There’s an interesting new article by Paula Caplan here. It discusses the harmful effects of psychiatric “diagnoses,” including the fact that because of these labels, people have lost their “… jobs, custody of children, health insurance, and the right to make decisions about their medical and legal affairs.” Paula also mentions a petition she created… Continue Reading
The International DSM-5 Response Committee
BACKGROUND I recently wrote a post called DSM-5: Another Step in the Wrong Direction. In that article I argued that DSM-5 was simply another step in the APA’s ongoing agenda to medicalize all human problems and to legitimize the administration of drugs as the front line “solution” to these problems. I also expressed concern that… Continue Reading
Mass Murders and Mental Health
The Newtown mass murders have generated widespread demand for improved “mental health” services, and even for mandatory mental health screenings for schoolchildren. The notion embedded in these demands is that the perpetrators are “mentally ill,” and that early identification will enable psychiatrists to treat (i.e. drug) them before they can do any damage. As I’ve… Continue Reading
Withdrawal from Benzodiazepines
Important updates on this subject can be found at the posts listed at the bottom of the post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I’ve recently come across an article by Matt Samet called Social Vacuum. It’s dated March 2013, and was published on Robert… Continue Reading