America Fooled: The Truth About Antidepressants, Antipsychotics And How We've Been Deceived (Hardcover)

by Timothy Scott (Author) "Every semester I surprise many students (perhaps shock or anger are even more accurate terms) as I share facts related to the FDA's drug approval..." (more)
Key Phrases: chemical imbalance view, chemical imbalance theory, antidepressant drug effect, New England Journal of Medicine, New York, British Medical Journal (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An incredible title, well-written and well-researched. A worthwhile investment for your health. Information is power, and America Fooled delivers!" -- USABookNews.com

From the Publisher
America Fooled was selected as an Award-Winning Finalist in the "Health: Psychology/Mental Health" category of the Best Books 2006 Book Awards.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 523 pages
• Publisher: Argo Pub.; 1 edition (April 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977307506
• ISBN-13: 978-0977307500
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #482,599 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Depressing Facts about Antidepressants, July 19, 2006

By	Katherine Moss (Texas) - See all my reviews

I have found the truth and the truth has set me free!!! I cannot adequately express how important this book is. Anyone who is on antidepressants or antipsychotics must read this book, but be ready to be upset. When I have been lied to or lied about, that is my typical reaction.

I took antidepressants without ever being told of any long-term side effects . As I am getting older, I have found myself looking at my mother wondering how much like her I will be as a senior citizen. What I see are rhythmic involuntary movements of her face, feet, hands, a flat affect (that "DUH" look), tremors, etc. My mother has been on just about all of the medications mentioned in this book at one time or another and presently she is on many. It is scary to see!

How can these drugs be so freely prescribed without any warning being given to those of us who have received them? My nephew took his life after being on antidepressants for only three months. His life was difficult and he had some problems but I truly believe that he would be alive today if he had not been given them. Enough commentary, let's get on with the book review.

The book's strengths:

1. This is a very readable book. It tells a story and is filled with illustrations that make the reading very interesting.

2. I've never read a more carefully researched book. There are over 100 pages of references (which is nice since I didn't want to read 500 pages of text).

3. The book addresses the standard "proofs" for depression being caused by a chemical imbalance which I read about in my psychology courses and explains in clear terms why the standard proofs are not proofs at all. (If depression is due to a chemical imbalance as I was told, we could, I suppose, justify the current use of antidepressants for 30,000 children between 1 and 4 years of age and for half a million between the ages of 5 and 9.)

4. Facts I had never heard before filled the book's pages. For example, only after a Freedom of Information Act request was submitted did the FDA release the study results responsible for the approval of our first six antidepressants. The longest of those studies lasted only 8 weeks. Only 4 of the 45 studies had as many as 70% of the participants stay in the study until the end. Those who did not "improve" within two weeks were replaced with more compliant subjects. Yet, despite these and many more problems, those getting placebos sometimes did as well or better than those getting antidepressants.

5. The book is in three parts. All should be read, but the facts about antidepressants can be learned by reading Part 1 only. That part of the story can be read in a day. Part 3 is how to overcome depression without drugs, and it is the best thing I've ever read on that subject.

The book's weaknesses:

1. Though it moves quickly and you don't have to read all of the book, it is a long book if you do read it all.

2. Dr. Scott is a PhD, not an MD. He discusses the fact that MDs are not trained to design or critique medical research--that job falls to PhDs with a specialty in research design. As a nurse, I think it would still be best if he were an MD.

3. Dr. Scott appears to be a Christian. He mentions being at church, the importance of faith, states that "God made us," and so forth. This could be off-putting for atheists, agnostics and those of other religions.

4. The book's epilogue was not very optimistic. The author believes there is so much money now being made on antidepressants and antipsychotics (over $20 billion annually) that the constant advertising and marketing aimed at the public and physicians will continue for many, many years and that change will not come any time soon. I hope he is wrong. I know some insurance companies consider someone with a history of antidepressant use uninsurable. I assume that's because they know the medical problems that can develop and don't want to be responsible for those payments. But someday big lawsuits will surely shut down the antidepressant part of the drug industry. We will see.

I truly appreciate the author's willingness to research and share his findings, as controversial as they are. Sometimes there are so many lies told that the truth is hard to find. Dr. Scott has found the truth; let it set you free!! I wish to burden you with the moral obligation to share this information with those you love!!

Katherine Moss, a Nurse in Texas

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ!!, June 14, 2006

By	Bethany Hoelzle (Southern CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who has ever taken antidepressants or antipsychotics or for those who would consider doing so. Dr. Scott presents astonishing, well-researched information regarding mind drugs in this clearly written, easily understood book.
The author explains how Americans (both physicians and patients) have been fooled into believing the chemical imbalance theory. The book does a superb job describing the pharmaceutical companies' tactics for getting their drugs approved by the FDA and marketing them to physicians and the public....quite shocking!
Dr. Scott also does an excellent job at the end of his book informing the reader how to avoid and overcome depression without the use of psychiatric drugs. As a nurse, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to be read by all health care providers and those studying in the medical field.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drug companies want Dr. Scott to go away!, July 30, 2006

By	M. Stoneburner - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Scott on my radio health show. He is not only a very knowledgeable speaker but a fine researcher that truly understands clinical trials. Dr. Scott carefully unraveled the tricks of the trade drug companies use to get anti-depressants and anti-psychotics approved and on the market.

One in 10 women and one in 13 men take anti-depressants in this country. Here is the sad part, Dr. Scott says that some of these drugs are down right dangerous. Do yourself a favor and read this book and share your concerns with your doctor. You owe it to yourself to be an informed prescription user. Are you concerned you will be depressed even more after you read the book? Don't worry, America Fooled also offers alternative solutions to depression.

Dr. Scott has an uphill battle getting the word out. Drug companies spend a huge amount of advertising dollars in print and on the airways. Dr. Scott told our listeners that for every dollar the drug companies spend on advertising, they get $4 back. I would say that is a very good return on investment. I seriously doubt you will see articles in popular women and men's magazines where it belongs because the publisher doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds them.

I wish Dr. Scott well in his endeavor to educate the public. All monies derived from the book are donated to Habitat for Humanity.

Mimi Stoneburner
Host of Body Talk
K-TIP Radio