by Bob Seery

Created on: April 26, 2010

Psychiatric drugs are ridiculously over-prescribed by psychologists in America, particularly for high-school students, and contrary to received notions their long term effects - as well as their actual efficacy in dealing with what is any case an 'institutionally constructed problematic' (i.e bipolar, schizophrenia etc) - are largely unknown. There is no point either in looking to longitudinal studies on these matters because the majority of research is sponsored by “Big Pharma”. All the major companies have been through several high profile court cases with claimants seeking compensation for negative side-effects ranging from trembling, hair loss and liver failure to premature heart disease.

Olanzapine, still one of the most popular bipolar treatments is implicated in early onset diabetes. It may sound cynical but it is in the interest of the psycho-pharmaceutical “complex” to tell you you have an incurable genetic condition since this provides them with a life-time subscriber to their products. For every public psychiatric patient in Ireland administered Olanzapine thrice daily it costs the exchequer 300 euros per week.

The so-called 'neuroleptic revolution' of the 70's was a myth created by the psycho-pharmaceutical complex to increase market share. Likewise, the pretence that each drug is tailor made to fit each condition is laughable - given the brain's known complexity - they are all sledgehammers used to douse you out. I know, I've been stuffed to the gills with the things - Serenase, Olanzapine, Largactol, Valium - spending a year practically comatose, fit for nothing except drooling and shaking.

As for lithium, not only is it nauseous but people should flatly oppose to having their feelings regulated - as though your not ultimately in control and responsible for your actions. This argument needs to be rejected firmly - we are still, and even more so, especially responsible for our actions when the maelstorm of emotions reaches that natural apogee of 'madness', but insanity itself doesn't exist, only human incomprehension.

I don't mean to scare people off, particularly if they have genuine concerns about their mental health, but these conditions - ‘bipolar’, ‘schizophrenia’ etc. do become more pronounced as you grow older so it's best to get your head clear on the matter early on and have some idea of what may lay down the road. Read the poets for instance, they're all afflicted, Byron, Shelley, Keats

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