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Post by Admin on Jan 1, 2019 19:20:34 GMT
i don't know what to think anymore about the following type of information? "The brain compensates for the drug induced dopamine block by producing an increased density in its dopamine receptors. Studies have shown this pathological change increases a person’s biological vulnerability to psychosis. As schizophrenics treated with neuroleptics have more severe psychotic symptoms and relapses when the drug is withdrawn, than do those who have never been treated with anti psychotics. Philip Seeman published a paper recently, showing both second and first generation atypical anti psychotics induce this ‘dopamine super sensitivity’. And Martin Harrow’s long-term study showed patients who stopped taking medications, had markedly better outcomes . He also reported, that medicated patients were much more likely to be psychotic on long-term medication, than those taken off early and he therefore concluded drug-induced dopamine super sensitivity was likely to be the reason for the remarkable difference in outcomes. This super sensitivity also stops the actual sedative effect of the anti psychotics over time. So neuroleptics, change the brain chemistry appearing to actually create psychotic episodes in those like the autistic and learning disabled. This also suggests the chemical imbalance theory that, increased dopamine causes psychosis is wrong. As once a sensitivity is induced by anti psychotics, the neurotransmitters, desperate for normal levels of dopamine change their pathology and become over sensitive and a first psychotic episode and/or increased episodes result." The Antipsychotic Scandal- Affect on Mind and Body. finolamoss.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/the-antipsychotic-scandal-effect-on-mind-and-body/
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Post by snowstorm on Jan 1, 2019 21:36:24 GMT
If they can actually measure the change biologically, it is worth taking notice of. It's the same with the studies showing brain shrinkage, now why would that be?
The trouble is, there is no real push by psychiatrists to get people onto a lower dosage, or even off the drugs, after a solid period of stability.
So the patient is left floundering.
Same with the effects on metabolism of the drugs, largely ignored.
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Post by Admin on Jan 2, 2019 5:51:46 GMT
If they can actually measure the change biologically, it is worth taking notice of. It's the same with the studies showing brain shrinkage, now why would that be? The trouble is, there is no real push by psychiatrists to get people onto a lower dosage, or even off the drugs, after a solid period of stability. So the patient is left floundering. Same with the effects on metabolism of the drugs, largely ignored. i think that it would be a very different story if the society / system was focused more on psychological / social avenues of understanding, help & support for people. Some people get lucky & successfully get off these drugs, but many people / most don't. i also don't like the way anti medication arguments often seem to deny the severity & extreme nature of some of the conditions / experiences that some people are dealing with, but then Not everyone is experiencing the same things, or the same nature of severity of difficulties. i don't see how i can reduce / stop a medication, without any proper, appropriate & specialist help & support to do so, that when i do i go into near catatonic & very severe / extreme psychosis. It is impossible. Surely it is the lesser of evils to just stay on the drug, as i have done for the past 14 years. Each case is individual. It does all feel like an impossible double bind / catch 22. Waiting for the society / system to catch with introducing genuinely better treatment for people also seems like a pointless exercise. All those people / projects that appear to create far better approaches to all these areas never seems to really translate on the ground into far better treatment. The wider society / system also seems to always put a spanner in the works around it all. All the current resources around alternatives in a practical sense i don't think amounts to very much - largely it is books, web sites & on-line support. Like this forum - what real day to day / real life practical support is it all really for someone in severe crisis or needing intensive help & support with illness & medication issues? Not to negate what help & support there is. i wonder what 2019 brings within all this area / debate?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 9:12:16 GMT
If they can actually measure the change biologically, it is worth taking notice of. It's the same with the studies showing brain shrinkage, now why would that be? The trouble is, there is no real push by psychiatrists to get people onto a lower dosage, or even off the drugs, after a solid period of stability. So the patient is left floundering. Same with the effects on metabolism of the drugs, largely ignored. All the current resources around alternatives in a practical sense i don't think amounts to very much - largely it is books, web sites & on-line support. Like this forum - what real day to day / real life practical support is it all really for someone in severe crisis or needing intensive help & support with illness & medication issues? Not to negate what help & support there is. At least you and others are trying to help in a world which actively encourages poor mental health, and official mh services are a joke.
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Post by snowstorm on Jan 2, 2019 10:00:08 GMT
i don't see how i can reduce / stop a medication, without any proper, appropriate & specialist help & support to do so, that when i do i go into near catatonic & very severe / extreme psychosis. It is impossible. Surely it is the lesser of evils to just stay on the drug, as i have done for the past 14 years. Each case is individual. It does all feel like an impossible double bind / catch 22. Waiting for the society / system to catch with introducing genuinely better treatment for people also seems like a pointless exercise. All those people / projects that appear to create far better approaches to all these areas never seems to really translate on the ground into far better treatment. The wider society / system also seems to always put a spanner in the works around it all. All the current resources around alternatives in a practical sense i don't think amounts to very much - largely it is books, web sites & on-line support. Like this forum - what real day to day / real life practical support is it all really for someone in severe crisis or needing intensive help & support with illness & medication issues? Not to negate what help & support there is. i wonder what 2019 brings within all this area / debate? I also do not see how anyone can reduce or stop meds without an incredible amount of support, no one wants to go into another episode with all the implications of that. Re. this forum - I think hardly any one in severe crisis could actually be online or on a forum, let alone get the practical support they need there. However, it is so valuable to be able to reflect/ work through thoughts and feelings/ get information when more stable and this is a place where it can be done.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2019 10:11:11 GMT
i don't see how i can reduce / stop a medication, without any proper, appropriate & specialist help & support to do so, that when i do i go into near catatonic & very severe / extreme psychosis. It is impossible. Surely it is the lesser of evils to just stay on the drug, as i have done for the past 14 years. Each case is individual. It does all feel like an impossible double bind / catch 22. Waiting for the society / system to catch with introducing genuinely better treatment for people also seems like a pointless exercise. All those people / projects that appear to create far better approaches to all these areas never seems to really translate on the ground into far better treatment. The wider society / system also seems to always put a spanner in the works around it all. All the current resources around alternatives in a practical sense i don't think amounts to very much - largely it is books, web sites & on-line support. Like this forum - what real day to day / real life practical support is it all really for someone in severe crisis or needing intensive help & support with illness & medication issues? Not to negate what help & support there is. i wonder what 2019 brings within all this area / debate? I also do not see how anyone can reduce or stop meds without an incredible amount of support, no one wants to go into another episode with all the implications of that. Re. this forum - I think hardly any one in severe crisis could actually be online or on a forum, let alone get the practical support they need there. However, it is so valuable to be able to reflect/ work through thoughts and feelings/ get information when more stable and this is a place where it can be done. I agree, online is not the place for someone who is severely paranoid anyway, I have personal experience of this, but it is a help when you are feeling better, and can be an invaluable resource/source of support in periods of more stability.
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Post by Admin on Jan 2, 2019 15:54:20 GMT
At least you and others are trying to help in a world which actively encourages poor mental health, and official mh services are a joke. Maybe it's better to state that for a percentage of people their primary condition is a no fault / no blame biological; genetic brain condition in which medication is a foundation for good treatment & recovery, especially concerning severe schizophrenia / the psychoses. All the discussion on alternative understandings & approaches to mental health isn't going to change the current society / system in it's understandings & treatments of all these areas. i don't think it will change under Capitalism & the current global system either.
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Post by Admin on Jan 3, 2019 10:36:59 GMT
I also do not see how anyone can reduce or stop meds without an incredible amount of support, no one wants to go into another episode with all the implications of that. This is very true - i think it is all greatly complicated by the great differences in individual cases & demographics. There simply are massive ranges of severity involved. Genuine severe psychosis effects a very small percentage of the population. Probably a majority of people don't need or can stop medication without major problems, but Not all people can, & some people probably need medication. This whole severity issue i think adds another layer to a very complicated mess with services & peoples experiences. Even the demographics of what comes under schizophrenia & bipolar vary greatly. i would love to be able to do something more with this project, but it's Not possible without a lot of interest, support & funding for it all, that simply isn't there.
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Post by passingtime on Jan 25, 2019 18:10:48 GMT
i don't know what to think anymore about the following type of information? "The brain compensates for the drug induced dopamine block by producing an increased density in its dopamine receptors. Studies have shown this pathological change increases a person’s biological vulnerability to psychosis. As schizophrenics treated with neuroleptics have more severe psychotic symptoms and relapses when the drug is withdrawn, than do those who have never been treated with anti psychotics. Philip Seeman published a paper recently, showing both second and first generation atypical anti psychotics induce this ‘dopamine super sensitivity’. And Martin Harrow’s long-term study showed patients who stopped taking medications, had markedly better outcomes . He also reported, that medicated patients were much more likely to be psychotic on long-term medication, than those taken off early and he therefore concluded drug-induced dopamine super sensitivity was likely to be the reason for the remarkable difference in outcomes. This super sensitivity also stops the actual sedative effect of the anti psychotics over time. So neuroleptics, change the brain chemistry appearing to actually create psychotic episodes in those like the autistic and learning disabled. This also suggests the chemical imbalance theory that, increased dopamine causes psychosis is wrong. As once a sensitivity is induced by anti psychotics, the neurotransmitters, desperate for normal levels of dopamine change their pathology and become over sensitive and a first psychotic episode and/or increased episodes result." The Antipsychotic Scandal- Affect on Mind and Body. i read this with interest, a very powerful read - Thankyou for posting it
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Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2019 17:49:26 GMT
Positive and negative effects of antipsychotic medication: an international online survey of 832 recipients Author(s): John Read* and James Williams Abstract: Background: Antipsychotic medication is currently the treatment of choice for psychosis, but few studies directly survey the first hand experience of recipients. Objectives: To ascertain the experiences and opinions of users of an international sample of antipsychotic drugs regarding positive and negative effects. Method: An online direct-to-consumer questionnaire was completed by 832 users of antipsychotics, from 30 countries – predominantly USA, UK and Australia. This is the largest such sample to date. Results: Over half (56%) thought the drugs reduced the problems they were prescribed for, but 27% thought they made them worse. Slightly less people found the drugs generally ‘Helpful’ (41%) than found them ‘Unhelpful’ (43%). While 35% reported that their ‘quality of life’ was ‘improved’, 54% reported that it was made ‘worse’. The average number of adverse effects reported was 11, with an average of five at the ‘severe’ level. Fourteen effects were reported by 57% or more participants, most commonly: ‘Drowsiness, feeling tired, sedation’ (92%), ‘Loss of motivation’ (86%), ‘Slowed thoughts’ (86%), and ‘Emotional numbing’ (85%). Suicidality was reported to be a side effect by 58%. Older people reported particularly poor outcomes and high levels of adverse effects. Duration of treatment was unrelated to positive outcomes but significantly related to negative outcomes. Most respondents (70%) had tried to stop taking the drugs. The most common reasons people wanted to stop were the side effects (64%) and worries about long-term physical health (52%). Most (70%) did not recall being told anything at all about side effects. Conclusions Clinical implications are discussed, with a particular focus on the principles of informed consent, and involving patients in decision making about their own lives. www.currentdrugsafety.com/articles/170386/positive-and-negative-effects-of-antipsychotic-medication-an-international-online-survey-of-832-recipients
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Post by snowstorm on Mar 11, 2019 20:26:46 GMT
86% loss of motivation and 58% suicidal, that's a lot. No wonder most people try and stop taking them.
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Post by Admin on Mar 12, 2019 15:54:36 GMT
"A new paper, published in Sociology of Health and Illness, describes the findings of a study that examined conversations between psychiatrists and clients to understand better how clients initiate attempts in session to change their medication regimens. The results of this conversation analysis, conducted by Dr. Galina Bolden and a team of researchers, revealed that clients have few opportunities to explicitly voice preferred changes, a structure that undermines a collaborative decision-making approach to treatment. “Previous research suggests that clients hesitate to assert themselves in clinical encounters out of deference to clinician authority,” the authors write. “It is not enough, therefore, to exhort psychiatrists to listen to their clients’ preferences when they express them; rather, it may be necessary to train them to create explicit openings for their clients to articulate their experiences, such as, for example, explicitly raising medications as a discussion topic.”" www.madinamerica.com/2019/03/clients-solicit-medication-changes-psychiatrists/
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Post by Admin on Mar 17, 2019 13:17:51 GMT
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Post by Admin on Sept 2, 2019 16:02:12 GMT
Petition for 'better provision for people coming off medication' Can you help NSUN member Diane Wright with her petition for 'better provision for people coming off medication'. "Facilities in healthcare are currently failing to train practitioners in the vital life enhancing skill of assisting patients withdraw from dependancy on any prescribed but toxic medication they want/need to stop taking. Addictive medication is obviously harmful in the long term yet a General Practitioner (GP) can currently only either stop or repeat prescriptions. Practices need to develop the necessary specialism patients are in want of to support their withdrawal from psychiatric drugs. Great health improvements will be gained, as well as saving on pharmaceuticals, once GP's, Healthcare assistants, nurses or other support workers are trained in how to offer the provision needed, such as in attaining smaller precise doses. I look forward to a future where there will be guidence and encouragement for anyone who would formerly have been struggling to withdraw from toxic medication and instead be more confident and able to end their pyschological dependency in a safe, supported and controlled manner without having to suffer terrible withdrawal symptoms or appear to relapse." If you have a particular interest in this issue and wish to discuss this further with Diane, please email her at ablequest@hotmail.com Better provision for people coming off medication - petition - www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-mp-better-provision-for-people-coming-off-medication
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Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2019 10:57:48 GMT
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