Psych drugs; SSRIs; Anti-psychotics; cervical cancer

[angela bischoff]

Below find some excellent resources about psychiatric drugs, side effects,
withdrawing sensibly, and more. As well, a good article about cervical
cancer and the controversial HPV vaccine (also introduced in Canada, but
not mandatory for girls -- yet).

-angela
------------

1.
Making Sense of Coming off Psychiatric Drugs

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Making+sense/Making+sense+of+coming+off+psychiatric+drugs.htm

Why are so many people taking these drugs?
What's the argument against extensive use of these drugs?
Can I refuse medication?
Why do people have withdrawal problems?
Am I addicted?
How well will I cope with coming off?
What if my doctor doesn't agree to my withdrawal?
What's the best way to come off?
Half-lives
Support from your doctor
Making small reductions
Timing
When to slow down
Withdrawal effects
How can I tell the difference between withdrawal problems and relapse?
Minor tranquillisers
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Mood stabilisers
What sort of support should I look for?
What can I do to help myself?
What about friends and relatives?
Appendices
Minimum available doses and half-lives of psychiatric drugs
Psychiatric drugs that are available in liquid form
Equivalent doses
References
Useful organisations
Useful websites
Further reading

---------------------------

2.
SSRI Stories

http://www.ssristories.com/

This website is a <http://www.ssristories.com/index.php>collection of
1700+ news stories with the full media article available. These stories
have been collected over a period of years by two directors of the
International Coalition for Drug Awareness (ICFDA).  They experienced
firsthand the drugs' power to harm and want to save others from the fate
that befell them.

Their focus has been on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI
antidepressants), of which Prozac was the first, launched in December
1987. Other SSRIs are Zoloft, Paxil  (Seroxat), Celexa, Sarafem (Prozac in
a pink pill), Lexapro, and Luvox. These drugs are widely employed as first
line treatment for depression. Other antidepressants included in this list
are Remeron, Anafranil and the SNRIs Effexor, Serzone and Cymbalta as well
as the dopamine reuptake inhibitor antidepressant Wellbutrin (also
marketed as Zyban).

Even these 1700+ documented stories only represent the tip of an iceberg
since most stories do not make it into the media. There are 24 school
shootings/incidents, 44 road rage tragedies, over 370 murders, over 100
murder-suicides and other acts of violence included on the site.

----------------------------

3.
http://psychminded.co.uk/news/news2007/June07/people002.htm

People with schizophrenia not taking antipsychotics more likely to
recover, states research

June 13, 2007
by Angela Hussain

People diagnosed with schizophrenia who are not on antipsychotics
   are more likely to experience recovery than those taking the
   medication, according to an American study.*

Over 15 years, schizophrenia patients not on antipsychotics showed
   more periods of recovery than those taking antipsychotics, states a
   research paper in last month's Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.

Researchers reported that, after 10 years, 79% of patients on
   antipsychotics were psychotic, whereas 23% of those not on
   medication were psychotic. After 15 years, 65 per cent of patients
   on antipsychotics were psychotic, whereas only 28% of those not on
   medication were psychotic.

The study's authors - Martin Harrow and Thomas Jobe of the
   department of psychiatry at the University of Illinois in Chicago --
   concluded that "not all schizophrenia patients need to use
   antipsychotic medications continuously throughout their lives."

 They stated that certain patient characteristics -- such as a
   "favorable personality" -- helped those not on medication to
   experience recovery.

The study was on 145 patients - 64 diagnosed with schizophrenia,
   and a control of 81 patients who had another psychotic diagnosis,
   such as paranoid disorder.

The research was part-funded by America's National Institute of
   Mental Health.


Read for yourself:
Abstract of "Factors Involved in Outcome and Recovery in Schizophrenia
Patients Not on Antipsychotic Medications: A 15-Year Multi-follow-Up
Study; Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease"
http://www.jonmd.com/pt/re/jnmd/abstract.00005053-200705000-00007.htm;jsessionid=G4YBf1djrGmXtZJ377wscGS5tsqM1Dbhpczh5KBvNG35VFnTTdh5!-1804036389!-949856145!8091!-1

--------------------------------

4. If you haven't already see Depression Expression, my newspaper
published spring 2006 raising questions about antidepressants, you can
download it here: http://www.greenspiration.org/

--------------------------------

5.
Centre for Media and Democracy: PR Watch.org

Setting the Stage: Part One in a Series on the Politics and PR of Cervical
Cancer

by Judith Siers-Poisson, June 26, 2007

Many women, myself included, have been affected by cervical cancer or
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. In this series of
four articles, I will examine HPV and Gardasil -- the facts, the hype, and
what Merck stands to gain; the marketing campaigns promoting Gardasil in
the U.S. and the media's lack of attention to concerns about the rush to
mandate vaccination; the role of the non-profit group Women In Government
in promoting mandatory vaccination against HPV; and what is going on
outside of the U.S. on this issue.

HPV is rampant throughout the world, and the U.S. is no exception. It is
estimated that up to 20 million people in the U.S. are currently infected
with HPV -- men as well as women. It is not surprising, therefore, that
Gardasil has burst onto the national stage as the latest 'wonder' vaccine.
Manufactured by Merck, Gardasil is the first vaccine available that can
prevent 4 strains of HPV, which is a leading cause of cervical cancer and
pre-cancerous cervical conditions.

(full article continued here http://www.prwatch.org/node/6186 )




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