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

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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.

704 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1991

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About the author

Peter R. Breggin

31 books115 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Terry Lynch.
Author 6 books10 followers
September 29, 2015
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".
638 reviews45 followers
August 22, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Tree.
107 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2012
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.
Profile Image for Zy Marquiez.
131 reviews83 followers
July 1, 2017
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.
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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.
Profile Image for Meg Kimball.
Author 25 books27 followers
February 21, 2020
Is this guy for real? There's no justification for this level of ignorance. According to some Amazon reviews I read, this book has led to people committing suicide. How tragic! And everyone on Amazon who's doing cleanup duty is commenting like, "Well, did your friend go off the medicines responsibly instead of quitting cold turkey?" (I.e., tapering.) But I'm here to tell you that tapering is meant to prevent discontinuation. It does not prevent the obvious problem of being unmedicated. Anyone with schizophrenia who's unlucky enough to read this garbage could wind up going down a dark pathway of being med-free. No one deserves that. It disgusts me that there are people like Mr. Breggin in the world.
183 reviews16 followers
December 9, 2014
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.....
Profile Image for Fishface.
3,297 reviews242 followers
February 7, 2016
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.
Profile Image for Emily.
7 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2013
Amazing book!!! Am so glad I read this book!
Profile Image for Austin Uphoff.
54 reviews
February 7, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Sunil Kanojia.
45 reviews
February 12, 2024
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!!
Profile Image for NormaCenva.
1,157 reviews86 followers
January 16, 2018
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.
5 reviews3 followers
Read
January 4, 2020
An Excellent Book, by an Excellent Psychiatrist, a must read for any who are Psychiatrists, or seek to become one.
Profile Image for Sandra.
19 reviews14 followers
May 12, 2014
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).
24 reviews6 followers
February 26, 2012
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.
1 review
June 9, 2014
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 ?
Profile Image for Pam Baddeley.
Author 2 books66 followers
November 15, 2015
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.
Profile Image for Rosie Bernardo.
4 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2009
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.
39 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2016
The culmination of 30 years of work. Tour de force indictment of psychiatry. Extensively notated, irrefutably documented, an inspiring call to action.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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