexor, having gradually government has been so I continued taking the meds. reduced my dosage over a working for the past four three-month period. Over years on a plan to protect Three weeks into my affair the weeks that followed, the health of Canadians with Effexor, I was still waiting I experienced nausea and from this emerging to feel better. On Day 23, I vomiting, headaches, body threat with a project called Environmental accidentally burned myself while aches, bruising, fever and baking. The sensation felt good. Impact Initiative (EII) exhaustion. I was confused Unfortunately, EII may do Although I’d never intentionally and didn’t know what was harmed myself before, I less for the environment happening (having never been than for the drug and continued making small burns on told about the potential effects toiletry industry’s bottom my skin. On Day 24, in a state of of withdrawal) so, as any good line. emotional upheaval, I repeatedly patient would, I turned to the burned myself with a lighter on internet. I found countless web Because much of this one spot until it became hard forums and message boards form of pollution comes to the touch, yellowed, and then of psychiatric survivors who from personal (not started to turn black. At the discuss the effects of these industrial) use of chemicals, public awareness is key. Emergency Room the doctor drugs on their lives, including dressed my third-degree burn Prevention should be side effects and withdrawal paramount. The easiest way and told me: “The medications symptoms. Thus, I learned that you’re on are good. Just keep to reduce the environmental my symptoms of withdrawal burden of drugs and taking them.” I was sent home. were “normal.” toiletries is for everyone to use less. I cringe to think about what I am not alone in my might have happened that night frightening experience with These chemicals get had I left the hospital alone. these drugs that caused more into the environment in Luckily, I had very supportive problems than they solved. the most prosaic of ways. friends and family and was not Fifty to 90% of the active left alone over the next few days. Saskatoon, SK (young woman) ingredients of a medication are excreted (through body fluids) and enter the Feminizing fish CBC News, March 23, 2006

In his recent annual report Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller said contraceptives, painkillers, antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs and blood-pressure drugs are showing up in lakes and rivers, while anti-inflammatory and anti-cholesterol drugs and antidepressants are ending up in drinking water.

Experiments in Northern Ontario have shown that exposure to these waste drugs has led to the feminization of male fish, delayed reproduction in female fish and damage to kidneys and livers of both sexes, Miller reports.

12 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 withdrawl How to withdraw safely from antidepressant drugs By Angela Bischoff, Greenspiration

In The Antidepressant Solution withdrawal effects, which can be reactions. Smaller dosage How is it that physicians and testimonial (2005), Dr. Joseph Glenmullen serious and even life-threatening. reductions and closer monitoring the public have not been warned gives a step-by-step guide to is recommended. about probable withdrawal safely overcoming antidepressant Antidepressant withdrawal reactions? Clearly, pharmaceutical After being administered withdrawal, dependence and symptoms are divided into two It is not recommended to skip companies have protected their massive doses of Haldol and addiction. main categories: psychiatric dosages as a way of tapering; this profits, and regulatory agencies Rispiridone in May 1996, I still and physical symptoms. The can result in rollercoaster episodes haven’t demanded the right suffer from tremors, dizziness, Research has shown that when psychiatric symptoms of of withdrawal symptoms. Blunting data. Studies for drug approval night sweats, headaches, patients stop antidepressants cold antidepressant withdrawal include withdrawal symptoms with other are typically six to eight weeks, depressed mood, irritability, turkey they have high rates of depressed mood, low energy, pharmaceutical drugs (i.e., pain even though most patients are on agitation and low energy. I did withdrawal reactions, which vary crying uncontrollably, anxiety, killers) is also not recommended these drugs for years or decades. also suffer from uncontrollable depending on the particular drug, insomnia, irritability, agitation, because it distorts and obscures Pharmaceutical companies note crying for months after but generally affect between 60% the true stress the body is impulsivity, hallucinations that dependence has “not been quitting these anti-psychotic and 78% of users! With 40-50 or suicidal and violent urges. undergoing, a valuable gauge. systematically studied.” meds. million people on antidepressant The physical symptoms of Even after patients no longer drugs worldwide, withdrawal and antidepressant withdrawal include need antidepressants to treat their dependence have become major disabling dizziness, imbalance, original psychiatric conditions, Studies for drug approval Although I cannot afford problems. nausea, vomiting, flu-like aches their brain cells need time to nutritional supplements, and pains, sweating, headaches, readjust or readapt to stopping the are typically six to eight I refuse to take any of drugs, and that takes time. weeks, even though the pharmaceuticals that Almost all patients tremors, burning sensations or electric shock-like zaps in the most patients are on have been repeatedly who have been on brain. The fact that antidepressant these drugs for years or “recommended.” Oddly, on a antidepressants for more withdrawal can mimic a patient’s disability pension, having been Almost all patients who have original psychiatric condition is a decades. diagnosed as suffering from an than one month should cruel irony. Doctors and patients been on antidepressants for more “anxiety disorder,” provincial than one month should use a need to be well-informed about use a tapering program health care will authorize as tapering program when they go distinguishing antidepressant Withdrawal, dependence and when they go off. off, which Glenmullen is careful withdrawal from depressive addiction have historically been much as $1,500 per month to note should be under doctor’s relapse. This can be done by the death knell for psychiatric for pharmaceutical medication A study published in 1997 supervision. Also, your specific (a) noticing when the reaction drugs, so that would explain but will not authorize $150 found that 70% of family doctors dosage reductions may need to occurs, (b) knowing that physical why drug companies refused to per month for nutritional were unaware of antidepressant be adjusted depending on your reactions are generally withdrawal study this adverse reaction. But it supplements. withdrawal reaction even constitution. Everyone is different reactions, (c) noticing if the doesn’t explain why the regulatory though they write the majority and will respond differently to the symptoms peak and then clear agencies, such as the US FDA and Bedrock, BC (older man) of prescriptions for these drugs. drug as well as to the withdrawal in the predicted timeframe and Health Canada, have let them Drug companies still don’t of the drug. (d) noticing if the symptoms get away with it, to the peril of adequately advise doctors of disappear quickly if the patient millions of users. potential withdrawal reactions To reduce both the incidence is given a test dose of the (nor other adverse reactions and severity of withdrawal antidepressant. such as agitation). In fact, these reactions, a conservative rule drugs are advertised as “non of thumb is a dosage reduction habit-forming” or “not associated every month. For example, it with dependence or addiction” is suggested that one taper off Why and how to report adverse even though both anecdotal Remeron this way: if you start at evidence and company clinical 45 mg, reduce down to 30 mg for trials prove otherwise. In Europe a full month, down to 15 mg for a drug reactions? they can’t advertise this but they full month, down to 7.5 mg for a can in North America, where the full month, and finally 0. FDA supported drug companies’ By Colleen Fuller, Vancouver, Women and Health Protection marketing ploy to instead adopt Children are much more the term “discontinuation” vulnerable than adults to Even the most rigorous reactions have been reported. only $2.5 million went to boost – while the user suffers the same antidepressant withdrawal government approval process Manufacturers must report post-market surveillance and ADR for new drugs cannot possibly serious harm within 15 days. This reporting. predict the full extent of harmful database is available for public and or unexpected effects of a drug professional use. There also must be a sharp once it is on the market. For increase in reporting from all that reason, all countries need a Most experts agree, however, sources, with significantly more post-market surveillance system that only between 1% and 5% of support dedicated to increasing for therapeutic drugs to track harmful side effects are reported consumer reporting directly to any ill effects of these drugs or to to Health Canada. This low rate Health Canada. determine if the warnings about of reporting makes it impossible side effects and directions for use for Health Canada’s database to A growing number of consumer are adequate and appropriate. accurately reflect the extent of groups also believe that more harm caused by any given drug. As research is needed to understand However, partly due to a result, our safety is in jeopardy. the whole experience of adverse inadequate funding, the current drug reactions. If you’re injured by Canadian post-market surveillance a prescription drug, you get very system does not sufficiently Only between 1% and little support. Injured Canadians detect harmful or unexpected 5% of harmful side and their families need redress effects of drugs in a timely or as well as a more competent robust manner. This system relies effects are reported to regulator. exclusively on voluntary reporting Health Canada. by health professionals and All these things will require consumers, although reporting by political commitment to improve health professionals may become For post-market surveillance to post-market surveillance of mandatory in the near future. work effectively, Health Canada therapeutic drugs. needs to put more money into Health Canada maintains determining causality-did the a database called the Adverse drug cause the side effect or not, To report an adverse drug Drug Reaction Information System and what should be done about reaction, call the Regional Adverse where consumers and health it? Lately the cuts have been so Reaction Centre toll free 1-866- professionals can report adverse steep, this research has all but 234-2345, or visit Health Canada’s drug reactions (ADR). The stopped. In 2003-04, $31.2 million Adverse Drug Reaction website database is also accessible to extra was put into speeding up and database: http://www.hc-sc.gc. people who want to check how the approval of new drugs but ca/dhp-mps/medeff/index_e.html many and what kind of adverse

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 13 interview Conversation with Robert Whitaker by Terry Messman, Street Spirit, edited by A.B. testimonial Bob Whitaker is an award-winning medical journalist and author of Mad In America: Bad Between age 31 and 45 I Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill. tried four antidepressants. Two I tried for a month Street Spirit: Your new line of When you look at the research RW: Yes, these drugs disrupt people who hadn’t been psychotic gave me a very disturbing research indicates an enormous literature, you find a clear pattern normal brain chemistry. That’s before. So you were seeing these and uncontrollable energy rise in the incidence of mental of outcomes with all these drugs – the real paradox here. And the very problematic side effects even amplification effect that illness in the United States, you see it with the antipsychotics, real tragedy is, that even as we at the same time that you were prevented me from sleeping despite seeming advances in a new the antidepressants, the anti- peddle these drugs as chemical seeing very modest efficacy, if and made me feel like I generation of psychiatric drugs. anxiety drugs and the stimulants balancers, chemical fixers, in any, over placebo in ameliorating wanted to jump out of myself. like Ritalin used to treat ADHD. truth we’re doing precisely the depression. The induced sensation was Robert Whitaker: When the All these drugs may curb a target opposite. We’re taking a brain symptom slightly more effectively that has no known abnormal brain hideously artificial. What a National Institute of Mental SS: What was the level of Health publishes its figures on than a placebo does for a short chemistry, and by placing people fraud of the pharmaceutical complaints when Prozac hit the the incidence of mental illness, period of time, say six weeks. An on the drugs, we’re perturbing that market? companies to suggest this you see these rising numbers of antidepressant may ameliorate the normal chemistry. is the way “non-depressed” mentally ill people. Some recent symptoms of depression better RW: Within one decade, 39,000 people should feel. Give me reports even say that 20 percent than a placebo over the short SS: One of the SSRI adverse reports about Prozac were back my depression, please of Americans now are mentally ill. term. antidepressants that’s widely sent to Medwatch – a number – at least it’s a REAL feeling! Part of this rise is just definitional. believed to be a wonder drug thought to represent only one We draw a big wide boundary Yes, these drugs is Prozac. Yet your research percent of the actual number of A third antidepressant today and throw all sorts of people found that the Food and Drug such events. So, if we get 39,000 blunted whatever “lows” and into that category of mentally ill. disrupt normal Administration (FDA) received adverse event reports about So children who are not sitting more adverse reports about Prozac “highs” I had. While I could brain chemistry Prozac, the number of people sleep, I generally felt more neatly enough in school rooms than any other drug. What sort of who have actually suffered such are said to have Attention Deficit ill effects were people reporting? numb. I wanted my passion problems is estimated to be 100 Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), What you find with every back, so I quit after four times as many, or roughly four and we created a new disorder class of these psychiatric drugs RW: First of all, with Prozac and months. Finally I tried the big million people. This makes Prozac called Social Anxiety Disorder is a worsening of the target the SSRIs that followed, their level the most complained about drug one, Prozac. After five weeks, (SAD). symptom of depression or of efficacy was always of a very in America, by far. I didn’t feel any different, so I psychosis or anxiety over the minor sort. In all the clinical trials went off it cold turkey: nothing SS: So what used to be called long term,compared to placebo- of the antidepressants, roughly 41 Remember, Prozac is pitched happened. simply shyness or anxiety relating treated patients. So even on the percent of the patients got better to the American public as this to people is now labelled a mental target symptoms, there’s greater in the short term versus 31 percent wonderfully safe drug, and yet I am now age 46 and am disorder and you supposedly need chronicity and greater severity of the patients on placebo. Now what are people complaining not paralyzingly depressed. an antidepressant like Paxil for of symptoms. And you see a just one other caveat on that. If about?: Mania, psychotic fairly significant percentage of But it isn’t “therapy” that has social anxiety disorder? you use an active placebo in these depression, nervousness, anxiety, patients where new and more been reversing it. It’s social trials – an active placebo causes agitation, hostility, hallucinations, severe psychiatric symptoms are a physiologic change with no engagement. I was shy. I memory loss, tremors, impotence, What you find with triggered by the drug itself. benefit, like a dry mouth – any never challenged myself to be convulsions, insomnia, nausea, difference in outcome between suicidal impulses. It’s a wide range around other people. I started every class of these the antidepressant and placebo of serious symptoms. finally consciously shifting my psychiatric drugs is a virtually disappears. isolation and withdrawal at worsening of the target age 34. Then the core of my SS: Weren’t the early drug tests of When you talk about depression started withering symptom of depression Prozac so unpromising that they mania, hallucinations, after purposefully choosing or psychosis or anxiety had to manipulate test results to psychotic depression, to be and participate with get FDA approval at all? over the long term these are serious other supportive people compared to in community activist RW: What happened with Prozac adverse events. organizations. I was nudged placebo-treated patients is a fascinating story. Right from from passivity to action, the beginning, they noticed only very marginal efficacy over And here’s the kicker. It wasn’t and got a sense of my own placebo; and they noticed that just Prozac. Once we got the autonomy and power for the RW: Exactly. And a stimulant like Ritalin for ADHD. SS: New psychiatric symptoms they had some problems with other SSRIs on the market, like first time in my life. created by the very drugs people suicide. There were increased Zoloft and Paxil, by 1994, four are told will help them recover? SS: If psychiatry has introduced suicidal responses compared to SSRI antidepressants were among Depression then began these so-called wonder drugs like placebo. In other words, the drug the top 20 most complained about RW: Absolutely. The most obvious to dissolve and has never Prozac and Zoloft and Zyprexa, was agitating people and making drugs on the FDA’s Medwatch list. case is with the antidepressants. returned with the paralyzing why is the incidence of mental people suicidal who hadn’t been In other words, every one of these A certain percentage of people force that it once had. I still illness going up dramatically? suicidal before. They were getting drugs brought to market started have suppressed, unconscious placed on the SSRIs because they manic responses in people who triggering this range of adverse feelings of hurt and rage to have some form of depression will hadn’t been manic before. They events. And these were not minor RW: We have a form of care suffer either a manic or psychotic feel, to completely evaporate were getting psychotic episodes in things. When you talk about where we’re using these drugs in attack – drug-induced. This is well the remnants of my an ever more expansive manner, recognized. So now, instead of just depression. But I now know and supposedly we have better dealing with depression, they’re that no drug will ever be drugs and they’re the cornerstone dealing with mania or psychotic necessary. of our care, so we should see symptoms. And once they have decreasing disability rates. That’s a drug-induced manic episode, what you’d expect. Victoria, BC (middle-aged man) what happens? They go to an emergency room, and at that point Instead, from 1987 until now, they’re newly diagnosed. They’re we’ve seen an increase in the now said to be bipolar and they’re number of mentally disabled given an antipsychotic to go along people from 3.3 million to 5.7 with the antidepressant; and, at million people in the United that point, they’re moving down States. In that time, our spending the path to chronic. on psychiatric drugs increased to an amazing degree. Combined SS: So the paradox is there’s spending on antipsychotic drugs no evidence for modern and antidepressants jumped from psychiatry’s claim that there is around $500 million in 1986 to any pathological biochemical nearly $20 billion in 2004. So imbalance in the brain that causes we raise the question: Is the use mental illness, but if you treat of these drugs somehow actually people with these new wonder fueling this increase in the number drugs, that is what creates a of the disabled mentally ill? pathological imbalance?

14 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 interview

Interview continued

mania, hallucinations, psychotic do you know what happens today? RW: Ritalin is methylphenidate. depression, these are serious You pretty likely are going to get Now methylphenidate affects testimonial adverse events. diagnosed with a mental disorder, the brain in exactly the same way and you’re going to be placed on a as cocaine. They both block a SS: In light of the FDA’s failure psychiatric drug. In Massachusetts, molecule that is involved in the In 2004 I suffered from an to warn us about Prozac, what it’s something like 60 to 70 reuptake of dopamine.So think episode of severe situational about their recent negligence on percent of kids in foster care are about this. We’re giving kids a depression. Without more the issue of the risk of suicide in now on psychiatric drugs. These drug known to have the possibility than five minutes consultation kids aren’t mentally ill! They got a of stirring psychosis. So you’ve children given antidepressants like my GP placed me on Celexa. Paxil? raw deal in life. They ended up in got kids in boring schools, the a foster home, which means they boys are not paying attention and At first I did not notice a RW: Yes. The children’s story were in a bad family situation, they’re diagnosed with ADHD is unbelievably tragic. It’s also a and what does our society do? and put on a drug known to stir difference, until suddenly I really sordid story. Let’s go back They say: “You have a defective psychosis. The next thing you rose out of my depression. a little to see what happened to brain.” It’s not that society was know, a fair number of them are However, with this I children and antidepressants. bad and you didn’t get a fair deal. not doing well by the time they’re experienced a strong sense of Prozac comes to market in hostility. The clinical results No, the kid has a defective brain 15, 16, 17. Some of those kids talk euphoria and extremely poor 1987. By the early 1990s, the were telling you that you didn’t and has to be put on this drug. It’s about how when you’re on these lack of judgment (something pharmaceutical companies making get any benefit on depression; absolutely criminal. drugs for the long term, you start that rarely plays a part in my these drugs are saying, “How and you could cause all sorts of feeling like a zombie; you don’t daily life). So I returned to my Let’s talk about bipolar disorder feel like yourself. do we expand the market for real problems in kids – mania, GP. He offered me another among kids. As one doctor antidepressants?” Because that’s hostility, psychosis, and you may drug. I insisted on a more what drug companies do – they said, that used to be so rare as even stir suicide. In other words, But you take a kid, professional assessment of want to get to an ever-larger don’t use these drugs, right? It was to be almost nonexistent. Now what was happening because I number of people. They saw absolutely covered up. we’re seeing it all over. Bipolar and you turn them they had an untapped market in is exploding among kids. Well, had begun crashing again and kids, so “let’s start peddling the partly you could say that we’re into a customer, and did not feel like myself. The drugs to kids.” And they were 23 % of children treated just slapping that label on kids hopefully a lifelong complete lack of concentration successful. Since 1990, the use of more often; but in fact, there is meant that I could not use my antidepressants in kids went up with an SSRI developed something real going on. Here’s customer. most valuable part of myself, something like seven-fold. They mania or manic-like what’s happening. You take kids my mind. I am a thinker and a began prescribing them willy-nilly. symptoms; an additional and put them on an antidepressant SS: Hollowed-out, blunted researcher. It was devastating – which we never used to do emotions. And this is being done to feel hand cuffed from my 19 % developed drug- – or you put them on a stimulant to millions of kids. Drugs were no more induced hostility. like Ritalin. Stimulants can cause passion and from something I felt was strongly linked to who effective than placebos mania; stimulants can cause RW: Millions of kids! Think psychosis. about what we’re doing. We’re I am as a person. and yet they were SS: There’s supposedly an robbing kids of their right to be causing all sorts of alarming increase in mental illness SS: And antidepressants can also kids, their right to grow, their After pleading in tears for being diagnosed in children. cause mania, as you pointed out. right to experience their full range an in-depth evaluation, I was adverse events. Millions are diagnosed with of emotions, and their right to finally sent to a psychiatrist depression, bipolar and psychotic RW: Exactly, so the kid ends up experience the world in its full hue who diagnosed me as bipolar. Now, whenever they did symptoms, attention deficit with a drug-induced manic or of colours. That’s what growing I was immediately placed pediatric trials of antidepressants, hyperactivity disorder and social psychotic episode. Once they up is, that’s what being alive is! on Trileptol and Wellbutrin. they found that the drugs were anxiety disorder. have that, the doctor at the And we’re robbing kids of their The affects of Trileptol were no more effective on the target emergency room doesn’t say, “Oh, right to be. It’s so criminal. And horrendous, notably blurred symptom of depression than he’s suffering from a drug-induced we’re talking about millions of kids RW: There are two things vision, difficulty sleeping placebo. This happened again and episode:” he says, “He’s bipolar.” affected this way. There are some happening here. One, of course, and a complete lack of again in the pediatric drug trials of is that it’s complete nonsense. As colleges where something like 40 concentration, accompanied antidepressants. So, what that tells you remember as a kid, you have to 50 percent of the kids arrive you is there is no real therapeutic too much energy or you behave with a psychiatric prescription. with the usual uncomfortable rationale for the drugs because sometimes in not altogether We’re robbing kids of feeling of not being in my body in this population of kids, the appropriate ways, and you do their right to be kids. SS: It looks like a huge social- and not feeling like myself. drugs don’t even curb the target have these extremes of emotions, control mechanism. But it also has symptoms over the short term any especially during your teenage a huge marketing payoff. As a graduate student, better than placebo; and yet they years. Both children and teenagers SS: Then they give him a whole the culmination of these were causing all sorts of adverse RW: You’re right, it creates can be very emotional. So one new drug for the mental disorder symptoms was far worse than events. customers for the drugs, and thing that’s going on is that they caused by the first drug. the original symptoms and I take childhood behaviours and hopefully lifelong customers. became severely depressed. For example, in one trial, 75 start defining behaviours they That’s what they’re told, aren’t After receiving an ultimatum percent of youth treated with don’t like as pathological. They RW: Yeah, they give him an they? They’re told they are going to add Lithium to my list, I antidepressants suffered an adverse start defining emotions that are antipsychotic drug; and now he’s to be on these drugs for life. And event of some kind. In one study uncomfortable as pathological. on a cocktail of drugs, and he’s next thing they know, they’re on made the difficult but freeing by the University of Pittsburgh, 23 So part of what we’re doing is on a path to becoming disabled two or three or four drugs. It’s decision to slowly wean myself percent of children treated with an pathologizing childhood with for life. That’s an example of how brilliant from the capitalist point off all the drugs. SSRI developed mania or manic- straight-out definition stuff. And we’re absolutely making kids sick. of view. It does serve some social- like symptoms; an additional 19 we’re pathologizing poverty control function. But you take The withdrawal was percent developed drug-induced among kids. SS: There’s an astonishing number a kid, and you turn them into a challenging, and without the of kids being given Ritalin to cure customer, and hopefully a lifelong support of my psychiatrist, hyperactivity. You write that the For example, if you’re a foster customer. It’s brilliant. but I can happily report that kid, and maybe you drew a bad effect of Ritalin on the dopamine system is very similar to cocaine I am feeling like myself again. straw in the lottery of life and are The amount of money we I can concentrate and I’m born into a dysfunctional family and amphetamines. spend on psychiatric drugs in this using therapy, yoga and most and you get put into foster care, country is more than the Gross National Product of two thirds of importantly, regular exercise to the world’s countries. It’s just this regulate my mood swings. incredibly lucrative paradigm of the mind that you can fix chemical Waterloo, ON (young woman) imbalances in the brain with these drugs. mental health of the American SS: Everyone gets rich – the drug people is getting better. Instead, companies, the psychiatrists, everyone says we have this the researchers, the advertising increasing problem. They blame agencies – and the clients get it on the stresses of modern life drugged out of their minds and or something like that, and they damaged for life. don’t want to look at the fact that we’re creating mental illness. RW: And you know what’s interesting? No one says that the

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 15 big pharma Profit first, truth later By Dr. Joel Lexchin, Emergency Doctor, University Health Network; testimonial Associate Professor, York University, Toronto For over 30 years, pharmaceutical its norms. By law, corporations clinical trial results are as drugs to ensure the highest rate I had it all – advanced industry profits have increasingly have a duty to put shareholders’ favourable as possible to the drugs of return, which they justify by education, job with senior outstripped those of other interests above all others and being tested. Half a dozen studies citing contestable studies showing salary and freedom. industries by a wide margin. Only no legal authority to serve any have shown that when drug high R&D costs. Medications recently falling from first to third other interests. Corporations are companies fund the trials, results are promoted to push the use of But before long I was place in Fortune profit rankings, neither moral nor immoral; they are two to five times more likely to the newest and most expensive working over 60 hours a drug industry profitability still must obey the law but beyond be positive than trials funded by version, and emphasize a drug’s week, though I never felt outpaces nearly all others. that, their obligation is to be as anyone else. good points while downplaying or acknowledged. I became profitable as possible; corporate ignoring safety issues. apathetic, resentful and social responsibility or anything Health problems that reduces profitability in the Companies try to position intolerant. My ability to When drug companies in developing long-term is illegal. products in profitable market focus and concentrate fund the trials, results niches, like drugs being promoted diminished, everything seemed countries are largely Drug companies embrace are two to five times for “shyness.” With highly overwhelming, and I was very ignored because the this logic and tailor research profitable drugs, companies try to ineffective at meeting deadlines agendas to produce products more likely to be minimize emerging safety issues and producing results. people can’t generate with the largest market potential, positive than trials to keep them on the market as the profits the regardless of medical need. If a long as possible. This industry My doctor prescribed company decides the market is funded by anyone else. champions intellectual property antidepressant meds that companies want. not favourable enough, they’ll rights to maximize the brand- resulted in nothing positive but terminate development of a drug Drug companies publish results name sales monopoly period, had significant negative side How much money should despite consequences for patients to put their products in the keeping generics away and helping enrolled in studies, researchers best light, publishing positive to ensure drug prices (and profits) effects. I sometimes had to go drug companies make; enough to attract capital for research conducting them or people who results more than once and using keep rising. They keep profits high home due to flu-like symptoms and development? What about might have benefited from the statistical techniques to make by any measure. and dysentery. I suffered from taxpayers? A better question is research. Health problems in results look better than they are. horrifying nightmares and how industry achieves its profits, developing countries are largely When there are negative trials, Some drugs produced over the became anxious, enraged and and the consequences of those ignored because the people can’t companies will often try to ensure years have had a profound positive physically violent in meetings. I actions. generate the profits the companies results do not go public. impact on people’s lives. Whether was unable to connect with my want. these achievements balance the feelings. I couldn’t feel anything Drug companies exist within In countries where companies tactics companies use to ensure during a massage or when I a market economy and cannot Research is part of the market are free to set their prices profitability is something for made love. There is nothing be expected to deviate from cycle. Companies try to ensure (primarily the US), they price society at large to decide. more frustrating than having a high libido and not being able to reach an orgasm. Similarities between the pharmaceutical, tobacco It was clear that the medications were doing and oil industries nothing other than exacerbate • Big Pharma, Big Tobacco and Big • All hired their own experts to • All have earned multi-billion- • Finally, all enjoy overly cozy my condition. Oil produce and sell products that produce often phony, always dollar profits while relying on relationships with government often cause injury or death when misleading non-peer-reviewed public funds to pay for the that enable them to maximize I was encouraged to go on used as directed. “research” designed solely to cast substantial environmental, profits for as long as possible, short-term disability for a doubt on any genuine research by social and health consequences regardless of the harm such month. It’s now been almost • All three industries knew that outside experts whose conclusions of their products. products are known to be causing. four years and I haven’t been some of their most profitable could hurt sales. well enough to return. products were injuring and killing people, and either hid such The most difficult aspect evidence, lied about it or both. of suffering with depression is the experience of not being understood. It makes Street drugs and me frustrated, disconnected, alienated and not wanting to live. SSRIs Dr. Ann Blake Tracey – Eli Lilly, maker of I am told many people are Prozac, is the same company who gave us LSD in responsive to antidepressants, 1956 and told us that LSD was going to cure mental but very little has changed for illness, alcoholism and aid in psychoanalysis. LSD me. With little hope that I will and PCP (which was a “safe effective” prescription encounter effective treatment, medication for seven years before it was pulled) are I am now on my journey to serotonergic agents. They work almost identically to master living with the illness. these new antidepressants.

Toronto, ON (middle-aged man) Miriam Hawkins – An antidepressant is the opposite of a depressant – a stimulant, like cocaine. Both SSRIs and crack shut down natural serotonin production so the addict feels bad when “jonesing” for the source of what makes the serotonin build up again – a hit or dose of a seratonin reuptake blocker like crack or an SSRI.

Dr. Peter Breggin – The stimulants amphet- amine and methamphetamine (speed) overstimulate serotonin in a somewhat similar fashion to anti- depressants, and are proven to cause permanent dysfunction in the serotonin system. They can even kill serotonin brain cells.

Dr. David Healy – We have difficulties embrac- ing the possibility that “good” drugs might trigger suicide or violence, but no difficulties in accepting that LSD or cocaine might do this – even though there is a significant overlap between the actions of LSD, cocaine and the SSRIs on the serotonin system.

16 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 suicide Myths about suicide By Dr. Howard Rosenthal

Myth 1: Suicidal people don’t suicide rate keeps increasing with individual commits suicide, the give warning signs. age. The rate of geriatric suicide survivors cannot blame a virus or a Fact: Nearly everybody who (ages 65 and older) is nearly drunk driver. testimonial attempts or successfully commits three times the rate of the general suicide communicates his or her population. Myth 9: The suicide rate goes up intent. The person may talk about in times of war. I fumble for my lighter depressed, of having attempted suicide, repeatedly joke about it, Myth 5: Most people leave a Fact: In reality, the suicide rate and hastily rolled joint. My suicide and failed at that too, write about it, place messages on suicide note that explains the plummets during times of war. environment: an intersection, that drives males to death. It’s Internet chat rooms, or even draw nature of their act. traffic, daylight, tears, break an even bigger deal for queer pictures related to death. Others Fact: Only 15 to 25 percent of Myth 10: Never ask a person if he dancers in the distance, youth, who are seven times give away prized possessions. those who commit suicide leave a or she is suicidal as you could put indifferent passers-by, more likely to commit suicide note. the idea in his or her head. commerce. Concrete walls, than straight youth. The suicide Myth 2: Suicide occurs around Fact: This is one of the most concrete steps, scuffing shoes. rate for Indigenous youth the holidays. Myth 6: Clients who live in big pernicious myths of all time! Make Dark, persistent, familiar, and across Canada is six times December generally checks cities are under more stress and are it a point to ask each of your sad Fact: excruciating depression. I toke greater than that of non-Native in as the lowest month for suicide more likely to kill themselves. friends/loved ones if he or she is youth. in the US. Some suicidologists Fact: The suicide rate is clearly suicidal. on the joint, intending suicide, have noted that all major holidays higher in sparsely populated rural experiencing ambivalence. have a lower rate of suicide than areas. Myth 11: Once a person’s This paints a clear picture other days of the year. depression lifts, the situation isn’t I was a well-informed of the relationship between Myth 7: Media stories about as dangerous. depressive. I’d read suicide was patriarchal, homophobic, Myth 3: Suicide occurs more suicide and the economy do not Fact: Many, if not most an act of impulse, often planned, white-supremecist and colonial frequently during the dark, dreary affect the suicide rate. people commit suicide after the very rarely executed without oppression of subordinate days of winter. Fact: Suicide is a good barometer depression lifts – this could be the hesitation, and amongst the groups. To disrupt and Fact: Most suicides occur in the of the economy. In troubled most dangerous time. survivors, or “incompletes,” transform this relationship, spring. May rates are generally the economic times, such as the Great rarer still without regret. to move forward, we must highest. Depression of 1929, the suicide Myth 12: Don’t bother giving The difference between an understand how privilege and rate skyrocketed. the suicidal individual the number incomplete and complete oppression shape our mental Myth 4: Suicide is primarily a of the local suicide prevention health. If we fail to acknowledge teenage problem. Myth 8: The grief surrounding a hotline if the client insists he or suicide is often a matter of our complicity in systems of Fact: The rate of teen suicide is suicide is just like any other grief. she won’t call it. chance. about three times what it was in Fact: In most cases survivors Fact: Don’t buy it! Many people oppression, we will never be the 1960s. However, the suicide (those who have lost a loved who insist they would never call a Several weeks prior, I had free. rate in women continues to rise one to suicide) have a tougher hotline do decide to make the call sent a distress signal out. My until it peaks at about age 51 time coping with grief. When an after all. community – friends, family Mental illness is everyone’s and then it plateaus. In men, the and eventually physicians problem. We are all connected and mental health workers to and affected by one another. – responded. Depression is one of the most significant health issues of our SSRIs wonder drugs from hell Relapsing, I was hiding, times. Despite the obvious plotting my end, and getting truth of these statements, our high. Without irony, the joint community’s responses to By Evelyn Pringle produced an impulse, and I ran mental illness are as ambivalent across the street, stole some and uncertain as depression The McIntosh family has to With the onset of puberty, agitation known as akathisia, and paper and a pen, and started itself. introduce 12-year-old Caitlin, Caitlin seemed to be having hallucinations, and she was put in writing, and crying. After writing with a photograph because that is trouble coping, and had sleeping the adolescent ward of a mental (not done crying yet), I called a We need to talk about it. all they has left. Caitlin committed problems due to a mild seizure hospital to balance her meds.” crisis line. After the crisis line, The shame and stigma of suicide eight weeks after being disorder. I called my friends (still crying). mental illness is destroying prescribed the SSRIs Paxil and Once she entered the hospital, Zoloft. the situation got worse as Then, I took a bus, talked to an our communities. Frank and The dramatic and Caitlin was put on more and older woman with a charisma I accepting representations of “We were told that severe symptoms that more psychiatric drugs to treat hadn’t seen in myself for many mental illness can be healing antidepressants like Paxil and symptoms and behaviours that long months and, exhausted, tools of expression and Zoloft were wonder drugs, that led to my daughter’s Glenn says he now realizes were collapsed in the arms of a safe solidarity. they were safe and effective suicide manifested caused by the SSRIs to begin with. person, in a safe place. for children. We were lied to,” You have a piece of my story. Caitlin’s father says. only after she started Mental illness is a big fucking I want to hear yours. We all taking antidepressant The pharmaceutical deal for youth. Males are at have them. Because we are According to Glenn, his companies have particular risk – the violence worth it, because we must daughter was a straight “A” drugs. inscribed in masculinity cuts honour the memory of the lost student, an artist and a talented known for years that members of our communities, musician who loved animals and “We wanted to help, of course,” both ways, and it cuts deep. wanted to be a veterinarian. her father explains, “so we took these drugs could Four times more males than because life is a celebration that her to our family cause suicide – why females will commit suicide, lasts just a short while, these physician, who despite the fact that women stories must be heard. Please prescribed her didn’t we? attempt suicide four times – bear witness to one another, Paxil.” more often. For men it’s not listen with love and demand When she was released from only a propensity towards that you and others be heard. Right off the the hospital, the downward spiral more violent means; it’s the bat, Caitlin did continued until the day that deep, socially constructed Victoria, BC (young man) not do well on Caitlin used her shoelaces to hang shame of having been Paxil, so the herself in a bathroom at school. doctor took her off the drug. “Let me be very clear about About a week something,” Glenn said, “the later the family dramatic and severe symptoms went to see a that led to my daughter’s suicide psychiatrist and manifested only after she started Caitlin was put taking antidepressant drugs.” on Zoloft. “The pharmaceutical companies According to have known for years that these Glenn, “She then drugs could cause suicide in some started having patients,” Glenn said. “Why didn’t strong suicidal we?” ideations along with severe

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 17 poverty Antidepressants and poverty: a sinister mix By Josephine Grey, Toronto, Low Income Families Together

It has become all too common to encourage doctors to verify the side effects or of managing When we lose the capacity to among doctors to prescribe their eligibility for various forms dependency on antidepressants. defend each other and ourselves, antidepressants to people of public assistance. Once on we become passive victims of suffering the stress and fear of antidepressants, they have no bad employers, landlords, welfare testimonial living in poverty, especially means to secure counselling If the central workers and other systemic forces single mothers and youth. As a and free services are extremely cause of the depression that run and can ruin the lives of community worker in touch with limited, so they are usually the poor. My step-dad (age 90) went is poverty, no amount on antidepressants after my poor women, men, youth and expected to function under the elders on a daily basis, I have often dangerous influence of these Meanwhile no one profits mum died in late October, as of pills or counselling observed many aspects and effects drugs without any psychiatric or more from the poor than pharma he was crying uncontrollably of antidepressant drugs in poor counselling support. is going to resolve corporations producing one (duh.) He did stop crying. communities. the root cause of of the most effective means of Months later he seemed much Poor people are by far the suppressing dissent. There is no slower and more fragile, not most vulnerable to the toxic side the illness. greater single source of profit eating, not caring about things. People in poverty effects of antidepressants and yet derived from poor people than the are often afraid to are likely prescribed them more millions of tax dollars that drug I knew him as a man with refuse the pills as they often than most people in society. If the central cause of the plans use to purchase these deadly a mind as sharp as a tack last It may seem to be the easiest or depression is poverty, no amount prescriptions for those devastated year. I thought the death of my feel that they must even the only thing a doctor can of pills or counselling is going by their poverty. mum had just hit him hard and do to help at the time. The stress to resolve the root cause of the cooperate. caused by undernourishment, illness. So it seems to me that the It is time to examine the he was deciding to slowly wind lack of dental care and isolation, most sinister effect of all is that demographics of users, to demand down his life. But I also asked People in poverty are often compounded with negative drug most poor and disenfranchised to know the prevalence of him whether or not he had afraid to refuse the pills, even side effects, puts vulnerable people people, once hooked by a antidepressant prescribing without considered that the drugs he if they have heard about in grave danger of total decline. doctor on pharmaceutical brain support, and to condemn medical was taking could be affecting safety concerns, as they feel It becomes especially dangerous chemicals, lose the ability to and corporate systems abusing the him. He didn’t really seem to that they must cooperate to for those who, for literacy or engage in organizing themselves poor for convenience and profit. take the question seriously. He receive needed treatments and language reasons, are unaware of to respond to systemic problems. was so zoned out I doubt if it really sank in.

But... his granddaughter On being maladjusted had the same concern. She asked what medication he was on. He showed her and By Martin Luther King Jr. she said she had taken the exact same drug for post- Every academic discipline to religious bigotry. I never Let us be maladjusted as Jesus freedom and justice. That will be partum depression and it had has its technical nomenclature, did intend to adjust myself to of Nazareth, who could look into the day when all of God’s children, turned her into a zombie... and modern psychology has a economic conditions that will the eyes of the men and women of black men and white men, Jews which is what he had become. word that is used probably more take necessities from the many to his generation and cry out, “Love and Gentiles, Catholics and She convinced him to start than any other. It is the word give luxuries to your enemies. Protestants, will be able to join weaning himself off the drug, “maladjusted.” This word is the the few. I never Bless them hands and sing in the words of the just to see what would happen, ringing cry of modern child did intend to So let us be maladjusted that curse you. assuring him that he could go psychology. Certainly all of us adjust myself Pray for them I never did intend to want to live a well-adjusted life back on if things got worse. to the madness that spitefully in order to avoid the neurotic of militarism, use you.” adjust myself to the

personality. But I say to you, there and the self-defeating effects In just a week it was like of physical violence. And I call I believe that it is through such madness of militarism having my old step-dad back. upon all men of good will to be maladjustment that we will be He was present. He was I never did intend maladjusted because it may well be able to emerge from the bleak old Negro spiritual, “Free at last! energetic. He said “I can’t to adjust to the that the salvation of our world lies and desolate midnight of man’s Free at last! Thank God almighty, believe I sat in my chair in the evils of segregation and in the hands of the maladjusted. inhumanity to man, into the we are free at last!” living room for three months bright and glittering daybreak of looking at the boxes I hadn’t discrimination So let us be maladjusted, as unpacked, and just stared at maladjusted as the prophet Amos, the walls.” are certain things within our social who in the midst of the injustices order to which I am proud to be of his day could cry out in words maladjusted and to which I call that echo across the centuries, So, another example of upon all men of good will to be “Let justice run down like water drugs doing harm and doctors maladjusted. and righteousness like a mighty not monitoring for adverse stream.” reactions. If you will allow the preacher in me to come out now, let Let us be as maladjusted as Rural BC (middle-aged woman) me say to you that I never did Abraham Lincoln, who had the intend to adjust to the evils of vision to see that this nation could segregation and discrimination. I not exist half slave and half free. never did intend to adjust myself

18 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 resources Book Movie Website Picks Picks Picks

The Antidepressant Our Bodies, Ourselves: Prescription: Suicide? Antidepressant Facts testimonial Fact Book A New Edition for a New Directed by Robert Mancierro Features research, articles, studies, personal experiences, views of Era This riveting one-hour film is By Dr. Peter Breggin doctors and 1001+ links to further y experiences with Effexor an unprecedented documentary M From how antidepressants work in By The Boston Women’s sources of information. about the personal stories of six have been a mixed bag. At first, the brain and how they treat (or www.antidepressantsfacts.com Health Book Collective American families, their hopes and on 75 mg, the results were a don’t treat) depression and other This classic book about women’s experiences with antidepressant spectacular decline in decades- disorders, to their little-known health and sexuality is written by drugs prescribed to their children. old symptoms of stress, side and withdrawal effects and Canadian Health women, for women. anxiety, and indigestion. the disturbingly compromised Coalition – Big Pharma FDA drug approval process, this Little Boy Blue invaluable guide presents the The Antidepressant archives After two years I decided documented facts. Directed by Donna Barker An excellent collection of to give “going drug free” a Solution: A Step-by- and Alan Cassels research, papers, media and other try. I’d cut the dosage as low Step Guide to Safely resources critiquing big pharma in as about 5 mg (!) through Expert testimony, a mock Worst Pills, Best Pills Canada. successive halving of the Overcoming Antidepressant pharmaceutical advertisement, and www.healthcoalition.ca/pharm. number of granules in a By Dr. Sidney Wolfe et al words from the mouths of babes Withdrawal, Dependence, html deliver a hard pill to swallow: if capsule and swallowing them Inside this 900+ page resource and Addiction off a spoon, but whenever you’ll find easy to understand your child seems depressed, a I tried to go from there to information on 538 prescription by Dr. Joseph Glenmullen bag of candy will often do more Greenspiration drugs like Celebrex, Crestor and good than a pharmaceutical zero it was awful, with all the This book offers a menu for Dedicated to the memory of the Paxil tapering safely and comfortably prescription. classic symptoms, especially late Tooker Gomberg who died by the “headswoosh” that most off antidepressants. (See page 13) antidepressant-induced suicide, his people who have taken this spouse disseminates information Over Dose: Selling Sickness: An Ill drug are familiar with. Anxiety The Truth About the for Every Pill on the dangers of antidepressant The Case Against the drugs. www.greenspiration.org and digestive upset made their Drug Companies Drug Companies: Directed by Catherine Scott unwelcome return, but in surges seemingly unrelated to How They Deceive Us and This documentary exposes the By Dr. Jay S. Cohen International Coalition what was going on around me. What To Do About It unhealthy relationship between Standard doses of top-selling society, medical science and the for Drug Awareness drugs are excessively strong for by Dr. Marcia Angell pharmaceutical industry. For various reasons millions of people, triggering an A group of physicians, researchers, – but basically to try and Exposes the shocking truth of epidemic of serious, yet avoidable journalists and concerned citizens get back that “quality of life” what the pharmaceutical industry dedicated to educating others side effects. improvement – I went back has become and argues for The Constant Gardener about the dangers posed by many

essential, long-overdue change. Based on a novel by John LeCarre, prescription medicines. on. This time I’m on the intro Death by Prescription: this dark tale of corporate www.drugawareness.org dose of 37.5 mg. I may go down. The Shocking Truth Behind corruption is blended with love Selling Sickness: and tragedy: an indictment of the an Overmedicated Nation How the world’s biggest pharmaceutical drug industry that Psychiatric Medication For the time being, some but By Dr. Ray D. Strand pharmaceutical companies is more fact than fiction. Available Awareness Group not all of the positive effects at video rental shops. are still with me, though they This book exposes the dangers of are turning us all into This Canadian website includes have diminished with time and, an overmedicated society and the patients information about psychiatric inherent risk of all prescription Prescription for medications, some of the main of course, vary with external medication – the third leading Co-written by Ray Moynihan adverse effects associated with stress levels. We’ll see, but cause of death in the US. and Alan Cassels Disaster these medications, safe and one thing’s for sure – no drug beats exercise, meditation, and Drug manufacturers today fund Directed by Gary Null effective withdrawal methods, and aggressive marketing campaigns links to related resources, books, vacation! Let Them Eat Prozac An expose of the symbiotic articles and research. designed to create new diseases. relationships between the www.psychmedaware.org Rural PEI (middle-aged man) By Dr. David Healy (See page 7) pharmaceutical industry, the FDA, A frank examination of the lobbyists, law makers, med schools pharmaceutical industry and the Your Drug May Be Your and researchers, and the impact Women and Health dangers of antidepressant drugs, this has on consumers and their by a psychiatrist who has been Problem: How and Why health care. Protection a consultant to the largest drug to Stop Taking Psychiatric Women and Health Protection companies. (WHP) is a Canadian coalition of Medications We Become Silent community groups, researchers, journalists and activists concerned Mad in America: By Dr. Peter R. Breggin and Directed by Kevin P. Miller, David Cohen Ph.D. with the safety of pharmaceutical Bad Science, Bad Medicine, Well TV drugs. www.whp-apsf.ca and the Enduring This book exposes the This details the ongoing attempts shortcomings of psychiatric by multinational pharmaceutical Mistreatment of the drugs and guides patients and interests and giant food companies Consumer Health Mentally ill doctors through the process of – in concert with the WTO, the A Canadian, non-profit organiza- withdrawing from them. By Robert Whitaker WHO and others – to limit the tion committed to public aware- public’s access to herbs, vitamins ness of “holistic” and “alternative” A medical journalist’s disturbing and other therapies. approaches to health. exposé of the cruel and corrupt www.consumerhealth.org business of treating mental illness in America. (See page 14)

Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006 19 Our prescription

We believe: Take Action!

There is a growing movement steer our own healing. We are non-pharmacologic approaches Write Canada’s Minister of people and groups that are empowered to influence and to the treatment of depression. of Health and let him know recognizing that we can heal improve our little piece of the This information should be what you think: Depression Expression is a project of Healthy ourselves with plants, intelligence, planet, and ourselves. standardized for all pharmacies, Mind Body Planet, a 23-city spirit, community and love. While written by Health Canada under The Honourable Tony Clement cross-Canada multi-media there may be a role for western direction of a public advisory Health Canada educational tour, tabloid medicine based on chemical More specifically: group, and given to patients every Brooke Claxton Bldg, Tunney’s Pasture and documentary sharing treatments to relieve symptoms, time they get a prescription for Postal # 0906C Ottawa, Ontario, Canada information related to mental, we believe also in complementary e believe Health Canada an antidepressant drug. Every K1A 0K9 W physical and planetary health. and alternative medicine should support a public health physician in the country should Email: [email protected] that encourages self-care and framework that also receive these advisories. reduces the use While on tour, we’ll be prevention. through of psychoactive drugs interviewing Canada’s great health promotion, rehabilitation We believe that reporting of Contact the Nova Scotia drug critics and creating audio e believe in choice and prevention. all serious adverse reactions to Minister of Justice and ask W and video podcasts which will – to choose health care that Health Canada’s Adverse Drug him to call on his Chief be posted at www.rabble.ca on may be gentler, safer and ealth Canada should actively Reaction Monitoring Program Medical Examiner to do a H the “rpn” and “rabblevision” more effective than allopathic should be mandatory for all Fatality Inquiry into the tragic discourage physicians from links. (western) medicine. In other prescribing SSRIs to adolescents physicians, and promoted and death of Tooker Gomberg. words, if my provincial health expanded for public use. Such an inquest would and women of child-bearing Dozens of volunteers and care plan is prepared to pay consider the systemic failures age. more than 70 organizations for my psychiatrist and my All provincial Colleges of of the medical profession in across the country have pharmaceutical prescriptions, ealth Canada should make Physicians and Surgeons should prescribing and monitoring H sponsored Healthy Mind Body it should also pay for my all develop standard practice the use of psychiatric drugs. clinical trial data available to Planet. We’re grateful to them psychotherapist, naturopath , including all serious guidelines on suicide assessment, This would be precedent the public all, and to YOU – for joining us and other well-researched adverse events. to insure patients are monitored setting and of national on this journey. complementary and alternative for suicidal ideation. These should consequence. include the risks surrounding medicine that I may choose. Health Canada should require The Honourable Murray K. Scott antidepressant drugs, the safe Bridget Haworth, Kelly that clinical trials last long enough Department of Justice, 4th Floor administration of these drugs, Reinhardt, Angela Bischoff We believe in informed to study long term outcomes, Terminal Building, P.O. Box 7 physicians’ legal and ethical consent – patients should expect including withdrawal, to reflect the 5151 Terminal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia obligation to warn patients of all complete and accurate disclosure time period that patients normally B3J 2L6 potential adverse reactions, and of the potential benefits and take antidepressants. These Email: [email protected] harms of medications that are trials should also include alternative, non-pharmacologic being prescribed to them. non-pharmacologic approaches to the treatment of Do the same for any other It is the legal responsibility treatments, and all depression. cases of suicide following use www.greenspiration.org of physicians to inform new agents should of antidepressants that you educates and advocates for themselves, and their be tested against The provincial Ministries are aware of. mental and environmental patients, of these risks. placebos. The federal of Education in concert with sustainability. government should Ministries of Health should We believe in public health fund research into monitor closely the growing Start a study group using care driven not by “complementary trend toward pharmaceutically- Depression Expression as the excessive profit but by and alternative sponsored speakers presenting initial text. Meet regularly to social goals of equity and medicine.” to students about depression and discuss articles and exchange accessibility. Effective suicide, talks which frequently your own testimonials. Using botanical treatments We call upon conclude with pro-prescription the resources on page 19, do and mind-body Health Canada to drug solutions. Parents should be further research and share it therapies won’t immediately made fully aware that this trend with your group. www.boilingfrog.ca be prescribed issue safety is increasing and be allowed promotes, distributes and as long advisories and encouraged to weigh in on develops independent as most for all whether they feel it is appropriate Share this paper with people multi-media materials. research in the school curriculum. you know and love, as well and doctors’ antidepressant as your church, community continuing drugs, which We implore the media and centre, doctor, etc. Invite education is would include the the justice system to take note people affected by depression • Join our email list! – tell us sponsored by risks of suicidal ideation of the serious, ongoing role of to talk with you about it. what city you live in.) pharmaceutical and violence as well as antidepressants in violence and Destroy the stigma that • Send us a donation-please! companies. other reactions, suicide. surrounds mental health. • Drop us a comment. stating how often • Send us your testimonial. We understand health to such reactions We call for national encompass mind, body and occur. These Parliamentary Hearings on Share with us your actions. This publication is available spirit. We can’t be healthy on safety advisories antidepressant drugs to explore We’ll act as a coordinating online at www.Greenspiration. an ailing planet. We can rise should also include the nature and extent of harm body and keep the ideas org. Hard copies are available above the pharmaceutical information on many Canadians have suffered as a moving around. Email: by donation. Help us spread paradigm because we are withdrawal, adverse result their prescription, with the [email protected] the word. more than biochemical reaction reporting, aim of preventing harm. beings. We choose to and alternative, Email: [email protected] 92 Manor Drive, Sherwood Park Alberta, Canada, T8A 2J1 www.Greenspiration.org

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20 Depression Expression: raising questions about antidepressants 2006