Depression Expression in This Issue
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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