Toxic Psychiatry: Why Therapy, Empathy and Love Must Replace the Drugs, Electroshock, and Biochemical Theories of the "New Psychiatry"

by Peter R. Breggin

Prozac, Xanax, Halcion, Haldol, Lithium. These psychiatric drugs--and dozens of other short-term "solutions"--are being prescribed by doctors across the country as a quick antidote to depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other psychiatric problems. But at what cost?

In this searing, myth-shattering exposé, psychiatrist Peter R. Breggin, M.D., breaks through the hype and false promises surrounding the "New Psychiatry" and shows how dangerous, even potentially brain-damaging, many of its drugs and treatments are. He asserts psychiatric drugs are spreading an epidemic of long-term brain damage; mental "illnesses" like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorder have never been proven to be genetic or even physical in origin, but are under the jurisdiction of medical doctors; millions of schoolchildren, housewives, elderly people, and others are labeled with medical diagnoses and treated with authoritarian interventions, rather than being patiently listened to, understood, and helped.

Toxic Psychiatry sounds a passionate, much-needed wake-up call for everyone who plays a part, active or passive, in America's ever-increasing dependence on harmful psychiatric drugs.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Psychiatry, Health, Medicine, Science

704 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Peter R. Breggin MD is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and former Consultant at NIMH who has been called “The Conscience of Psychiatry” for his many decades of successful efforts to reform the mental health field.
His work provides the foundation for modern criticism of psychiatric diagnoses and drugs, and leads the way in promoting more caring and effective therapies.
His research and educational projects have brought about major changes in the FDA-approved Full Prescribing Information or labels for dozens of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs.
Dr. Breggin has authored dozens of scientific articles and more than twenty books, including medical books and the bestsellers Toxic Psychiatry and Talking Back to Prozac.

Reviews

[Terry Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Toxic Psychiatry in the late 1990s. At that time, I was working as a GP (family physician), and I was already seriously questioning the medical approach to emotional and mental health. More than any other book, Toxic Psychiatry was a game-changer for me. Having read it, I realized I could not continue to work as a typical medical doctor. I made many changes, and now I have become an author and the provider of a recovery-oriented mental health practitioner, with a far richer understanding of emotional and mental wellbeing than I received at medical school. In the intervening years Peter, his wonderful wife Ginger and I have been in contact many times, I am delighted that he strongly endorsed my latest book "Depression Delusion Volume One: The Myth of the Brain Chemical Imbalance".

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember during one of my 3rd year psychology lecture, a professor brought up the discussion of medication and what it does/not do for clients diagnosed with schizophrenia. I also remember a student questioning the professor about his views, sharing how difficult it was for her and family to live with someone who is schizophrenic. She shared that only medication worked and made things less hellish for her and family. The professor tried to share his perspective, the science and clinical knowledge, however, it ended up being a very emotional showdown.
Breggin touches upon similar research/views. Having field experience, I share his concerns - too many people (especially young) are wanting diagnosis so they can access medication and stop 'feeling yuck'. I understand the horrors we may be facing in a few years.
Breggin questions the biomedical model (amen) and points us towards the environment being the devil. Frequently, he points out that instead of blaming your child/young person, parents need to take responsibility (SOLE responsibility). I think epigenetic maybe a better middle ground? Absence of proof is not proof of absence.
A few weeks back, I met a psychiatrist at an airport. I had this book on hand. We discussed Breggin's work and he commented that he feels dejected with the overuse of medication. We agreed with Breggin's conclusion: medication isn't the only answer. It is scary. The research is scary. But you have families who are tired. A system that is failing (or already has?) I see burn out. People have always wanted easy and quick solutions - medicalisation of mental health has been profitable (monetary, holding families together) to so many regardless of the long term effects. The strategies that work (barring medication) take time, question our societal layers. They work but aren't easy. Unlike medication.
Breggin's book is relevant now more than ever: the rising numbers of diagnosis amongst young people, and the administration of pharmaceutical drugs. The answer is simple but not so simple.

[Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting perspective on how medicines do not heal your mental illness, just mask it. Best to solve your problems, instead of taking potentially brain-damaging medications.

[Zy Marquiez · Rating 5 out of 5]

World renown Harvard-trained psychiatrist, author, and researcher Dr. Peter R. Breggin, M.D. unleashes a tour de force in his book Toxic Psychiatry that blows an enormous hole into conventional mainstream medical thought.

Dr. Breggin completely eviscerates the mainstream ‘chemical imbalance’ garbage that has been spewed for decades, and he does so in a logical, caring, and unprecedented manner.

The book to me is highly reminiscent of Dr. Brogans recent landmark book A Mind Of Your Own – The Truth About Depression. Both authors – Breggin & Brogan – in each of their respective books seeks to do the same: destroy the fallacy of “chemical imbalance causes depression” with mountains of scientific evidence while also showcasing some common sense solutions the individual can seek. For that, each individual should be taken seriously and supported as much as possible.

Moving on, as Dr. Breggins book outlines rather methodically, there is no biological basis for the chemical imbalance theory of depression carried out by the mainstream psychiatric establishment. This is buttressed by endless data supplied by the author.

In addition, Dr. Breggin sifts through examples of drugs like Lithium, Haldol, Halcion, Prozac & Xanax breaking down study after study after study regarding these drugs and their side effects in a way that mainstream media will never do. After all, Big Pharma pays mainstream media’s bills; who else do you think pays for the tsunami of advertisement we see on TV?

Of course, many folks are on a hair trigger when it comes to solving maladies with pills, and there’s a big reason for this. Big Pharma/Big Medica has played a megalithic role in how people view drugs, and how people have access to information regarding them.

While in other countries it is downright illegal for Big Pharma to advertise, in America, such is par for the course. America is one of only two countries in the world that allow this unfortunately.

How does that last fact couple with Dr. Breggin’s book?

As other doctors and investigators have mentioned, it’s no coincidence that there’s been an enormous upswing in how many people take antipsychotic medications over the last few decades. With over 30 Million Americans taking antipsychotic medications, Big Pharma & the media have been highly instrumental in getting those very individuals asking their doctors for medications.

After all, the Big Pharma advertising engine has created an unprecedented upswing in drug use where Americans now end up taking 1.4 Billion prescriptions yearly.

Disturbingly, as the Dr. Breggin attests, “People assume that FDA approval and the widespread distribution of a drug – with many patients taking it for months or years – means that long-term studies have found it safe in regard to side effects, drug interactions, dependency, addition, and withdrawal. Thus FDA approval grossly misleads the public, lulling it into an unfounded security.

The PDR admits that Prozac’s effectiveness has not been tested in controlled trials of “more than 5 or 6 weeks” and that “long-term” usefulness has therefore not been demonstrated.”[1]

Statements such as those should make sensible individuals pause.

Of course, many of those prescriptions are still doled out by psychiatrists/psychologists in the tens of millions.

However, this book does not end up pushing a no-medication type of solution. The author instead strives for a multi-solution approach, where he cites some examples of how other types of alternative care could help individuals if they so chose.

Ultimately, a great component of what the author recommends is fostering an atmosphere of utmost caring, which should have already taken place by now had the system not been so corrupt.

Listening, and doing so patiently would go a much longer way than prescribing most folks more prescription drugs. Such a simple choice would solve so many inherent issues.

The system that Dr. Breggin expounds upon should be adopted, or at minimum elaborated upon.

After all, if the current Big Psych industry was doing its job, people would be getting cured, drug use would decline and not increase, and overall health would also get better. However, we know the opposite is taking place.

Ironically, as some have stated, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the very definition of insanity. To that effect, that’s exactly what the Psychiatric & Medical Establishment have been doing, and health in America has only gotten worse.

Its time for a change. This book helps lay part of that much-needed foundation.
__________________________________________________​
Reference:

[1] Peter R. Breggin, M.D., Toxic Psychiatry, P168-169
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P.S. For those curious about more avenues regarding health, besides Dr. Breggin, other great doctors that might be of interest to many of you would be as mentioned before Dr. Brogan, Dr. Mercola, Dr. Duzanne Humphries, Dr. Sircus, Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mcbride, Dr. Russell Blaylock, Tetyana Obukhanych Ph.D and the work of Sarah Ballantyne PhD. These people all put out very high quality information regularly and are concerned with various aspects of health. But don’t take my word for it, do your own research so you can be better informed.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read ! My complaint is that it's a bit dated and it's taken me so long to get to it. That said, everything contained is still relative, Mr Breggin makes no bones about calling out individual Psychiatrists, Doctors, the American Medical Association and the APA, as well as the Big Pharma companies pushing a drug agenda and poisoning us with the lie that it's help.....

[Fishface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Examines the assumptions of modern mental health treatment and suggests more humane, more workable and more helpful interventions for the mentally ill. Not to be missed if you are interested in this industry, if you are incensed by it, or if you or someone you love are mentally ill.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book!!! Am so glad I read this book!

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SHARP AND COMPREHENSIVE CRITIQUE OF MANY ASPECTS OF MODERN PSYCHIATRY

Psychiatrist Peter Roger Breggin wrote in the Introduction to this 1991 book, “Many people don’t know the difference between psychiatry, psychotherapy, psychology, and psychoanalysis. This book is primarily about psychiatry…. ‘Psychiatrists’ are fully … medical doctors who specialize in treating people defined as having psychiatric problems… psychiatrists have the right to prescribe drugs or electroshock, to hospitalize patients, and to treat people against their will… Psychotherapists … [are people] helping people with problems by talking to them... Psychologists … receive a Ph.D. rather than an M.D. … they often receive much more intensive training in psychotherapy than do psychiatrists…. ‘Psychoanalysis’ is the form of psychotherapy founded and developed by Sigmund Freud.. psychiatry …overwhelmed psychoanalysis in the United States… psychoanalysis has very little influence in modern psychiatry.” (Pg. 1-2)

He explains, “brain-damaged people typically display memory difficulties as the first sign that their mind isn’t working as well as it once did.. They have trouble recalling recently learned things… Later they may get confused and disoriented as they display what is called an organic brain syndrome. In fact… advanced degrees of brain disease render the individual unable to think in … abstract metaphorical terms. The thought processes that get labeled schizophrenia require higher mental function and therefore a relatively intact brain… That’s why lobotomy ‘works’: the damage to the higher mental centers smashes the capacity to express existential pain and anguish… it’s also why the most potent psychiatric drugs and shock treatment have their effect.” (Pg. 24-25)

He observes, “Life in a mental hospital is so inhibited, constrained, and suppressed that patients might seem better adjusted when heavily drugged… a drugged person would seem better adjusted than a drug-free person in such a setting; the chemically lobotomized patient fits better into the social role of mental patient, with its obedience to authority, conformity, lack of dignity, acceptance of mundane routines, and restricted opportunities for self-expression… To say that patients behave better in a mental hospital when they are drugged is more a commentary on the requirements of being an inmate than on the allegedly beneficial qualities of the drugs… Indeed, most drug-free people would want to take flight rather than to waste away in a facility that offers nothing in the way of rehabilitation, recreation, or social life.” (Pg. 61-62)

He reports, “In reality, the drugs did not cause the emptying of the state hospitals, which did not begin in earnest until 1963, more than eight years after the introduction of the neuroleptics in America… admissions actually had skyrocketed. In 1963, a rapid decline in inmate population began… In that year, ‘mental illness’ became covered … under … Social Security Disability (SSI). Now the patients could be sent to old-age homes… to be paid for by their meager disability checks… ‘Deinstitutionalization’ is itself a misleading term, because very few of the discharged patients became independent… Some of the inmates were cast out on the streets as homeless people… Emptying American hospitals was a matter of social policy---moving patients out and taking fewer in---not a medical miracle.” (Pg. 64-65)

He suggests, “I doubt if the neuroleptics would be legal except for the fact that they are given to mental patients. We tend to hold the health and well being of psychiatric patients in low regard, a prejudice that has resulted in drastic harm to millions of people.” (Pg. 89)

He argues, “Because the neuroleptics inhibit dopamine nerve transmission in the frontal lobes, should we suppose there’s something with these areas of the brain? Not at all… Consider surgical mutilation of the frontal lobes. Does its effectiveness in controlling psychiatric inmates and patients prove that the surgery corrects an abnormality of the frontal lobes? The lobotomy effect is non-specific; it blunts humans… regardless of the state of their minds or brains. Why, then, should the effectiveness of neuroleptic-induced chemical lobotomy be used as evidence for an abnormality in the frontal lobe neurotransmitters? It’s not scientific thinking, it’s wishful thinking.” (Pg. 111)

He asserts, “We must ask ourselves whether drugs actually help people understand and take better control of their inner mental lives and their conduct, and we must ask ourselves whether the potential moral downside isn’t too great. Taking psychoactive drugs on a regular basis readily becomes a symbolic gesture that interferes with personal growth and even fosters personal failure. The associated brain dysfunction also increases the individual’s helplessness. Beyond that, we must be concerned about the long-lasting and permanent damage… that can result from these agents…” (Pg. 182)

He summarizes, “There are no known biological causes of depression in the lives of patients who routinely see psychiatrists. There is no known genetic link in depression. There is no sound drug treatment for depression. The same is true for mania: no biology, no genetics, and little or no rational basis for endangering the brain with drugs. The biomythology of depression denies the obvious causes of depression in the lives of most people who become depressed. Biopsychiatrists dare not look their patients in the eye for fear of seeing the psychological truth; they cannot look into their patients’ hearts for fear of empathizing with them. Ultimately they must deny their own feelings in order to deny the feelings of others.” (Pg. 183)

He notes that electroshock “works by damaging the brain and making patients more simpleminded, less self-aware, and docile, [which] is such an obnoxious idea to most people that the theory is never presented to the public or repeated in court, even by its main proponent, Max Fink.” (Pg. 199)

He also observes in a footnote, “While the basic AA [Alcoholics Anonymous] literature refers to alcohol as an ‘allergy’… it is meant as a metaphor… There is no attempt to give evidence that alcoholism is a physical disease... the Twelve Steps focus exclusively on psychospiritual problems and solutions.” (Pg. 231)

He states, “In blaming the child-victim, psychiatry takes the pressure off the parent, the family and schools and the society. By diagnosing, drugging, and hospitalizing children, psychiatry enforces the worst attitudes toward children in our culture today and exonerates those adult institutions that need reform. Psychiatry has been joined by factions within behavioral and educational psychology in exonerating the schools and blaming the children. The question asked by John Holt, ‘Why can’t Johnny read?’ has been answered, ‘Because he has a learning disability.’” (Pg. 275)

He notes, “A major characteristic of supposedly schizophrenic women who are hospitalized is their refusal or inability to do housework. Drugs are given to women to reinforce their enslavement to the women’s role. To this observation of [Phyllis] Chesler’s [in ‘Women and Madness’] I would add that instead of understanding the woman’s symptoms as an expression of frustration, outrage, and despair over her place in the family and society, the psychiatrist prescribes spirit-blunting medications that reinforce the status quo in her life.” (Pg. 324)

He contends, “The American Psychiatric Association’s governing body made a conscious decision to rely more heavily on drug company funding for its activities… In the early 1970s APA was in financial trouble. It was losing membership… psychiatry was losing badly to the competition with psychologists… [as well as] counselors, family therapists, and other nonprofessionals who charge lower fees… At the same time psychiatry was coming under increasing criticism about psychosurgery, electroshock…Whatever function APA had ever fulfilled as a professional organization was now superseded by its function as a passionate advocate for the advancement of psychiatric and pharmaceutical business interests... Continually reiterated is the conviction that only a medical or biological image can enable psychiatry to compete economically.” (Pg. 354-355)

He continues, “while psychiatrists continue to have too few patients to maintain their professional incomes… their national organizations speak of a shortage of psychiatrists in order to convince the public, the federal government, and health insurance companies to give more support to the profession. The continual failure of psychiatry to attract voluntary patients is the main impetus behind the biopsychiatric propaganda we have been examining in this book.” (Pg. 368)

He goes on, “Because psychiatry can compel patients into treatment, it frequently abuses them and loses its incentive to develop more appealing treatment approaches. Some psychologists, with their Ph.D.s rather than M.D.s, are becoming increasingly envious of psychiatric medical power… they are going to court to demand … the right to prescribe drugs. The drug companies are underwriting some of these efforts by sponsoring seminars at national meetings to discuss the possibilities and advantages of psychologists prescribing drugs. Psychiatrists also have a pronounced advantage over nonmedical therapists when it comes to health insurance reimbursements for their services.” (Pg. 368-369)

This book will of great interest to those seeking critiques of modern psychiatry.

[Austin Uphoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa. This book (although dated, 1991), written by a medical doctor trained in psychiatry but looking to reform the practice and hold it accountable, has phenomenal insights into the world and modern history of psychiatry and psychosocial therapies. It's a complicated read, but worth digesting and finishing. Don't be afraid to research claims and stats as you go, some things may have changed in the last 30 years. For instance, I learned that most SSRI's (antidepressants) are +/- 10% as effective as placebo's, something that has not changed much in the past 30 years (at least the placebos don't have side effects and lose effectiveness overtime like SSRI's). This book is also very helpful at understanding how neuroleptics and other drugs actually work, but also offers very real critiques of not only biopsychologial etiologies, but the psychopharmacology industry practices.

[Sunil Kanojia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on the side effects of all most all the drugs used in Mental Health arena. I wish to see its current edition but I'm also puzzled that in decades things have not changed much in this domain!! A must read for anyone what to know the "cruelty of human killing" in this white rob profession of modern medicine and make your own conclusions. An excellent book to keep in hand if dealing with Mental Health and Behavioral Science, especially if you're a patient or care givers. Love the work!!

[NormaCenva · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is for the 1991 edition - This was an interesting read. Despite a lot of information being outdated, it still brings to life the very grass root of alternative medicinal approaches, especially engaged talking therapy.
It makes some good points, which I am happy to say had some productive developments over the years, both in Mental Health and psychotherapy.
It was interesting to look back and see how it all started.

[Peter Laesch]

An Excellent Book, by an Excellent Psychiatrist, a must read for any who are Psychiatrists, or seek to become one.

[Kieron Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the 1991 version, only the 1993 version. It's a good book to read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just started to read this book since I'm just about 2/3 done with The Trauma Model by Colin Ross and - I'm getting a little board with Ross's book. Since I just started to read this book all I can comment on is the few parts that I have read. This book was published in 1991. . about 23 years ago.

When you think of psychiatry, you probably think of Schizophrenia. Well, that is what I read on first and let me tell you - the stuff with the shocking the brain thing - it happened more often than you think it did - to people that may have lost a husband or wife and were just plain ole grieving. It seems that many older women were shocked and forced to do so. It seems that no one ASKED these women if they wanted it. I also does cause serious brain DAMNAGE!

I think it is SICK to know this kind of crap was going on in the United States . .starting in around 1963 and all caring and and just simple LOVE was GONE from psychiatry in 1966. . .doctors were told the only way to treat them was through "Medication" only. And people say that "psychiatry is better now". Bull shit. The medication is doing the same thing - I know. I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar - and then told I needed an antipsychotic. I took it for 7 days. I couldn't drive, do my algebra or critically think about anything. Well that is exactly what big pharma and the big wigs in politics wants. They don't WANT you to critically think! The doctor that misdiagnosed me was also a GP. He was not a therapist! What I had was situational depression - also known as an adjustment disorder. That is not treated by medication.

I find Dr. Colin A Ross and the education of Dr. Peter . Breggin (both psychiatrists) to be just about the same. They were told the exact same thing from their teachers. Total humanity is gone in this profession since this is pseudo science.

there is no disease to anyone with a "mental illness" since this profession is lead - not by doctors - but my the large pharmaceutical companies that lie to them and make profit off of both the doctor and the patient. I think the patients are more educated than the doctors and Dr. Breggin seems to agree on that point.

I hope this field changes - or else all - each person living in the United States by 2040 (100% of the population) will be labeled as sick, ill and needs to be on medication (for purposes of social control - not because anyone is sick).

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Medical maverick, Peter Breggin MD, highly opionated, excoriating attacks on the establishment-a real hippie- aligned in the R.D. Laing "sane in a mad world" philosophy. What I really pulled from the book was the description of schizophrenia and other severe illnesses as "psychospiritual" crises. A term I believe I will continue to use...

"Pt preoccupations typically focus on his/her place in the universe, often in an exalted or central role that is highly unrealistic"
Through my own experiences, I have seen many souls in crisis.

I alos love the use of term "inmates" instead of patients.

"The mad are inarticulate poets, the psychiatrists, articulate know-nothings."

"W/o the disease model as the central focus, psychiatrists would certainly lose their rationale as a medical specialty- and well funded research dollars..." SLAP!!!

The chapter on Xanaxis approval by the FDA for panic d/o is truly revealing- the opening of new markets...

Children and women exploited- the piece I saw on TV about GAD, mom's comments about an even lesser dx than dysthymic d/o- the merging of psychiatry and neurology to treat Alzheimers and other dementias-

It is all abut a brilliant strategy of opening new markets: Create a dx, make a drug... Boom!!! Millions for the pscyo-pharma complex
And that will be the real reason psychiatry merges with neurology.
Beat them off their turf as they already have with the psychosocial, non-medical professionals.

[Nobeing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes some of the issues Stasz talks around and adds the detail. It carefully deconstructs the genetic and biological basis for so called brain disorders and addictions labelled as mental illness and sets out the reasons why this view is so dominant and dangerous. Science has not found a depression gene or a schizophrenic gene and has failed to show that chemical imbalances or changes in the brain's neural circuitry are a cause as opposed to an effect of our mental ill health. Breggin challenges the unaccountable use of drugs and coercive therapies by psychiatrists and their discuses their effectiveness. The most striking part of the book is his critique of the American Association of Psychiatry and its direct links and associations with drug companies. It begs the question whose interests are really being served by the wholesale distribution of anti depressants and other mind altering drugs ?

[Pam Baddeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shocking account of the damage done by psychiatric medication and shock treatment. As this dates to the early 1990s, you would hope things have improved, but as the author is still appearing as an expert witness at court cases claiming compensation for permanent disability caused by treatment, it seems not.

[Daver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much right now, but good so far and will return to. Got out of it what I could for where I am right now.

[Rosie Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

totally amazing. opens up your eyes to the truth of how awful psych meds are and gives you alternatives. If you have kids or know someone on meds, read this book and pass it on.

[David A Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well argued

[John Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prescription for love: http://psychiatricsurvivors.wordpress...

[Bruce Gumbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book if you are trying to understand psychiatry issues

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The culmination of 30 years of work. Tour de force indictment of psychiatry. Extensively notated, irrefutably documented, an inspiring call to action.