As the term "holistic" has been popularized, it tends to emphasize wholeness and so it is an uplifting and enlarging concept. But it also means embracing complexity, the unknown, and our inability to control things. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Indian scientist and environmentalist Vandana Shiva addresses the recent U.S. Supreme Court case pitting an Indiana farmer against Monsanto, the world's largest seed company. The soybean farmer bought and planted a mix of unmarked grain typically used for animal feed, and the plants that grew contained the popular herbicide-resistant genetic trait known as Roundup Ready, which Monsanto guards closely with patents. Monsanto accused Bowman of using their technology without paying for it. Shiva has long been critical of Monsanto and the movement to genetically engineer and patent seeds. She points to how these changes have impacted India's farming community. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Alto Strata speaks at the Occupy Psychiatry Protest at the American Psychiatric Association conference. She tells her story of withdrawal and protracted withdrawal syndrome. And then shares her hard earned wisdom about how to more safely discontinue psychiatric drugs. Alto runs the most comprehensive psychiatric drug withdrawal support board on the web now -- Surviving Antidepressants -- which also discusses all other psych meds. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
When I interviewed Gary Greenberg, author of "The Book of Woe: The DSM and the Unmaking of Psychiatry" for Madness Radio last month, I knew it would be great to invite him to an event at Powell's bookstore in Portland. Powell's and Portland Hearing Voices have co-sponsored Robert Whitaker and Ethan Watters in the past, and when Gary got into town we once again filled the store's upstairs lecture room for an awesome and thoughtful evening. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
at the moment your thoughts arise as trouble remember that Mother Compassion, Naked Awareness, is taking care — you are such Awareness alone, so just relax in your Self … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Grief is the human angel in the world. Grief is not in the order of despair, depression, you know, “I give up.” Grief is the deep getting of it, and the deep being gotten by it. Grief is the willingness to be claimed by a story bigger than the one you wish for. So in that sense grief is a willingness to know. That’s what it is. Grief is the human angel in the world. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
UPDATED POST click here: Ethan Watters: The Globalization of the American Psyche, crazy like us This post is a marker for subscribers (only) to check the above updated post...it's the only way I can call attention to what I'm highlighting on the home page at Beyond Meds today for the subscribers of the blog. This is what... Continue Reading →
One of the best known philosophers in the UK, Julian Baggini will ask the question 'Is There A Real You?' He will draw on the research supporting his latest book 'The Ego Trick' and challenge our audience to reflect on their understanding of the 'Self'. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
My Grand Rounds talk at OHSU Department of Psychiatry was both video archived on their website, as well as live broadcast to several remote sites, including Oregon State Hospital. Much of the presentation followed my APA talk last October, compressed into an impossibly short timeframe made even shorter by a late start. With one or two exceptions, the crowd filling the lecture room was very welcoming and positive; it was an overall inspiring experience for me to see so much openness to change. A special thank you to Dr. Neil Falk, who helped out when OHSU asked that I have a doctor as sponsor for my talk. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
I present myself as the "empowered patient" on this blog for a reason. I advocate for many who are being harmed and need to learn how to advocate for themselves. The reason I do it well, however, is because I was a mental health professional for so many years. That means I know how professionals think and I know what and how much it takes to become empowered as a patient. The result of this for me, and it's very sad really, is that I continue to be treated like a patient by far too many of my colleagues. It's really very depressing that there is such a thing..."being treated like a patient," that is. But it's really clear when one is approached with that undeniable sort of sickly sweet condescension or alternately, complete dismissal. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
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