-
-
2,500 antidepressant-related murders and violent incidents
A shockingly long list of violent crimes perpetuated by those under the influence of anti-depressants, including many school shootings.
Image: http://ahrp.blogspot.com/ A shockingly long list of violent crimes perpetuated by those under the influence of anti-depressants, including many school shootings... more -
Is there a correlation between psychiatric drug use and school massacres?
In September 2005, following confirmation that Red Lake Indian Reservation school shooter, Jeff Weise, was under the influence of the antidepressant Prozac, the National Foundation of Women Legislators, together with American Indian tribal leaders, called for a Congressional investigation into the correlation between psychiatric drug use and school massacres.
Congress has yet to investigate the role of psychiatric drugs relating to school shootings despite international drug regulators warning these drugs can cause mania, psychosis, hallucinations, suicide and homicidal ideation.
At least eight of the recent school shooters were under the influence of such drugs, and according to media reports, investigators working on the Virginia Tech school shootings, Cho Seung-Hui may also have been taking drugs for "depression."
Filmmaker Michael Moore has also called for a federal investigation into school shooters and psychiatric drugs In September 2005, following confirmation that Red Lake Indian Reservation school shooter, Jeff Weise, was under the influence of the ... more -
Antidepressants impair driving ability in the depressed
In a controlled test, researchers found that a combination of the mental illness and the medication led to the deterioration in their driving ability.
"They are far more affected that people taking antidepressants who did not report continuing symptoms of depression," it said.
The 60 participants were asked to complete a variety of driving manoeuvres, including reacting to brake lights or traffic signals while being distracted by cyclists, speed limit signs, animals or other hazards.
The simulation tested the ability to steer, concentrate and scan the road for obstacles.
The study found that of the 31 participants who were taking anti-depressants, those who reported a high level of depressive symptoms, performed significantly worse on several of the tasks.
Test subjects who were taking the medicines but were not depressed performed no worse than non-medicated individuals.
The research, led by pyschologists Holly J. Dannewitz PhD and Thomas Petros PhD, of the University of North Dakota, found that one's mood plays a greater role than medication in affecting the ability to perform complex tasks.
"Individuals taking antidepressants should be aware of the possible cognitive effects as [they] may affect performance in social academic and work settings," wrote researchers.
"However, it appears that mood is correlated with cognitive performance, more so than medication use." In a controlled test, researchers found that a combination of the mental illness and the medication led to the deterioration in their ... more -
Take two Prozac and e-mail me in the morning
Ah, the promise of e-mail! The minute I started giving out my address to my patients, I fantasized about how much time I would save on routine phone calls and how clear and unambiguous the communication would be.
Indeed, there was a honeymoon period. Could I change a Monday appointment for Wednesday? Of course. Would I phone in a renewal of Prozac? With pleasure. This was really neat: no more phone tag with patients, just simple requests with simple solutions.
Not for long.
"Dear Dr. Friedman," one patient e-mailed at 3 a.m. "I am having dark thoughts and wonder if I should increase my antidepressant. Can you let me know what you think?"
It was 8:30 that morning when I opened my e-mail and read her message with alarm. What exactly were "dark thoughts"? I wasn't sure, but I had to assume the worst — suicidal feelings or thoughts — and called her immediately.
She came in later that afternoon and explained that she felt bleak and hopeless and thought she and her family might be better off with her dead.
"Why didn't you call me right away?" I asked, as I recall the conversation.
Read more... Ah, the promise of e-mail! The minute I started giving out my address to my patients, I fantasized about how much time I would save on... more -
America's Medicated Army
The new issue of Time magazine has an interesting article about antidepressant usage by the U.S. troops. This is an excerpt from the article:
"For the first time in history, a sizable and growing number of U.S. combat troops are taking daily doses of antidepressants to calm nerves strained by repeated and lengthy tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The medicines are intended not only to help troops keep their cool but also to enable the already strapped Army to preserve its most precious resource: soldiers on the front lines. Data contained in the Army's fifth Mental Health Advisory Team report indicate that, according to an anonymous survey of U.S. troops taken last fall, about 12% of combat troops in Iraq and 17% of those in Afghanistan are taking prescription antidepressants or sleeping pills to help them cope. Escalating violence in Afghanistan and the more isolated mission have driven troops to rely more on medication there than in Iraq, military officials say."
"At a Pentagon that keeps statistics on just about everything, there is no central clearinghouse for this kind of data, and the Army hasn't consistently asked about prescription-drug use, which makes it difficult to track. Given the traditional stigma associated with soldiers seeking mental help, the survey, released in March, probably underestimates antidepressant use. But if the Army numbers reflect those of other services — the Army has by far the most troops deployed to the war zones — about 20,000 troops in Afghanistan and Iraq were on such medications last fall. The Army estimates that authorized drug use splits roughly fifty-fifty between troops taking antidepressants — largely the class of drugs that includes Prozac and Zoloft — and those taking prescription sleeping pills like Ambien."
"In some ways, the prescriptions may seem unremarkable. Generals, history shows, have plied their troops with medicinal palliatives at least since George Washington ordered rum rations at Valley Forge. During World War II, the Nazis fueled their blitzkrieg into France and Poland with the help of an amphetamine known as Pervitin. The U.S. Army also used amphetamines during the Vietnam War." The new issue of Time magazine has an interesting article about antidepressant usage by the U.S. troops. This is an excerpt from the a... more -
Antidepressants may cause lack of sensation in your crotch
Not being able to enjoy sex? Now that is something to be depressed about.
-
Dirt is the new Prozac
This is a really interesting article! We all need to get out into our gardens and get our hands in the dirt--Oh yeah...
‘Friendly’ bacteria activated a group of neurons that produce the brain chemical serotonin.
Treatment of mice with a ‘friendly’ bacteria, normally found in the soil, altered their behavior in a way similar to that produced by antidepressant drugs, reports research published in the latest issue of Neuroscience.
These findings, identified by researchers at the University of Bristol and colleagues at University College London, aid the understanding of why an imbalance in the immune system leaves some individuals vulnerable to mood disorders like depression.
Dr Chris Lowry, lead author on the paper from Bristol University, said: “These studies help us understand how the body communicates with the brain and why a healthy immune system is important for maintaining mental health. They also leave us wondering if we shouldn’t all be spending more time playing in the dirt.” This is a really interesting article! We all need to get out into our gardens and get our hands in the dirt--Oh yeah... ... more -
Your sunscreen makes my alligator sad...
Your sunscreen and birth control pills may be affecting the size and efficacy of alligator penises, among other things. On a positive note, your Prozac makes mussels happy.
From the article:
"Most people don't see a stockpile of environmental contaminants when they look in their bathroom cabinets, but pharmaceuticals and personal care products contain thousands of chemicals that could impact aquatic life. ...
Unlike agricultural and industrial pollutants, chemicals in PPCPs [pharmaceuticals and personal care products] enter the environment at low but often continual levels by thousands or millions of people in towns and cities around the world.
Some of these chemical compounds are endocrine disruptors that act like hormones and can interfere with reproduction.
Perhaps the most widely publicized study of the impact of endocrine disruptors came in the 1990s when researchers reported male alligators with abnormally small penises and high blood levels of female hormones in a Florida lake with a declining alligator population.
Mitra said scientists have discovered that fish stopped reproducing within a few weeks after low levels of the active ingredient in birth control pills was added to experimental lakes.
Endocrine disruptors aren't found only in oral contraceptives and therapeutic hormones though.
Preservatives called parabens, found in many shampoos and sunscreens, are endocrine disruptors also.
And, at North Carolina State University, scientists found that adding a small amount of a common antidepressant to the water altered the reproductive behavior of freshwater mussels.
Other research is looking at whether low levels of prescription antibiotics could promote pathogen resistance in aquatic species." Your sunscreen and birth control pills may be affecting the size and efficacy of alligator penises, among other things. On a positive ... more -
Prozac May Cure Lazy Eye
The Scotsman reports that the anti-depressant may cure a type of visual impairment.
Amblyopia, known as "lazy eye", causes one eye to be weaker than the other because it was not used enough in early childhood. The Scotsman reports that the anti-depressant may cure a type of visual impairment. ... more -
Scandal, Intrigue on Capitol Hill: Pregnant Moms, Drugs, Baby Zombie Uprising
A new law being considered in the U.S. Congress would attempt to prevent postpartum depression in new moms by allowing doctors to prescribe SSRI antidepressant drugs while they're still pregnant.
SSRI drugs have never been approved for use on newborns, yet this new MOTHERS Act will effectively drug unborn babies and newborns with drugs like Prozac. This will certainly have an impact on their developing brains, and the bulk of the research available today shows that the impact will be negative. Will these children be more prone to violent thoughts and behavior? Will they contemplate suicide at younger ages? And what will be the impact of the drugs on the mother?
This legislation is being aggressively pushed by pro-pharma front groups in an effort to expand the customer base for SSRI drugs by targeting pregnant women as new "customers" for the chemicals. A new law being considered in the U.S. Congress would attempt to prevent postpartum depression in new moms by allowing doctors to pres... more -
New study: 'Prozac does not work'
Bad news for the 40 million people who take Prozac. It and similar drugs are no better for treating depression than placebos, according to a major review of the antidepressants available today. "The study examined all available data on the drugs, including results from clinical trials that the manufacturers chose not to publish at the time. The trials compared the effect on patients taking the drugs with those given a placebo or sugar pill. When all the data was pulled together, it appeared that patients had improved - but those on placebo improved just as much as those on the drugs."
Not surprisingly, the drug companies who make a number of the drugs targeted in this study are standing behind their claims that the drugs do work, with "very positive" benefits.
So once again it's scientists versus drug companies, with a multi-billion dollar industry and people's well being in the balance. Do you think that these pills work? Or is it a case of power of the mind? Bad news for the 40 million people who take Prozac. It and similar drugs are no better for treating depression than placebos, accordin... more
-
related topics
Prozac
Contributors (40)
Prozac
