Rating: 
Summary: An excellent book if you are uninformed about the downsides
Review: This is a classic only because Peter Breggin does his homework. I am a biased reader because I am a Naturopathic physician who treats depression with homeopathic medicine (a far superior solution to drugs).
But my bias aside, I think the book has great merit because Breggin really raises good and sound questions about the so called science behind antidepressants. He makes the process of getting a drug passed explicit and shows how corrupt the process is. In addition, the often difficult process of getting questionable drugs off the market is explained. A process that is often at the expense of the patient and to the benefit of Big Pharma.
Breggin is not so great about coming up with solutions however. Deep longstanding depression is not always amenable to psychotherapy. At least those are a lot of the patients that I'm referred. People who have tried many things without success - therapy, counseling, drugs, etc.
I see homeopathy work with many, though of course not all, of these intractable cases. There must be other effective natural means to help people resolve deep seated depression as well. So this, in my mind is the major weakness in Breggin's books, he is not looking past his own nose about solutions.
Clearly drugs are not a true solution, but counseling on its own is often not enough either. Besides going to see a skilled homeopath (not so easy to find), people have also mentioned dietary changes, community support, friends, family, and other methods as being helpful. So that would be what would fill this book out and make it complete.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is prejudiced and biased.
Review: As someone who has been on Prozac for an extended period of time, due to genetic depression that runs in my family, I can honestly say that this is a wonderful and incredibly effective drug. Now instead of being shy and withdrawn, I am bubbly and outgoing. I have started my own very successful business, and for the first time, I am truly LIVING because of this drug. I've tried all the so-called natural treatments for depression, and they don't work. Prozac and the SSRIs allow people with this disease to THRIVE in their lives, instead of just barely surviving, if they can manage that. Mr. Breggin is more interested in supporting his personal prejudices than the facts. If he'd ever experienced REAL depression, he'd be singing a different tune.
Rating: 
Summary: Shocking exposure of FDA betrayal and psychiatric negligence
Review: Breggin makes a convincing case that Prozac is a dangerous drug whose efficacy has never been demonstrated. Even more amazing, though, is his chapter on the tests conducted by Eli Lilly, which he unequivocally exposes as a complete sham. A must-read for anyone and everyone, but especially those who don't understand why there are "psychiatry survivor groups."
Rating:
Summary: Read this book before you make up your mind about Prozac.
Review: Empowering and revealing, this book is a must read for anyone who has been manipulated by the psychiatric establishment. Contained in these pages is far more information than your doctor will ever know about the drug he or she says is good for you. TALKING BACK TO PROZAC is an easy read for those with no background in psychiatry and is, without a doubt, the most valuable source of information about Prozac
Rating:
Summary: Peter Breggin is well known as a Quack
Review: He uses scare tactics to sell books and get on TV shows. His views are not supported by most and are at best offensive to all that can benefit from the advances in medicine.
Rating:
Summary: interesting
Review: I am half way through this book and it is interesting to hear the other side of the Prozac argument.
Rating: 
Summary: I dislike extreme views not well argued!
Review: I found the author's argument unconvincing. I think Kramer's "Listening to Prozac" paints too rosy a picture, while "Talking Back To Prozac" is way too negative. I think the truth is somewhere in between. The comment the author makes repeatedly in the book about the "sick" people who seem to like Prozac is not open minded, and reveals the religious intensity of the author's opposition (I am not taking Prozac!). The close minded arguments of the author turned me off, and I could care less about the bureaucratic problems of the FDA. The truth about depression and the effectiveness of the SSRIs is independent of the FDA's Prozac drug trials, and dumping on a very large part of the medical community because of a strong feeling against SSRIs was not at all convincing to me, and made for an unsatisfying read. His linking of SSRIs to amphetamines seemed very unscientific to me, and he did not reveal how he came up with this conclusion to my satisfaction. I would appreciate a more clinical proof of SSRI ineffectiveness, and would not accept his word for it just because he believes strongly about his point of view. Two words to describe this book is: Too extreme. I disliked this book alot.
Rating:
Summary: All the negative reviews were written by the drug company
Review: I think all the negative reviews were written by the drug company. As someone who suffers from withdrawal symptoms from an SSRI I can verify that these drugs cause extreme problems that the drug companies won't acknowledge. They are making WAY WAY TOO MUCH MONEY to ever do anything to stop the gravy train.Dr. Breggin is seriously interested in HELPING PEOPLE!! He helped me and gained nothing from it. He is not making billions of dollars off other people's unhappiness. We're all unhappy people that look to drugs to help solve our problems, which were all caused by unhappy childhoods. The drug companies are very happy to exploit that.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my Life
Review: I think everyone should read this book and pay attention. Prozac changed my life also. My daughter Tanya died from suicide on Aug. 26, 1990 while taking prozac. My daughter Michelle died from suicide Feb. 28, 1991 while taking Prozac. In 1996 the doctor tried me on Prozac. I was scared of flying and big cities but while taking Prozac, I got on a plane and flew to NYC. Of course, I just happened to forget to tell my husband I was going until I got there and then called him. I'm sure it may have helped some people but how long will it help before something may happen to them?
Rating:
Summary: I thought I was going crazy
Review: I was on every anti-depressant on the market. None seemed to work. When I was on Prozac and lithium I found that I grew more depressed. I couldn't eat, sleep, I withdrew from my friends and family. I haven't taken an antidepressant in two years and I feel great. I used to have suicidal thoughts every day but now that I am off Prozac I feel 100% better. Reading this book has helped me realize that the way to cure clinical depression is not to resort to antidepressants. They just aren't worth it!! Reading the other book reviews and this book made me aware that I was not the only one who was getting worse while on "anti-depressants". Thank you for the great info.!!
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