Arguments Against The Use of Anti-Psychotics

The drugs known as the Anti-Psychotics( aka neuroleptics, major tranquilizers) are perhaps the most dangerous drugs ever used in psychiatry. These drugs were discovered accidentally in the 1950's from their use in the dye industry. The first used was Chlorpromazine, and soon a whole new class followed. They were first marketed for use in schizophrenia, and sales were very brisk as mental hospitals all over the country switched from either treating or merely housing schizophrenics in hospitals, to the drug based therapy of the new medications. At first these drugs were heralded as miracle cures, but problems soon began to appear. The anti-psychiotics achieved their aim of subduing the patient by, quite simply, disabling his/her brain. And as would be expected this mechanism of action produced a wide range of serious, even life-threatening side effects. Psychiatric orthodoxy has recongized the most serious of these side effects, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Tardive Dyskinesia, more dissident psychiatrists point to many more. Despite thier downright horrid side effect profile, the neuroleptics were never taken off of the market. Thier market was simply too large. Thier targets simply too helpless. Indeed, today derivitives of the original neuroleptics are the most common treatment given to people diagnosed with schizophrenia. A new class of "Atypical" neuroleptics have been created and the psycho-pharmacutical industry is keen to hearld thier lower side-effect profile. However, one look at one of thier product labels will show that there is still pleanty to be concerned about, including the possibility of sudden death in two different ways. Further, many psychiatric dissidents and former patients fear that the side-effects on the label are only the tip of the iceberg and that irreversable brain damage is the direct outcome of any neuroleptic treatment. If you or a loved one are facing a decison regarding anti-psychotic/neuroleptic treatment, the decision is yours and yours alone. But I urge you as always to be aware and do some research regarding these medications.-- The anti-pyschotics(neuroleptics, major tranquilzers): Typicals Chlorpromazine,Fluphenazine (Prolixin®, Haloperidol (Haldol®), Molindone, Thiothixene, Thioridazine (Mellaril®), Trifluoperazine, Loxapine. Atypicals Clozapine (Clozaril®), Olanzapine (Zyprexa®), Quetiapine (Seroquel®), Risperidone (Risperdal®), Ziprasidone (Geodon®), Aripiprazole (Abilify®), Sertindole (Serlect®, Serdolect®).