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Overmedication Nation
listen:
  Author Charles Barber says that Americans obsessed with the quick fix are abusing antidepressant drugs more than ever - and he has the numbers to back his claim up. Psychotropic drugs from Ritalin to Prozac are now the number one category of dispensed medicine in the country, with the U.S. accounting for two-thirds of the global antidepressant market. We’ll explore how we got here, and the consequences of a nation on antidepressants. Guest
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paul corrao, m.d. I've given up hope of making an input to the Exchange by phone or email, and I won't try again. But in the interest of truth, the show, and completeness, I informed David Oaks of Mindfreedom.org about the show and the guest. You won't listen to me, but you mark my words- the over medicating of students, especially (because they are beside themselves borrowing huge amounts of money they can't pay back, among other stresses they suffer)is responsible for this rash of shootings, such as the recent one at NIU, and David can speak to this with first-hand knowledge, and tremendous experience. Paul Corrao, M.D.
And people wonder why there's an obesity "epidemic" in America! In my experience--and many, MANY others experiences--SSRI antidepressants, i.e. Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa/Lexapro, cause SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT GAIN. These medications can have numerous and sundry side-effects, yet every talk show I've heard/watched that lauds them NEVER, NEVER, NEVER mention these "minor" details. SSRI's in particular SLOW down gut activity --does "hard as a rock" suggest anything? (there are Rx drugs for THAT, too--AND they can increase appetite to a level of constant hunger. Who doesn't eat when they're hungry?!?
Further, to conclude my rant, I seriously think SSRI's could be used as a very effective method of contraception. Why? Well, those "sexual side effects" quickly mentioned in television ads and microscopically in the package insert include diminished to non-existent libido, erectile dysfunction in men (both up and down issues) and inability to orgasm in both men and women. And Effexor, the one they either switch you to or ADD to an SSRI in the event of such sexual dysfunction, can trigger skull-splitting, eye-popping MIGRAINE headaches. ("Not tonight, Dear, I have a headache...really.")
The side-effects of antidepressant medications are depressing in and of themselves. There's "fat'n happy", then there's not.
Not everyone suffers those side effects. Years ago, my first anti-depressant was an SSRI, Zoloft, and I LOST 30 lbs, making me look ghastly. I have been on Effexor XR for about 6 years, with NO side effects, except when I forget to take it, which rarely happens, I do get "brain Zaps"..but I know if I came off it slowly, this would not happen. But yes, I do worry about long term effects, and I am in agreement that SSRI's are a joke, and just a "Oh you have the blues" money maker. WE ARE AN OVERMEDICATED NATION....whoever allowed there to be TV commercials about drugs that only your doctor should tell you about??? Biggest mistake in my opinion...
There's a big difference between the blues and clinical depression. And dont' forget, that taking some of these things can lead you to having manic episodes you may not have had, and then are prescribed MORE meds!!
Hi,
This is something I feel VERY strongly about, and actually find it funny I found this site tonight, as i was in the shower earlier, and I was thinking that abusers of Prescription drugs and painkillers should be more severely punished than those using illlegal drugs..
My reason, I am a sufferer of chronic pain in my lower back, and due to all the abuse going on, it is hard for me to get the kind of relief I need.
The last state I was in was Tennessee, and that was just in January. I got a recommendation to have surgery on my back problem, so I came home to be with my family for help with the aftercare...
Well, while I was in TN, I found out that it was the only state with an actual "Prescription Drug Task Force"! They are incredibly strict in their Pain Management clinics. I actually got kicked out of one because one month I was short 4 pills of one medication out of 2. There was no chance for me to explain. Also, in the 14 months I had been taking pain medication such as Morphine and Oxycontin, I had never been short before. So I was basically banned from every Pain Clinic in the Nashville area. But I went on, with no medications to have many tests done, and that's when I got the surgical reccommendation.
Since I have been in NH, I have been given 1 prescription by my Primary Care, to take away some of the discomfort until I saw a Pain Specialist. Well, I saw one, and no medication was prescribed, even though he said he could see and feel that every bone and muscle in my body was being affected by the back pain.
I am young,a musicain, have dyed hair, and tattoos. I know, and have been told that I have been profiled. This is not fair.
I get physically sick if I eat and move around too much, due to pain. I am following this Dr's orders and doing PT and Reiki, but they do nothing to take away the BONE pain.
I truly believe that it is the ppl who abuse them that keep me from getting them. It's not fair.
The same also happens to my friend in Nashville who is dying of Rhuemetiod Arthritis.
I want these people to spend a day with people who really need what they take away from us to have a "good time". If your pain is bad enough, you don't get high. It just takes the pain away. That's all I ask for.
Prosecute the users so the ones who really need it can get it....do they want us to go to the street???
Thank you for your time...I had alot to get out.