12 Shocking Facts About the Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs
Every day, doctors and psychiatrists dole out behavior-modifying medicines for a variety of psychiatric disorders. The disorders range from depression and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) to bipolar and anxiety disorders. The sordid story behind how these medications work, how they come to market, and how they interfere with the lives of users is a complicated web. However, the next 12 facts will highlight the devastating story behind psychiatric drugs and how they affect millions of people in the United States alone.
The Dangers of Psychiatric Drugs
1. No Physical Test Can Prove the Existence of a "Mental Disorder"
No blood, urine, or chemical imbalance exam can test for the presence of a mental disease or illness. Even x-rays or brain scans can’t show the presence of a "mental disorder." [[1]] This leads many to believe that healthy patients have a great possibility of being diagnosed with supposed "disorders" even if they are only displaying minor symptoms. Many of these symptoms include stress and difficulty concentrating – issues that can often be chalked up as a natural response to everyday stress.
2. The Psychiatric Industry is a $330 Billion Industry
That's a huge number and many forces are at work to preserve and grow it. While most physicians are not mercenary in their approach to prescribing medications, there is an argument to be made for the possibility of a conflict of interest when it comes to the rise of psychiatric prescriptions. [[2]]
3. Worldwide, Over 100 Million People Take Psychiatric Drugs
That seems like an astoundingly high number. What's going on that so many among us feel the need to be medicated? [[3]]
4. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: 23 Soldiers and Vets Commit Suicide Every Day
The most shocking part of this statistic is that it exists despite the use of antidepressants. [[4]] These suicides are often due to post-traumatic stress disorder coupled with the inability to cope with civilian life. [[5]] So far, the solution has just been more psychiatric drugs.
5. Worldwide, 17 Million Children Take Psychiatric Drugs
To say that this is a dangerous epidemic is an understatement. Regulatory agencies in Europe, Australia, and the United States have issued warnings about the potential for anti-depressants to cause suicide or hostility and rage. [6]
6. 10 Million of These Kids are in the United States
That means the United States has 30% more children than the rest of the world on addictive stimulants, antidepressants, and other mind-altering drugs. [7] That's not a number one position to be proud of.
7. FDA Warnings Have Been Issued for Ritalin and Concerta
And they aren't alone, and other psychiatric stimulants have had similar warnings issued for their effects on children. [8] What's the concern? Well, for starters, these drugs may cause psychotic behavior, heart attack, stroke and sudden death. If that's not enough, add suicidal thoughts and inclinations toward violent behavior to the list.
8. Antidepressants Come With a Warning Label
In 2004, the FDA finally ordered a "black box" label on all antidepressants to warn of psychiatric drugs’ increasing suicide risk in children and adolescents. Being an adult, however, doesn't guarantee safety. In 2006, the FDA increased the age to include young adults up to the age of 25. [9]
9. Children Five and Under Are the Fastest Growing Group Being Prescribed Antidepressants
Think of all the kids under five you know – they're the target for these drugs. [10] Now picture this, from 1995-1999, antidepressant use increased 580% in ages 6 years and younger. It grew 151% in the 7-12 age group during the same time period. [11] Without action, it's only going to go up from there. Do you think children should take these drugs? Watch this video and decide for yourself...
10. 10% of Teens Abuse Ritalin and Adderall
That's according to a U.S. news report. [12] No surprise, these drugs have a tendency to be highly addictive. [13] Unfortunately, because kids are prescribed these drugs en masse, availability isn't much of an issue and they don't need to head over to skid row to pick this stuff up.
11. General Physicians Prescribe 70% of Psychotropic Drugs
No offense to family practice physicians, but should they be the ones prescribing the majority of these mind medicines? [14] Pragmatically, this statistic literally means that a majority of these drugs get used without a psychiatric evaluation to determine if they're necessary, appropriate, or safe.
12. Some Reports Show Antidepressants are No Better than Placebo
While published reports do show 94% effectiveness, taking a look at the total reports submitted to the FDA, only 50% reported positive outcomes. That being said, around 50% of patients would be better off taking a placebo. In addition, 31% of the 74 FDA-registered studies have never been published. [15] Sound like a complicated number soup yet? It is, a 2009 analysis showed traditional pharmaceutical drugs yield inconsistent results. [16]
A Final Thought...
While not everyone will succumb to the negative effects of psychiatric drugs, the risk of negative side effects cannot be ignored and should absolutely be thoroughly discussed and understood. In some cases, natural remedies for mood support may be a viable option. If you want to learn more about this insanity? You have to watch this video...
The Marketing of Madness: The Truth About Psychotropic Drugs
References (16)
- Paula J. Kaplan Psychiatry’s bible, the DSM, is doing more harm than good. The Washington Post. April 29th, 2012.
- Giovanni A. FavaFinancial conflicts of interest in psychiatry. World Psychiatry. February 2007; 6(1): 19-24.
- Lawrence A. Labbate MD, Maurizio Fava MD, Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, George W. Arana. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Handbook of Psychiatric Drug Therapy. April 18th, 2009.
- Valenstein M, Kim HM, Ganoczy D, Eisenberg D, Pfeiffer PN, Downing K, Hoggatt K, Ilgen M, Austin KL, Zivin K, Blow FC, McCarthy JF. Antidepressant agents and suicide death among US Department of Veterans Affairs patients in depression treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2012 Jun;32(3):346-53. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e3182539f11.
- Janet Kemp RN PhD, Robert Bossarte PhD. Suicide Data Report, 2012. Department of Veteran Affairs, Mental Health Services, Suicide Prevention Program. 2012.
- Morris J., Stone G. Children and psychotropic medication: a Cautionary Note. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 2011 Jul;37(3):299-306. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00178.x.
- Jacqueline A. Sparks, Barry L. Duncan. The Ethics and Science of Medicating Children. Ethical Human Psychiatry and Psychology, Volume 6, Number 1, Spring 2004.
- FDA. Medication Guide: Ritalin. (last accessed 2014-04-05)
- National Institute of Mental Health. Antidepressant Medication for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers. (last accessed 2014-04-05)
- Thomas Delate Ph.D., Alan J. Gelenberg, Ph.D., Valarie A. Simmons, M.S., Brenda A. Motheral, Ph.D. Trends in the Use of Antidepressants in a National Sample of Commercially Insured Pediatric Patients, 1998 to 2002. Psychiatric Services. A Journal of the American Psychiatric Association. 2004 Apr;55(4):387-91.
- Katherine S. Van Wormer, Fred H. Besthorn, Thomas Keefe. The High Cost of Rampant Consumerism - The Death of Personal Well-Being. Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Macro Level: Groups, Communities, and Organizations. January 16, 2007. pg. 232.
- Laxmaiah Manchikanti, MD. National Drug Control Policy and Prescription Drug Abuse: Facts and Fallacies. Pain Physician. 2007. 10:399-424
- W. Alexander Morton Pharm.D. and B.C.P.P., and Gwendolyn G. Stockton Pharm.D.Methylphenidate Abuse and Psychiatric Side Effects. Primary Care Companion, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. October 2000; 2(5): 159-164.
- Mojtabai R, Olfson M. Proportion of antidepressants prescribed without a psychiatric diagnosis is growing. Health Affairs. 2011 August;30(8):1434-42. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2010.1024.
- Turner et al. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008.
- Dr Andrea Cipriani PhD a d, Toshiaki A Furukawa MD b, Georgia Salanti PhD c, John R Geddes MD d, Julian PT Higgins PhD e, Rachel Churchill PhD g, Norio Watanabe PhD b, Atsuo Nakagawa MD h, Ichiro M Omori PhD b, Hugh McGuire MA f, Michele Tansella MD a, Corrado Barbui MD. Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 12 new-generation antidepressants: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis. The Lancet, Psychiatry, 29 January 2009.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
