Dear Folks,

The uptake of psychiatric (psychotropic) drugs among Americans, and probably the world, has exploded in recent decades.

And yet, the Sanity-Quotient around the world, not to mention the Happiness-Quotient, seems to be falling.

We all realize that there truly is NO Psychotropic Drug which does not gradually lose its efficacy, over time.  And, there are many psychiatric drugs which become rapidly ineffective over short time intervals.

Some might say that “psychiatric drugs” have caused the general population to become crazier than what we might have expected if there were no psych pharmaceuticals being advertised and sold.

We also know that the relative benefit, even if one can assume that there might be a benefit, of most psychiatric drugs, long-term, is in the single digits of a percent.

Therefore, why do doctors prescribe them?

Here is a vid which might shed light on what most of us already know.

https://youtu.be/WoS9dIjLFv8

(Please see following "comment" for the video which was intended to be attached here, to the OP. Thank you.)

Why do people take such a risk of taking psychotropic drugs…long-term?

We all know, and the pharmaceutical companies know, for sure, that the brain compensates for long-term use of psychotropic drugs through neuroadaptation, which is the process of altering the brain’s physical and chemical structures to restore internal balance. The brain achieves this by changing receptor sensitivity, modifying neurotransmitter production, and shifting synaptic connectivity.

Big Pharma knows this….full well.  And so, what is going on?

Are they crazy?

Best regards,

Gamma

Edited August 4Aug 4 by GammaGlobulin

This video was intended to be included with the OP.

(bug not yet fixed, apparently)

Edited August 4Aug 4 by GammaGlobulin

The only person to highlight the impact of these drugs on a national stage was RFK Jr. But, MSM and others who are on these drugs were quick to criticize that man.

Look up Columbine to understand how dangerous these drugs are.

Also, one day it will come out that the spike in suicides amongst the US Military men were due to the increase prescription of those drugs.

8 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

The only person to highlight the impact of these drugs on a national stage was RFK Jr. But, MSM and others who are on these drugs were quick to criticize that man.

Look up Columbine to understand how dangerous these drugs are.

Also, one day it will come out that the spike in suicides amongst the US Military men were due to the increase prescription of those drugs.

Anyone who tells the truth, or attempts to shut down the Big Pharma Pushers will be politically dead in the water.

And, who are the ones who are paying the price?

This is a true joke, since, way back in the early 60s, we already understood the mechanisms of homeostasis, and the fact that the brain will always compensate for any externally applied chemical insult.

Big Tobacco, all over again.

Nobody ever tells the truth.

The wrong medicine can make things worse for patients. The right ones have saved thousands of lives. Constant monitoring, which some doctors fail to do, is a major problem. Reducing depression symptoms, which is their intent, can make a person easier to cope with daily life, work and relationships. That they have side effects, like all other medicines, makes the monitoring essential. I've seen them work with quite a few acquaintances and friends.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by fredwiggy

16 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The wrong medicine can make things worse for patients. The right ones have saved thousands of lives. Constant monitoring, which some doctors fail to do, is a major problem. Reducing depression symptoms, which is their intent, can make a person easier to cope with daily life, work and relationships. That they have side effects, like all other medicines, makes the monitoring essential. I've seen them work with quite a few acquaintances and friends.

This is NOT the point.

The POINT is habituation, over time, which is inevitable.

Also, another point, and an important point, is that the benefit from these drugs is often measured in only a few percent...ie... 2 to 5 percent better than placebo.

But, after years, this benefit turns NEGATIVE.

And, in the long-term, the result is NET HARM.

Most drug trials of the psychotropic kind, last only months, and not years.

So then, the drug companies have ZERO Evidence that there is any benefit, long-term.

The important question is benefit vs harm, over the long-term.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by GammaGlobulin

22 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I've seen them work with quite a few acquaintances and friends.

Your observations are MEANINGLESS.

In order to show efficacy, one MUST have a controlled study.

I presume you know the meaning of a properly controlled study.

Or, do you not?

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

This is NOT the point.

The POINT is habituation, over time, which is inevitable.

Also, another point, and an important point, is that the benefit from these drugs is often measured in only a few percent...ie... 2 to 5 percent better than placebo.

But, after years, this benefit turns NEGATIVE.

And, in the long-term, the result is NET HARM.

Most drug trials of the psychotropic kind, last only months, and not years.

So then, the drug companies have ZERO Evidence that there is any benefit, long-term.

The important question is benefit vs harm, over the long-term.

Actually it's over 60% for the medicines vs' 30% with a placebo. There are a few types of depression and that makes the point about which ones are on placebos, as seasonal and environmental depression will improve anyway in time or if the patient is taken out of the environments. The point is they need to be constantly monitored, adjusted and changed if needed.

I know these people for decades who are still totally functional using meds whereas before they were wrecks. They've had good doctors who did monitor them over time. The benefits are obvious. They're still alive, along with thousands upon thousands of others who have been on the correct ones with a good doctor.

6 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Your observations are MEANINGLESS.

In order to show efficacy, one MUST have a controlled study.

I presume you know the meaning of a properly controlled study.

Or, do you not?

Yes, I'm the one who studied depression for decades, to help family and friends who have it. Not one who gets interested in the disease and decides to google a few links. Decades, not a few links. My observations are as meaningful as any study as they include over 20 friends, family and others who have it, and still do. This also includes many books, podcasts on the disease. All are doing well, compared to a percentage. You like AI.........Yes, depression drugs can continue to work for many years for some people, but they can also stop working or cause new issues over time. Many individuals take them long-term to prevent depression from coming back, while others experience a loss of effectiveness.

How Long-Term Use Works

• Prevention: For people with a high risk of relapse, staying on medication for years helps keep symptoms away.

• Tolerance: Some people experience "antidepressant tolerance" (or tachyphylaxis), meaning the drug slowly stops having the same positive effect.

• Changes Over Time: Life changes, aging, or worsening stress can mean a dose needs to be adjusted or a new treatment plan is required.

Risks and Challenges of Many Years of Use

• Side Effects: Long-term use can bring ongoing issues like sexual problems, weight gain, or emotional numbness.

• Poop-Out Effect: A drug that worked well at first may seem to fade or cause fatigue and brain fog after chronic use.

• Withdrawal: Stopping a medication after years can cause strong withdrawal symptoms that feel similar to a return of depression.

  Which is what I've been saying. Monitoring, changing and adjusting. They have side effects, like I also said, but being alive is worth them.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by fredwiggy

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Yes, I'm the one who studied depression for decades, to help family and friends who have it. Not one who gets interested in the disease and decides to google a few links. Decades, not a few links. My observations are as meaningful as any study as they include over 20 friends, family and others who have it, and still do. This also includes many books, podcasts on the disease. All are doing well, compared to a percentage.

In order to test for efficacy of a psychotropic drug, or a psychiatric drug, one must collect data which is, primarily, subjective.

In addition, what "percentage" are you comparing to?

Your "results" from your family study are completely meaningless.

In order to show efficacy, you MUST do a properly controlled trial....

Have you???

NO, you have not.

Period....!!!!

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

In order to test for efficacy of a psychotropic drug, or a psychiatric drug, one must collect data which is, primarily, subjective.

In addition, what "percentage" are you comparing to?

Your "results" from your family study are completely meaningless.

In order to show efficacy, you MUST do a properly controlled trial....

Have you???

NO, you have not.

Period....!!!!

Read what I said.

Just now, fredwiggy said:

Read what I said.

I read it.

Thank you.

For severe depression, the most effective way to deal with it is often short term medication and major lifestyle changes to prevent future depression.

Later research suggests SSRIs have little or no long term effect once people stop taking them. Many end up back where they started, or even worse. Medication can help people through the worst period, but it does not necessarily solve the underlying problem.

What we do know is that activity, diet, sleep, structure, and constant work with thoughts and thought processes help many people. It does not mean you are cured, but over time you can change how your brain works through neuroplasticity.

The problem is that this takes work, every single day. Many people with depression simply do not have the energy or will to do it.

It is like diet. Most people know what they should and should not eat, yet many never change, even when they know they would be healthier if they did.

27 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Actually it's over 60% for the medicines vs' 30% with a placebo. There are a few types of depression and that makes the point about which ones are on placebos, as seasonal and environmental depression will improve anyway in time or if the patient is taken out of the environments. The point is they need to be constantly monitored, adjusted and changed if needed.

I know these people for decades who are still totally functional using meds whereas before they were wrecks. They've had good doctors who did monitor them over time. The benefits are obvious. They're still alive, along with thousands upon thousands of others who have been on the correct ones with a good doctor.

One could make the exact same argument for suggesting the use of Chinese medicine, and millions of people do.

Next, one supposes, you might want to extol the use of acupuncture?

But, before you do this: Please brush up on how to design a properly controlled trial...IF....you might wish to prove your point.

4 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

One could make the exact same argument for suggesting the use of Chinese medicine, and millions of people do.

Next, one supposes, you might want to extol the use of acupuncture?

But, before you do this: Please brush up on how to design a properly controlled trial...IF....you might wish to prove your point.

Read what I said.

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

For severe depression, the most effective way to deal with it is often short term medication and major lifestyle changes to prevent future depression.

WOW....Spoken like a true scientist.

You are correct.

We are not objecting to the very short-term use of psychotropic drugs as an intervention, during a crisis.

However, just from the perspective of the biology of the brain, as already mentioned......LONG-TERM use is POINTLESS.....since the brain always compensates when drugs are introduced.

Psychotropic drugs are being prescribed for not only depression, but for many other conditions.

Do patients or users consider the risks.....one year, five years, ten years....in the future?

Obviously, things are going in the RIGHT direction for the drug companies....for their future:

There may come a day when the drug companies, in concert with world governments, will add psychotropic drugs to our drinking water.

And, THAT will be the day we all take a BREAK from REALITY.....

Who would not wish to be sedated.....FREE OF CHARGE.....by the government?

5 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

WOW....Spoken like a true scientist.

You are correct.

We are not objecting to the very short-term use of psychotropic drugs as an intervention, during a crisis.

However, just from the perspective of the biology of the brain, as already mentioned......LONG-TERM use is POINTLESS.....since the brain always compensates when drugs are introduced.

Psychotropic drugs are being prescribed for not only depression, but for many other conditions.

Do patients or users consider the risks.....one year, five years, ten years....in the future?

You avoid the rest of my post, which is just as essential as what you pointed out.

Severe depression will eventually pass, and then you have a choice. You can continue down the same road as before, or make the changes you are able to make to reduce the risk of another episode.

Your brain and body are like a garden. You need to nurture them, take care of them, and remove what harms them. Continuing to cultivate the same patterns that often lead to depression will only produce more of the same. You need to cultivate positivity instead of negativity.

Constant rumination, and spending time and effort on negativity, is not a good recipe. In many cases, it becomes avoidance and an escape from the real issues that people should be using their time, energy, and effort to face and change.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

You avoid the rest of my post, which is just as essential as what you pointed out.

Severe depression will eventually pass, and then you have a choice. You can continue down the same road as before, or make the changes you are able to make to reduce the risk of another episode.

Your brain and body are like a garden. You need to nurture them, take care of them, and remove what harms them. Continuing to cultivate the same patterns that often lead to depression will only produce more of the same. You need to cultivate positivity instead of negativity.

Constant rumination, and spending time and effort on negativity, is not a good recipe. In many cases, it becomes avoidance and an escape from the real issues that people should be using their time, energy, and effort to face and change.

I did NOT avoid your entire comment.

I agree with your entire comment.

Consumption of psychotropic drugs supplied by pharmaceutical companies is only a short-term fix, since they do not remain effective...for long.

Therefore, if one does not find a more permanent and healthy solution, in the interim, while consuming psychotropic drugs, short-term, then one is surely bound to be back to square one, in a hurry.

The problem is that these companies are NOT being forthright in disclosing the information which they surely have.

Instead, they old out false hope....in a pill that will never be a long-term solution.

Also, proper psychiatric care requires much time and money, two resources which are in very short supply....these days.

What is most concerning is this idea of: benefit vs risk, or benefit at what cost, or no benefit at a high cost....take your pick.

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I did NOT avoid your entire comment.

I agree with your entire comment.

Consumption of psychotropic drugs supplied by pharmaceutical companies is only a short-term fix, since they do not remain effective...for long.

Therefore, if one does not find a more permanent and healthy solution, in the interim, while consuming psychotropic drugs, short-term, then one is surely bound to be back to square one, in a hurry.

The problem is that these companies are NOT being forthright in disclosing the information which they surely have.

Instead, they old out false hope....in a pill that will never be a long-term solution.

Also, proper psychiatric care requires much time and money, two resources which are in very short supply....these days.

What is most concerning is this idea of: benefit vs risk, or benefit at what cost, or no benefit at a high cost....take your pick.

Another thing people often underestimate is the placebo effect. Safe supplements can  be used as a less harmful tool. As long as you believe in it, the placebo effect can help the healing process and help you through a complicated period.

Severe depression still needs to be treated one way or another.

I assume that the OP is on them all the time since it spends most of its time replying to itself on AN!

18 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Another thing people often underestimate is the placebo effect. Safe supplements can  be used as a less harmful tool. As long as you believe in it, the placebo effect can help the healing process and help you through a complicated period.

Severe depression still needs to be treated one way or another.

This is also true.

And, in addition, it is often the case that the general public overestimates the benefits of a wide range of medications, even though the benefits are known, known by the pharmaceutical companies, to be far less than advertised. We can include cancer therapy here, as just one example.

Funny that nobody mentions the black box warnings. They just extol the virtues of the medication. I can’t put my finger on where I’ve seen it before. Perhaps @transam can jog my memory?

4 minutes ago, Airalee said:

Funny that nobody mentions the black box warnings.

Don't they happen as the aircraft crashes?

What makes many people age very badly is their excessive consumption of booze. Many also seem to ignore that eating bad food (that is over fat, greasy, salty or processed hams etc) can create depression and other medical problems related to the vagus nerve. Lack of physical exercise is also a know cause. Mental health is vital but it's origins are far more complex and so is the treatment that goes beyond gulping down a handfull of pills. But try to explain all this to many who seem on a slow death wish in Thailand, on seeing their lifestyle and habbits. Very sad in fact...

Only for recreational use, days past 🙄

3 hours ago, Airalee said:

Funny that nobody mentions the black box warnings. They just extol the virtues of the medication. I can’t put my finger on where I’ve seen it before. Perhaps @transam can jog my memory?

The most insidious aspect of the psychiatric drug situation in the USA, and increasingly elsewhere, is that the drug companies refuse to enlighten potential users concerning the difficulty of stopping use, should they wish to do so.

Especially, SSRI and SNRI meds....!!!!

Can anyone even believe that approximately 25 PERCENT of women are now consuming prescription psychotropic drugs?

But, apparently, this is true.

Also, alarming, is that the drug companies do not show, in any clear way, the benefits, in percentages, that paitents MIGHT expect, together with the risks, in percentages, meaning total risk.

Once patients start using a prescription psychiatric drug, they can become easily locked in, and users for decades, which is the best money-making strategy for the drug companies.

Anyone who loves scams, should really invest in drug companies.

They are the scammers, for sure: They will slightly tweak a drug formula, and then patent it under a new name, after the original drug becomes generic, which has long been known.

Drug company execs rarely if ever go to prison, unfortunately, even when they lie.

Seems that drug companies are marketing to White Women, judging by this bit of Gemni reporting.

If you've ever lived with, worked with etc any woman who's been on SSRIs for an extended period you'll know how dangerous they are.

Feminism removed the natural order and nuked the nuclear family (the real nuke = Enola Gay / Alone Aga) -

women can't cope so are turning to drugs in droves. Industry profits . soyciety suffers.

Pharmacia = Witchcraft.
That <deleted> is poison.

If there is a <deleted> on your carpet remove it as comprehensively as possible.
Don't just spray it with rose scented air freshener in the hope the stench will disappear - it won't.

6 hours ago, Hummin said:

Severe depression still needs to be treated one way or another.

Someone suggested: either snap out of it or bullett / pickaxe to the head.

Can't stop whinging, self pity and/or ASB?
Hopelessly addicted?
Can't stop <deleted> with people and/or doing crime?

A permanent cure to all these ills is available but would soyciety accept it?

8 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why do people take such a risk of taking psychotropic drugs?

Same reason you took coldvid jabs with no LT safety record and always leave the pharmacy with a big bag of antibiotics eevry time you visit -

Sold by an ex spurt (on commission) and blinded by the soyence.