Pam Chubbuck, PhD, LICSW, LPC
I was moved and inspired to have met Peter Breggin, MD, one weekend in March at a professional conference. Peter Breggin is the first person with whom I have felt a strong heart connection that made me know I had to sit in his presence in the same way that I was drawn to be with John Pierrakos 45 years ago. Peter, a kind, visionary, humble, spiritual and power, is called The Conscience of American Psychiatry by many of his colleagues who authored a book about him by that name. When I first stood face to face with Peter Breggin tears of open hearted gratitude sprang to my eyes. Like John Pierrakos, Peter Breggin is a man of love.
On the conference program were also top scientist, Professor Peter Gotzsche, MD, Head of Cochrane Center, researcher, author, and Robert Whitaker, prize winning journalist. All three men warm, grounded, visionaries, have had an international influence for the betterment of psychiatry, psychology and mental health care. I fell in love with all of them.
What do all three of these brilliant, scholarly, caring men tell us about psychiatric drugs?
In a nutshell:
Psychiatric drugs are harmful.
Psychiatric drugs do not fix any brain dysfunction – in fact it has never been proven that emotional or mental issues have any brain dysfunctions – drugs actually cause brain dysfunction.
Do not take psychiatric medications.
They are harmful when in use and most doctors do not know how to help people get off of these drugs.
Do not refer a client to a psychiatrist or medical doctor for medication.
Do not go to or send someone to a mental hospital where there will surely be drugs given.
Warning! Drug Companies Lie. Most doctors do not know the dangerous truths about psychiatric drugs.
If you or clients are on psychotropic medications please inform yourself about the international research that shows these drugs are all harmful. Then find out how to slowly wean off or assist your client to wean off, these dangerous mind altering drugs.
What to do if you don’t know what to do?
Good psychotherapy, love and empathy must replace psychiatric medications.
How to help yourself? Start with:
Eat well, exercise; talk with a therapist or coach who will not get rattled and does not use or believe drugs cure mental distress and are harmless. 12 step meetings help, church groups may help. Be with friends and peers who realize drugs are not helpful in the long run . There are Safe Houses where people may go to rest and be safe when needing help.
Both therapists and clients must research the truth about psychotropic medications. If you are a therapist use the above suggestions and find out about alternatives that are proven to work better than medications and have no “side effects”. Side effects are really effects of the medications and are often cause disabilities and are sometimes deadly.
Next month I will write more about what to help yourself and to stay off psychiatric drugs – or help your clients stay off these hazardous drugs.
Please look up these very informative websites:
Perter Breggin’s website www.empathictherapy.org
Robert Whitaker’s excellent website www.madinamerica.com
International Research Group www.cochrane.org
Books to start with!
Deadly Medicines and Organized Crime: How Big Pharma Has Corrupted Healthcare, by Peter Gotzsche, MD
Psychiatry Under the Influence, by Robert Whitaker
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal: A Guide for Prescribers, Therapists, Patients, and Their Families, by Peter Breggin, MD
Important to Read!
Toxic Psychiatry: Why Therapy, Empathy, and Love Must Replace the Drugs, Electroshock, and Biochemical Theories of the “New Psychiatry” ~ by Peter Breggin, MD
A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives, by Kelly Brogan, MD