Do you believe I’m a Scientologist?

Posted by Andy Alt on January 11, 2009

The following is a comment I wrote on the post at Antidepressants, physical dependence, and semantics. To read the full discussion, visit the preceding link.

daedalus2u:

A lot of the bias against antidepressants is by people who have never been depressed and have no clue what it is actually like.

Based on that statement, it’s clear you didn’t read much, if any, of the discussion on this page. It includes comments from people who are “biased” against medication.

It is a form of bullying; an attempt to deny effective treatment to people who are depressed so that the depressed person is easier to bully and exploit. This is why scientologists are so against it. Depressed people are much easier to lure into their cult and exploit.

Has Cymbalta produced aggression?

Has Cymbalta produced aggression?
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

December 23, 2008

I posted this as a comment at CNN: Expert Q&A: Has Cymbalta produced aggression? To read the entire discussion, visit the preceding link.

People who have taken Cymbalta have reported to the FDA problems with SSRI discontinuation syndrome (also known as physical dependency). Laymen refer to it as addiction, but it’s different from addiction to narcotics, as members of the medical community will tell you. But If you do experience withdrawal symptoms, they can be worse than your symptoms of anxiety or depression, and worse than side effects.

There are also many bloggers who talk about their experience with Cymbalta and other SSRI medication.

On October 17, 2005, Eli Lilly expanded its warning about potential liver-related problems with Cymbalta. Make sure your doctor has ordered the appropriate tests. I’ve had doctors who failed to do that.

Reading is Still Fundamental

Reading is Still Fundamental
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:00pm CST

RIF Logo

NORTHFIELD – In the fourth edition of the American Heritage Dictionary (copyright 2001), definition one of “fundamental” states, “Basic; elementary…” Definition two states, “Of central importance; essential.”

Does anyone remember RIF? Stretched out it stands for Reading is Fundamental. A few months ago memories of RIF began to randomly appear in my head. Two weeks ago I searched on Google and found the Reading is Fundamental web site at http://www.rif.org.

Several Mental Health Items, News and Editorials

Several Mental Health Items, News and Editorials
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Oct 13, 2008 – I found several links related to mental health in the news when catching up with my RSS feeds. Instead of posting a link and excerpt, or commenting on a single article, I’ve included a few items of potential interest.

Regular readers of this site know I’m not particularly fond of medications, however, I appreciated the article by Michele St. Martin.

For the record, I’m not against medication or using it to treat the various types of existing mental illnesses. I understand and recognize that many people have benefited greatly from medication. What I’m against, in a nutshell, is over-prescribing, under-diagnosing, half-ass treatment, and against deceptive or intentionally misleading marketing practices.

Methinks Thou Doth Protest too Much | Non Humor

I posted the following text as a comment at http://logbase2.blogspot.com/2008/03/upping-anti-depressant.html

It’s in regards to the recent media flurry about the study which made claims that antidepressants were not much more effective than placebos.

Methinks Thou Doth Protest too Much
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Mar 30, 2008

The media had something to lose by broadcasting that story. Drug ads bring in major revenue. Open a Time or US News and World Report, You’ll see pharm ads no doubt about it. And TV networks show a fine share of drug ads. I was surprised at how many mainstream media outlets carried that story. It hit a nerve among many people because many of those treated have only wound up with side-effects or withdrawal symptoms to show for their time, money and trips to the pharmacy.

Comments about Prescription Drugs Found in Drinking Water across U.S.

Comments about Prescription Drugs Found in Drinking Water across U.S.
By Andy Alt

March 10, 2008 — People often complain that current events carry little good news. There’s always exceptions to the rule and today I’m excited to post about the revelation from the Associated Press which found prescription drugs in drinking water across the United States.

(AP) March 10, 2008 — A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones

You Won’t Find Sesame Street on MapQuest | Humor

You Won’t Find Sesame Street on MapQuest
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

Oct 10 2005 – Sesame Street must exist in an alternate universe. I recently asked a fellow, “Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street, where the air is sweet?” He gazed at me rather curiously and quickly walked away. I searched today, but couldn’t find Sesame Street on Google Earth or MapQuest. I would like to find this wondrous street, and perhaps live there even as a homeless man. I would very much like to live in a place where it’s sunny every day and be able to bask in the cool shade next to Oscar’s trash can.

Don’t be Paranoid of Risky Drugs

Don’t be Paranoid of Risky Drugs
By Andy Alt / Mental Dimensions

29 Sep 2005 – I heard on the news that a warning label will now be issued for a particular ADHD drug. It can increase risk of suicide in children. I like to read warning labels because they contain letters and sometimes even numbers so it challenges my ears and helps improve my sense of smell. I think risks are important because there are famous people who make quotes like, “What’s life without risk?” I think that’s right because without risk people wouldn’t get anywhere. It’s good to risk suicide so your child can think better because otherwise they will have problems with mental clarity and that would affect how well they do their homework. Also, if they don’t take the risk of the medication causing or increasing suicidal thoughts then all the kids that died during the testing phase and after the FDA approval of the drug will have died in vain. It’s important that people do not die in vain and can have clear thoughts and good behavior.