Reply #21: I Read The First

[RobinA]

Whitaker book and found he has a bit of an ax to grind. Document this, Whitaker: Come to the psychiatric hospital I work in and see people on their meds and then off their meds. Then tell me they don't work. No one says they don't have side effects, some times bad side effects. So does chemotherapy. One can always chose to be locked in a mental hospital or jail for life, some do by not taking meds, or dead of cancer because they can't tolerate chemo and all it entails. I've also observed the "no meds" psychiatric movement where people try to, with a lot of support from friends and family, coping skills training, and above average insight try to go medless. They always come and talk when they are doing well and medless seems possible. Ask about them five years later. Sadly, all too many have invoked the ultimate "coping skill." Is dead better than diabetic from psych. meds? Unfortunately, we can't ask them.