Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives

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Summary: Going on meds? On meds? Know someone who is? READ THIS!
Review: While I think Dr. Glenmullen sometimes lacks the scientific claims to back up everything he says, I think the essential questions he's asking here need to get more attention. Though these drugs have helped millions of people, we shouldn't look at them as being miracle drugs that people need to, or should be, taking. They very successfully alleviate many of the symptoms of depression, anxiety, OCD, etc., but we need to not lose sight of the fact that they really only deal with the symptoms. It's appalling when you realize how much spin-doctoring pharmaceutical companies have to done to convince the public that these disorders have purely biological origins. This reductionist view is based on very loose scientific theories, but the truth of the matter is that doctors don't really know why these drugs work the way they do. Why can one person notice a profound difference on Paxil, but not Zoloft even though they're supposedly doing the same thing? Doctors don't really know, but drug companies (along with HMOs) have convinced the public that people with these problems simply have a chemical imbalance that we now have a cure for. To be blunt, that's complete BS, and I'm glad Glenmullen is being so vocal about this. Drug companies have a vested interest in keeping as many people as possible on these drugs for as long as possible, and HMOs support this method of treatment because it's a hell of a lot easier (and cheaper) for them to put people on drugs than it is to pay for therapy so people can figure out what's really going on. Your brain chemistry can affect how you feel, but drug companies conveniently refrain from pointing out that how you feel also affects your brain chemistry. There's no one simple explanation for what causes different mental illnesses and many people on some of these drugs would be better off taking a closer look at what's really going on in their lives before deciding whether or not to try medication. As I say, I think Dr. Glenmullen jumps to some conclusions a little too quickly, but the fundamental concerns he has are ones we all should have, and I commend him for adding a more balanced, holistic view to the discussion of mental illness.