Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal: A Guide for Prescribers, Therapists, Patients and their Families 1st Edition

Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal is yet another magnificent work penned from the equally magnificent and most courageous hand of Dr. Peter Breggin. More than just a practical critique of his chosen professions of psychiatry and psychotherapy, Dr. Breggin's new book not only acknowledges the innumerable flaws with the scientific "evidence" propagandized by institutional psychiatry, but offers useful information on the true terror of psychiatric drugs, including the horrendous side effects and the uncomfortable, often lethal effects of withdrawal associated with extended use. Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal is a well-informed and well-researched guide that is, quite frankly, a must-read for pediatricians, physicians, psychiatrists, government arbiters, public and private health care practitioners, psychologists, school counselors, patient advocacy groups, mass media, and, most important, the families of loved ones indoctrinated by the skewed ideology and rose-colored pharmaceutical propaganda that psychiatric medications - poisons, if you will, are, indeed, safe and void of any harmful risks. Yes, Mr. Mulder, the truth is definitely out there.

I purchased the book in order to give me more information when I wean my patients off any psychotropic agent. I am frustrated (and so are patients) by how many drugs patients are prescribed to deal with psychiatric symptoms. Dr. Breggin has researched the drugs thoroughly and has taken the time to write about the side effects and problems the patient's brain experiences on the drug. This helps me as a physician to understand even more what symptoms to look for while the patient is on the drug and how serious the side effects from weaning might be. This is not information I will get from the pharmaceutical industry. And I want medically sound information, not simply information to scare me or my patient. I am grateful for Dr. Breggin's knowledge and skill in teasing out the pertinent facts for doctors as well as patients. Excellent reference book! I know I will refer to it repeatedly.

This is a great book, especially if you want to SLOWLY come off of your meds. Shows the ins and outs of what you may face and addresses it quite clearly and thoroughly. I've been off all my meds for 6 months and I've been doing better than ever when in the past I had struggled so much that I had returned to taking the psych drugs. Never again! And this book will show you the right way to go about coming off your psych meds safely. Remember that coming off requires a slow taper. Personally, it took me 5 months to taper. The book teaches that it may take longer or less than that and will tell you the safest way to get off the meds. Can't say enough for Dr.Breggin or this book!

The information on how these drugs affect the brain is good. Its clearly written and easy to understand. The part on withdrawing from the drugs is seriously lacking. "The Ashton Manual" is much more informative on how to discontinue psychiatric drugs and symptoms of withdrawal.

OH MY GOD! This is a blessing from God!Just what I needed to know! This book should be mandatory reading for all healthcare professionals, and students alike, and anyone related to a person who is taking psychiatric drugs.So powerful from the very first lines of the book. Such a vast vault of knowledge!Just what I was looking for!Awesome!Totally Recommend this to everyone!

This is an excellent readable book for individuals on "mental health" medications and their families and for just about anyone else. The research is solid and balanced. Dr. Breggin doesn't take away the medication. His book fills a niche for consumers who want to step away from the medications and try other approaches.

My personal experience agrees with Breggin's negative view of antidepressants however given the heterogeneous nature of "depression" I don't think it is safe to conclude that they don't work for "depression." Additionally, it is not logical to conclude that depression has no pathological basis given that antidepressants are not any more effective than placebo. I think possibly depression is similar to migraines which have no known pathology either and yet are accepted an abnormal condition by neurologists.Despite agreeing with his negative view regarding drugs it is hard to say whether the drug created the problem or just exacerbated it. For example I have had a tendency toward psychosis(measured by MMPI) for much of my life however it wasn't until I tapered off of Wellbutrin that I experienced a florid psychosis which landed me in the hospital. I have also had chronic depression since age twelve and have had problems with my memory, focus, energy, sleep, appetite and motivation for many years prior to taking medication in my early twenties. Has the medication made these problems worse? I'm not so sure.His perspectives on psychiatric research are worth taking into consideration in order to have a more balanced view of "mental illness". The amount of times that Breggin refers to his own research seemed excessive.

Evidence WHY it is important to consider withdrawal of medications. Discusses issues and problems of long term psychiatric medication. Prepares the physician, family, and patient for realistic issues and difficulties with withdrawing the medication. Emphasizes the trials and tribulations that one will have to face during withdrawal as well as the safest way to start decreasing dosages.Wonderful & necessary addition to any physicians personal library. Very Useful. Since benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and sleep medications are prescribed so frequently.Note: Supportive nutritional and supplement therapies are not discussed.