Psychiatric Drugs Causing Compulsive Violence

[Monica]

Medications were designed to alleviate symptoms, not cure mental illness.

Exactly! Which is why allopathic drugs, though necessary in some acute situations, usually have side effects, and those side effects can be quite severe. They just shift around the problem somewhere else.

But even when looking at their effectiveness at treating the symptoms, studies show they work only slightly better than placebo. (This is detailed in one of the videos linked below...I forgot which.)

I think it's misleading to make blanket statements such as "psychiatric drugs causing compulsive violence." There are many factors that play out that was not discussed in the videos and articles. Using an antidepressant MAY lead to certain behaviors that MAY be violent.

If it happens in even a small percentage of the people taking them, then that's enough to incriminate these drugs.

First do no harm is supposed to be the medical industry's prime directive. But it has been thrown out the window long ago.

There are certain warning signs if a person is suicidal or homicidal, and the propensity for violence might have existed prior to taking medication.

1. There have been many documented cases of people who were just depressed, but very sweet, peaceful people who, according to their families, would never have been violent, were it not for the drugs. The violence, whether to self or other-self, was completely out of character. So it just doesn't quite cut it to say that they may have had a predisposition to violence.

2. But even if they did, then that's all the more reason those drugs should be re-evaluated and possibly discontinued altogether. The argument "but some had a predisposition" is also used in the vaccine argument. "Vaccines don't cause autism...some children are already susceptible to autism and they are the only ones who become autistic right after being injected." Well, ok, if that is true, then don't inject any children because it's impossible to know who will become autistic and who won't! It is the same here. Even IF it's true that some people are at higher risk for the violent 'side effects' then that should negate ANY use of them at all! That is, if the drug industry had any interest in following the prime directive.

Here are some ideas on how people may increase risks for adverse effects of psychotropic medications:

1) Misdiagnosis and prescription of the wrong drugs. E.g., Person with bipolar disorder takes certain types of antidepressant (that are meant for the treatment of depression and not meant for treatment of bipolar disorder) may increase the risk for adverse effects.

I saw a longer documentary:

Ex-Pharmaceutical Rep. Speaks Out

...in which a former drug rep states that misdiagnosis is rampant. There is just no way a doctor can fully comprehend the patient's complex mental state in a 15-minute office visit.

More:

Antidepressants exposed

The Truth About Antidepressants #1

Why Antidepressants Do Not Work for Treating Depression

The Truth About Antidepressants #2

2) Mismanagement of medication. These powerful drugs were designed to be taken in a certain way. This means that people taking these drugs must go to see their psychiatrist regularly and report any side effects to docs.

Need to...
*Following directions: Medications must be taken as prescribed - if it says take once daily you take them once daily.

*Monitor & report changes: Any changes in mood, thoughts, or behaviors etc., MUST be reported to attending physician or mental health professionals. They rely on their clients to tell them about any changes to mood/behavior/thoughts so that they may adjust dosages and/or change medications as necessary.

*Discontinuing meds: If someone plans to stop taking their meds they MUST consult with a doctor or other healing practitioner. My friend started yoga when she went off her antidepressants and that worked for her (her condition had complex set of conditions and moderately severe mental health condition, but she is a tough lady. She had her alternative healing & support group in place when she stopped her meds).

3) Going to therapy: Studies have shown pretty consistently that people do better when they take medication while going to therapy (doesn't need to be psychotherapy necessarily).

4) Having adequate social support and social network system that will look out for person taking meds.

5) Making informed decisions about taking medication. Need to do research and get all the information. This also means knowing the risks and knowing what to do when person feels something is changing or condition is getting worse.

All of these guidelines presuppose that the person is mentally and emotionally lucid enough to follow guidelines! Which is just absurd!

All of these guidelines fail to take into consideration that a depressed person tends to not follow guidelines.

Why? Because...they're depressed!

One could just as easily construct a list of natural guidelines for a depressed person, such as:

1. Exercise
2. Get sunlight
3. Take Omega 3's
4. Take vitamin D3
5. Get plenty of sleep
6. Drink ionized water
7. Talk to a friend or counselor
8. Take bluegreen algae, St. John's Wort, Kava Kava, etc.
9. Remove mercury amalgam fillings
10. Avoid junk foods
11. Monitor one's mental state and report any changes

All of these things have been proven to help with depression.If a depressed person did all those things, they probably would no longer be depressed and wouldn't need drugs in the first place!

So what's the problem then? The problem is that severely depressed people don't even feel good enough to do the very things that will help them! They might agree, "ok I'll get some sun...I'll exercise..." with good intentions, but then their depression kicks in and they lose their motivation. That's a hallmark symptom of depression! Depressed people lack the initiative to follow ANY list of guidelines!

Ask anyone who had a family member who was depressed, if the depressed person remembered to take their fish oil capsules that their family lovingly left in a cup on the kitchen counter for them. Ask them if the depressed person remembered to sunbathe on their own, or even was willing to do it when prompted...remembered to use the treadmill that's right there in the living room...

Here is the answer you'll get: "No, s/he wouldn't take the supplements I got for them...I had to actually hand the capsules to them, and nag them to swallow them. If I done do that, they don't get taken. If I don't insist s/he get some sun, it doesn't happen...s/he will say they don't feel like sunbathing or going for a walk...even though that's the very thing that will make them feel better! They don't even feel good enough to do anything at all...much less remember on their own to take their supplements at designated times."

So to expect them to take powerful drugs at designated times, and have the presence of mind to monitor their condition...ain't happening.

The sad part is that doctors know this. So for them to expect a depressed person to take their meds correctly, report any changes, etc. is simply unrealistic. It's like expecting someone with a broken leg to run a race!

So they prescribe these powerful, potentially dangerous drugs to the very people who, because of their condition, are unable to recognize the risk factors!