As a psych RN this ignorant characterization of SSRI addiction and linking SSRIs to violence is rooted in the stigmatization of MH Tx. The fact that it is coming from a person in charge of making healthcare policy should be a 5 alarm fire in the MH field. What about the overwhelming evidence that thousands of MH workers have of seeing SSRIs help patients? Apparently our knowledge, training and experience no longer has any value anymore.
You stated in the section on addiction, “…are not addiction withdrawal, but rather a temporary physiological response.”
Is not withdrawal from any addictive substance a temporary physiological response? This is the reason alcohol, benzos, meth, etc…are tapered off, sometimes with the help of other substances like Suboxone or methadone? Some substances are more dangerous to quit cold turkey than others, but ultimately, it’s the same thing, right? The body comes to depend on the substance to feel normal and withdrawal results in temporary physical responses as the body adjusts to the change?
Is it possible to measure the amount of serotonin in the brain or in the synaptic cleft? What is the testing involved to ensure that serotonin is indeed increased in the synaptic cleft as the makers of SSRI claim?
I’ve heard well-known psychiatrists claim that the pharmaceutical studies done on SSRI’s show no benefit over placebo, and that antidepressants are held to a different/lower standard than other pharmaceuticals when it comes to getting approved by the FDA. Can you share studies that disprove this?
I agree that this topic needs to be addressed. There is a lot evidence that SSRIs are effective versus no treatment, but in placebo controlled trials, there is very little difference between the active drug and placebos. This suggests most of the benefits of SSRIs are contextual and not due to the activity of the drug. Although the side effects of these drugs are greatly exaggerated by RJK Jr., the issues of agitation, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, etc. are not benign. These drugs seem to have similar efficacy to psychotherapy in my skimming of the literature. More importantly, they seem to be less efficacious in adolescents. However, they seem to be the first line of treatment for our younger populations. It seems to me that treatments with fewer adverse side effects are available and should be used first.
SSRIs have been a lifesaver for so many people. I’m horrified that ignorant claims about them are being amplified by the administration and am grateful to you for your response, which I can share with friends and through my social media.
As a psych RN this ignorant characterization of SSRI addiction and linking SSRIs to violence is rooted in the stigmatization of MH Tx. The fact that it is coming from a person in charge of making healthcare policy should be a 5 alarm fire in the MH field. What about the overwhelming evidence that thousands of MH workers have of seeing SSRIs help patients? Apparently our knowledge, training and experience no longer has any value anymore.
You stated in the section on addiction, “…are not addiction withdrawal, but rather a temporary physiological response.”
Is not withdrawal from any addictive substance a temporary physiological response? This is the reason alcohol, benzos, meth, etc…are tapered off, sometimes with the help of other substances like Suboxone or methadone? Some substances are more dangerous to quit cold turkey than others, but ultimately, it’s the same thing, right? The body comes to depend on the substance to feel normal and withdrawal results in temporary physical responses as the body adjusts to the change?
Is it possible to measure the amount of serotonin in the brain or in the synaptic cleft? What is the testing involved to ensure that serotonin is indeed increased in the synaptic cleft as the makers of SSRI claim?
I’ve heard well-known psychiatrists claim that the pharmaceutical studies done on SSRI’s show no benefit over placebo, and that antidepressants are held to a different/lower standard than other pharmaceuticals when it comes to getting approved by the FDA. Can you share studies that disprove this?
I agree that this topic needs to be addressed. There is a lot evidence that SSRIs are effective versus no treatment, but in placebo controlled trials, there is very little difference between the active drug and placebos. This suggests most of the benefits of SSRIs are contextual and not due to the activity of the drug. Although the side effects of these drugs are greatly exaggerated by RJK Jr., the issues of agitation, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, etc. are not benign. These drugs seem to have similar efficacy to psychotherapy in my skimming of the literature. More importantly, they seem to be less efficacious in adolescents. However, they seem to be the first line of treatment for our younger populations. It seems to me that treatments with fewer adverse side effects are available and should be used first.
Thank you for writing this clear explanation.
SSRIs have been a lifesaver for so many people. I’m horrified that ignorant claims about them are being amplified by the administration and am grateful to you for your response, which I can share with friends and through my social media.
I have a theory on what is leading to more mass shootings and it's not medical related...