The NIMH's CATIE trial of antipsychotics for adult schizophrenia is regularly understood to have shown that atypical antipsychotics are "no better" than the old standard antipsychotics. The CATIE study was one of several government-funded trials, here in the United States and in the United Kingdom, to come to that finding. But another conclusion to draw... Continue Reading →
The dark underbelly of antipsychotics
By Vince Bloem Many non-medical personnel are making decisions related to the use of psychiatric drugs for children and adults. These may be poorly informed about these substances and may be alarmed by the negative outcomes they see daily in their client base. Straight answers to simple questions on this subject are incredibly hard to... Continue Reading →
Undiagnosing myself
(2013) I sometimes want to take down old posts because they no longer convey how I feel, but I realize that they may still be helpful to people who are going through something similar now. The journey got me to where I am today, it’s just odd to have some of it in writing here... Continue Reading →
Neuroleptics: The New Magic Potion?
Update 2026: Since this was posted in 2009 we've seen the truth of this evolve. Drugs like abilify and seroquel are routinely used to help just about anyone sleep, for example. Neuroleptics, also categorized as antipsychotics are the new Benzos, really. Benzodiazepines got a bad rap and so they had to be replaced by something. Satire by the gifted psychiatrist and scientist, turned poet: Grace Jackson MD - author of Drug-Induced Dementia: a perfect crime (link included) Neuroleptics for Everyone
How to reduce deaths associated with neuroleptics (anti-psychotic) medications
By Ron Unger At least here and there, mental health authorities are recognizing that it is a problem that people in the public mental health system are dying 25 years earlier than the average person, and they are starting to talk about it. (For more information on these death rates, see this power point presentation)... Continue Reading →
Clozaril — trying to rear it’s ugly head again
The news has been all over about a Finnish study that suggests Clozaril is a safer drug. The generic story in Reuters here. Critical commentary by Philip Dawdy at Furious Seasons here. (no longer on the net, copied below) July 13, 2009 Finnish Researcher Claims Clozaril Safer Than Other Antipsychotics By Philip Dawdy A study is... Continue Reading →
Link Between Neuroleptics and Increased Breast Cancer
Metabolic syndromes are now being associated with doubling the risk of breast cancer. Neuroleptics (the atypical antipsychotics) often cause metabolic syndromes. SSRIs have more recently been implicated as well.
FDA considers approval of hard-core tranquilizers for children
Neuroleptic and other very serious adult psychiatric drugs have been being used "off-label" for children for a very long time. They're now considering officially approving them. From boston.com: Three blockbuster psychiatric drugs currently approved for adults also appear to work in adolescents, though federal health officials have concerns about their side effects. The Food and... Continue Reading →
39 psych drugs I’ve taken
You think maybe something wasn’t quite right? This journey started the summer of 1985 and is about to end this summer of 2009. I have been withdrawing the past 5 years. Nothing ever did work and in retrospect much made me worse, hence the withdrawal process that began five years ago of which I am at the tail end. Many times on the “trials” of these drug
Atypical Antipsychotics are the New SSRIs
By Jessica Firger: bio and website here November, 2008 A submission made by the author which she wrote while in grad school. Atypical Antipsychotics are the New SSRIs A women walks along a beach, the sky is grey, the waves hit the shore with a tumultuous splash. She tugs her jacket just a bit closer... Continue Reading →
Dear family and friends
I wrote this to my family and friends yesterday, many of whom know very little about what is going on with me. Dear family and friends, Some of you know some of this and some of you don't. I have reached a point in my detox where I cannot go on without professional care. I've... Continue Reading →