An Analysis of Medication Madness, Book Review Example

An Analysis of Medication Madness:A Psychiatrist Exposes the Dangers of Mood-Altering Medications

Reasons for Selecting Book for Analysis

“The lives of the children and adults in these stories, as well as the lives of their families and their victims, were thrown into turmoil and sometimes destroyed by the unanticipated effects of psychiatric drugs” (Breggin, 2008). There are five primary reasons as to why Medication Madness was selected for this book review:

1. Gain more insight into the research and analysis of cases studies concerning psychiatric medication
2. Understand the correlation between specific psychiatric medication and their generic brands
3. Identify potential causes, patterns and trends of addiction
4. Assess the pros and cons of psychiatric medication
5. Learn more about gender and age specific comparisons regarding psychiatric drug usage

Although the media, physicians and other awareness venues are ringing the alarm over the growing impact and negative side effects of psychiatric drugs, Peter Breggin author of Medication Madnesswrote a one of a kind book exposessome of the most extreme cases in which individuals have become psychologicallyand physically injured from the use of psychiatric medication. Some of the individuals in Breggin’s case studies even committed heinous crimes as a result of the medication.

The first case study presented in Breggin’s Medication Madness discusses how a small business owner, wonderful husband, church elder and altruistic member of the community became a raging and unpredictable individual. Although Harry Henderson (pseudonym) was a wonderful caring man outwardly, Harry suffered from what appeared to be depression as a result of his childhood. While in a doctor’s office one day, he saw a pamphlet discussing medication treatment for depression. Harry’s doctor provided him a prescription for Paxil.

After months of continued use and an increase in dosage from 20 mg to 40 mg per day, Paul became increasingly enraged and erratic. On a quest to steal a gun to kill himself and his wife, Harryattacked a police officer by running into him with his car in an attempt to steal his weapon. After Harry’s arrest, the police officer read Breggin’s case study on Henderson, along with his extensive scientific evaluation of the affects of Paxil (i.e. compulsivity), the police officer requested legal leniency for Henderson’s actions. As a result, Henderson was placed into treatment for the emotional aftereffects from using Paxil (Breggin, 2009).

Impact to Reader

The cases presented in this book are so compelling that is it hard to believe that the reader will not accept Dr. Breggin’s caution regarding the use of medication as a solution for mental challenges. Dr. Breggin warns the reader: “There are more than 200 million psychiatric drug prescriptions written annually. Some do more harm than good” (2009). Although the book reads like a thriller, Dr. Breggin reminds the reader that the stories within the book are real and these cases are continuously occurring within Western and international societies. Dr. Breggin also warns the reader that psychiatric drugs can be mentally deceptive in making the user think and feel that the drug is actually working. In actuality, the user is gradually suffering subtle to obvious changes in behavior.

Two External and Collaborative Sources

“We are still waiting for the day when research produces drugs that treat the disease of schizophrenia – not just its symptoms” (Paris, 2010). Joel Parispresented similar warnings and cases in his book The Use and Misuse of Psychiatric Drugs: An Evidence-Based Critique. Paris points out that one of the greatest challenges with prescribing psychiatric treatment is the issue of treating the indicators versus the actual condition.Preston, O’Neal and Talaga recommend nonmedical treatment (psychotherapy) for depression and other mental ailments in their book A Consumer’s Guide to Psychiatric Drugs(2009). One example of proven psychotherapy recommended by Preston, O’Neal and Talaga is exercise. The authors point out the new and mounting evidence which supports daily exercise as a proven solution for mild and serious forms of depression. Each author recognizes the need for some form of medicinal treatment for patients with depression and other similar mental illness but all agree that the use of psychiatric medication has quickly spun out of control with very little research and studies conducted to provide alternative means for medical treatment.

Impact to Personal and Professional Practice

Antidepressants over stimulate the brain, causes insomnia, agitation, mania and compulsivity and Harry displayed all of the symptoms while on Paxil (Breggin, 2009). In the assessment of patients, having knowledge of current medication and conditions is critical in determining treatment and next steps. Abnormal behaviors and the use of psychiatric medication can either impede a patient’s treatment plan or present fictitious illness or condition. For example, in the case of Harry Henderson, Breggin stated that the characterization of Harry Henderson from his family, friends and community was in direction opposition of the individual who almost murdered a police officer with his vehicle (2009). Without knowledge of a patient’s current and medicinal history, proper diagnosis may be prevented. Most importantly, Breggin points out to patients and practioners that the FDA has underscored the disadvantages and over-sold the benefits of psychiatric drugs (Breggin, 2009).

References

Breggin, P. (2009). Medication Madness: A Psychiatrist Exposes the dangers of Mood-Altering Medications. New York, NY: St. Martin Press

Paris, J. (2010). The Use and Misuse of Psychiatric Drugs: An Evidence-Based Critique. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Songs, Ltd.

Preston, J., O’Neal, J. H. and Talaga, M. C. (2009). A Consumer’s Guide to Psychiatric Drugs: Straight Talk for Patients and Their Families. New York: NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc.