Fact number 1: A person can be harmed by taking a neuroleptic, better known as an anti-psychotic, drug.
Fact number 2: The longer a person is maintained on a neuroleptic drug, the greater the likelihood is that such a person will be harmed by the drug he or she is taking.
We are currently experiencing an epidemic of iatrogenic, or physician caused, diseases in the mental health field.
Neuroleptic drugs can cause a progressive and often irreversible neurological disease, affecting motor function, known as tardive dyskinesia, as well as other related neurological diseases.
The newer atypical neuroleptic drugs, developed to have fewer side effects than the original neuroleptic drugs, have been found to cause a slew of health problems ranging from obesity to diabetes to heart conditions.
Recent findings showing the death rates for people labeled mentally ill occur on average 25 years earlier than those for the rest of the population have been attributed to the introduction of these newer atypical neuroleptic drugs.
The older neuroleptic drugs kill people, too, only not nearly as efficiently.
How can the health be improved, and the lifespans be lengthened, of people in mental health treatment?
If doctors stopped prescribing these neuroleptic drugs, not only would the health of patients improve, but their lifespans would be lengthened.
The new omnibus law on the books in the Commonwealth of Virginia, after bringing up drug treatment, also mentions “other appropriate treatments”.
I see an opportunity here that any astute attorney should be able to exploit to good advantage.
We need here in the Commonwealth of Virginia what we don’t have right now. We need more treatment options for people in mental health treatment than the option of being drugged into an early grave.
Duh!
January 25, 2010 at 12:30 pm |
Is there a list somewhere of doctors who will help you get off of these drugs?
January 25, 2010 at 4:04 pm |
There is the MindFreedom Directory of Alternatives, and the International Guide to Alternative Mental Health at Safe Harbour. You could browse either of those two directories for something in your area.
You may also want to check out the free downloadable Harm Reduction Guide To Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs & Withdrawal at the Icarcus Project website.
Then, if you get a chance, you could always order Peter Lehmann’s book, Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs.
November 3, 2010 at 9:43 pm |
Good post and very true. Peter Lehmans book seems like a great recommendation, knowledge is power they say. May you be at peace.
November 3, 2010 at 10:03 pm |
No less a place than Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, seems to think so, too. They just awarded Peter Lehman with an Honorary Degree at the end of this September. You can read all about it by clicking the hyperlink below.
From Psychiatric Inmate to Honorary Doctor: Peter Lehmann wins Honorary Doctorate
November 4, 2010 at 1:42 am
Very cool.