Trauma that is held in the body over time freezes...the healing process requires defrosting...it can be painful...physically and emotionally. (it's also well worth the trouble!) … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Trauma and your body
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction Part 2, and why I still limit engagement on the internet
I introduce the work of Dan Neuffer in another post. He's done a brilliant job documenting and explaining how the autonomic nervous system appears to be of foundational concern for CFS, ME and fibromyalgia. I made the link that it's clear that protracted psychiatric withdrawal syndromes, too, also fall into his theory very neatly. It's worth reading the initial post and viewing Dan's videos that are in that post. His book is excellent too and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the issues should read it. I've not seen anyone else pull together so many of the issues I think about and talk about on this blog in one dynamic whole. What a joy to find it. He understands deeply how everything matters. This holistic understanding of our natures and particularly this illness, is the cornerstone to how I'm healing. I share my healing story in the article on Mad in America here: Everything Matters: a Memoir From Before, During and After Psychiatric Drugs … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Less is often more when it comes to medicine
The Agenda asks: are patients over treated and overprescribed in modern health care? The second of two programs looking at the modern realities of medicine. In support: A medical system where patient harm is part of standard care, yes, here in the USA … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Psychiatric labels and the bigotry/prejudice attached to them
I get really tired of the stickiness of psychiatric labels. In spite of the fact that they are used inappropriately all the time, once people are labeled it's very hard to lose the label and the bigotry and prejudice that accompanies the label. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
The Chemical Imbalance, Genetics & Biology of Bipolar Disorder: Myths of Psychiatry
Most, if not all of what most people think about the relationship between genetics, chemical imbalance theory and bipolar disorder is pure myth. This video explains why. (and a collection of links to posts on the chemical imbalance myth) … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Sacred science: shamanism, plant medicine, spiritual ceremonies
“The Sacred Science” follows eight people from all different walks of life, with varying physical and psychological ailments, as they embark on a one-month healing journey into the heart of the Amazon jungle.
Musings on that which gets called mental illness. What is it really?
There is often a debate that goes on between those who embrace psychiatry and those who are critical of it...and everyone inbetween for that matter too...as to whether or not mental illness is real. The spectrum of where one stands on the issue of psychiatry is really very broad and diverse though people like to believe it's always an either/or proposition. Little in life is that black and white even if it's easier to imagine it to be the case.
So. Mental illness. Is it real?
As I suggested above the answer is not a simple yes or no. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Anesthesia and Brain Health: Multiple Drug Sensitivity
From Science Direct: Concerns about anesthesia's impact on the brain Yes, thank you. Anesthesia has always messed me up. I avoid it if at all possible now because now it's much worse for me and even dangerous. Many people in psych drug withdrawal and those with withdrawal syndromes in general become acutely sensitive to many drugs. Anesthesia can pose big problems for us...be aware.
Redefining mental illness — Robert Whitaker and Allen Frances on Al Jazeera TV (video included)
Inside Story Americas, with presenter Shihab Rattansi, discusses with guests: Dr Allen Frances, former chair of the psychiatry department at Duke University and author of the book Saving Normal; and Robert Whitaker, a journalist and author of the book Anatomy of an Epidemic. … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Schizophrenia: A drop of sunshine
It may be one word, but it immediately conjures up multiple connotations - mad, incurable, violent, suicidal, chemical imbalances, crazy, a lifelong condition, an inevitable dependency on Medicines. This film questions this negative mainstream view of the condition, and wonders if an alternative destiny for a person with a diagnosis is possible. It charts out the story of Reshma Valliappan, who now lives a fulfilling life, free of medicines. The film explores a controversial, but ultimately empowering, view of the condition, which a small minority of brave psychologists and psychiatrists are beginning to embrace across the world. It also proposes a contrarian approach towards treatment for the condition, where the patient is encouraged and equipped to become an equal partner in the process of healing. (entire film available to view here) with additional commentary and information … [click on title for the rest of the post]
Chronic illness: legacy effect from psych meds
"Aside from dead bodies,we know that many of those who “benefit” will have enduring problems from physical dependence and other legacy effects from treatment. This is not effectiveness as the 1962 regulations envisaged. We have ended up instead in a world in which hints of an effect are used to gain market entry for drugs and when we use these drugs mindlessly on the basis that they are effective, if the RCT evidence is to be believed, we produce greater disability in the long run than if we never had them. The effects may turn out to be worse than if we had encouraged chronic alcohol intake."