Customer Reviews

The Anti-Depressant Fact Book: What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Luvox

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This comprehensive book about anti-depressant medications picks up where Talking Back To Prozac left off. Dr. Breggin, through his vast personal experience and research as a medical expert in legal cases against the drug manufacturers, as well as his carefully documented research into the psychopharmacology of anti-depressants provides us with a great deal of information that is available no where else.

Although quite disturbing to read, The Anti-depressant Fact Book is so well written and so clear that it is appropriate reading for the mental health professional as well as for the general public. Dr. Breggin discusses the meaning and purpose of depression as an emotional response to things, people, and situations in our lives, rather than as a biochemical disease in our brains. He points out that depression also reflects the contrasting desire in us that we have to live a more creative, meaningful life. This is in sharp contrast to the majority of the psychiatric community who sees depression as an imbalance of brain chemicals that must be corrected by drugs.

Dr. Breggin explains in detail how the anti-depressant medications work, with special emphasis upon the selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors, (SSRIs') like Zoloft, Paxil, and Prozac. He carefully explains how the SSRI's block the reabsorbing of the brain chemical seratonin, causing an excess amount of it to accumulate in the spaces between neurons both in the brain and elsewhere. He goes on to explain how the brain then tries to fight back from this chemical assault by permanently eliminating receptors. This process is called "die-back" and results in sub-sensitivity of the receptors, better known as down regulation, leading to permanent dysfunction.

Dr. Breggin goes on to explain through current research findings, how the SSRI anti-depressants act in the brain like stimulants and he shows their striking similarities to the illegal drugs Ecstasy and cocaine in terms of dangerousness and the creation of Mania and akathesia. He goes on to describe a multitude of other problems that are directly attributable to these anti-depressants such as cardiovascular problems, parkinsonian symptoms, tardive dyskinesea, loss of sex drive, emotional blunting, suicide, and violent behavior. Of particular interest, Dr. Breggin highlights how these anti-depressant drugs often cause depression themselves, and particularly a very dangerous kind of depression; an agitated depression.

This book clearly spells out the great difficulties that people encounter when trying to stop taking these drugs and it suggests ways to soften the rebound and withdrawal effects of the drugs. Breggin also devotes a chapter to the special problems encountered when children are given anti-depressants along with the exceptional; brain damage that occurs. He goes on in yet another chapter to discuss the resurgence of electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) and to psychosurgery as treatments for depression. He likens ECT to a "closed-head electrical trauma to the brain." He also devotes a section to how some of the recent school violence and school shootings are linked to the anti-depressants.

Finally, Dr. Breggin devotes the last part of this book to how one can go about seeking real help for depression without the use of these dangerous and brain damaging medications. He describes how to find a therapist and what to look for in a therapist. I have found this book, written by one of the most well known and well respected psychiatrists in the world, a voluminous source of necessary and previously unobtainable information about anti-depressant medications. It is meticulously documented and highlights Dr. Breggin's lifelong work as the "conscience of psychiatry." I could not recommend it more highly to both the professional mental health community and to the public.

Dr. Breggin is clearly biased against psychotropic medication, but to discount his work on that basis is a mistake. He is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist with impeccable credentials, and his education and training led him to the beliefs he now holds. I find his writing and his views extremist: what it comes down to is a "blank slate" philosophy where environment is all that matters, not inborn traits. However, this is a helpful counterargument to the current biomedical model of mental illness where environment is irrelevant. Both views are too simplistic, as any thinking clinician will tell you that mental illness is almost always multiply determined, i.e. caused by several factors. People are not born depressed, but may become depressed over events in their lives; the genetic part involves how much it takes to make one depressed (or manic, or schizophrenic, or whatever illness it may be).

Your physician will not give you the information in this book. Breggin will not tell you how beneficial medication can be. Take the information from both sides so you can make an informed decision before accepting serious, long-term medication.

If you are looking for a good, general overview of the "other side" to commonly prescribed anti-depressants (which are far too frequently prescribed without much concern or interest in the actual good or bad they might do, IMHO), then this is your book. Well-researched, well argued, well analyzed. This should be the 1st book you reach for, if your doctor or psychiatrist recommends Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, or Luvox. Dr. Breggin does focus on the negative effects (higher rates of suicide and violence, increases in depressive feelings, criminal behavior, and dangerous drug interactions to name a few) and he is clearly not a strong proponent of the prescribing or taking of these strong drugs. But this is exactly the kind of person you want out there, providing you with this type of information that you would otherwise NOT get. Think about it: the TV and magazine ads and articles about these "wonder drugs," your doctor(s), your friends who are already on these drugs, those crappy little "warning" labels printed up by the pharmaceutical companies and included with your prescription--how many of them fully discuss these other effects or even admit that they exist? But now you will know about them, and you will be in a much better place to make a fully informed, wise choice about the course of your medical treatment for depression. That alone is invaluable. Now it can be yours for the price of this book. Yes, these drugs can help some people. But please make sure you know the "other side" of the story, too.

Dr. Breggin, Harvard-trained, is my favorite among psychiatrists and psychologists who have written on this subject. As he weighs "nature vs. nurture" as causes of depression, his comments emphasize environmental causes more than genetic or purely physiological causes. So why is this not bias? Because it's a valid view that needs to be stated in our social climate of overly pharmaceutical treatment tendencies.
Since publishing my report, Mormon Women, Prozac® and Therapy (readable on the internet by entering that title or my name into Google or other search engine), I received responses from nearly 3,000 readers, nearly all of whom were women who agreed with the general comments of the outlook represented by Dr. Breggin.
Breggin is, above all, honest and fearless (he can afford to be, because of his ultracredible track record) in his warnings, assessments and general recommendations. While acting without a personal vendetta toward drug companies, he champions the position of so many women who have been whipsawed and manipulated by sometimes hapless physicians who too often have been in turn manipulated by under-educated drug salesmen who essentially parrot what the companies they represent have taught them.
I don't think it would be reasonably possible to recommend this book too highly, to medical professionals, therapists and counselors, and thinking readers in general.

Breggin's attack on serotonin-enhancing drugs claimed to be "anti-depressants" should be seen as a valuable cautionary in an environment which, due to the power of the drug-makers and the billions of dollars at stake, tends to promote them as "happy pills." More controversial are his claims that depression is not a "disease" and that the use of antidepressant medications can cause irrevocable brain damage. The present-day tendency of calling numerous human problems "diseases" can, as Breggin asserts, discourage human solutions. On the other hand, if the problem is "hereditary," it may not be so amenable to common-sense, willful, "humane cures" as Breggin claims. Moreover, the assertion concerning brain damage places him on relatively safe ground, since the widespread use of Prozac is scarcely more than 10 years old.
Breggin touches on but fails to develop some important points. He suggests, for example, that the AARP is more interested in serving the big drug companies than helping its members but then drops the point. Certainly just as disturbing as the numerous prescriptions of antidepressants to patients motivated by a television ad to seek instant happiness is the indiscriminate prescription of antipsychotics to the elderly, especially in nursing homes where "behavioral problems" are an issue.
In short, Breggin has covered this ground before. He's David going up against Goliath, a brave Lilliputian challenging the likes of Eli Lilly, and he doesn't let us forget it for an instant, reminding us of his credentials and past battles at every opportunity. Many of the "facts" he provides in this book are no more than the warnings of side-effects that are listed in the instructions coming with the medication. In fact, Breggin frequently quotes them, as though by doing so he has made his case.
In short, this book will be of little value to the reader who has not been taken in by the extravagant claims and shameless promotions of the pharmaceutical industry or who has taken the time to look up information about a medication. On the other hand, for anyone who imagines that these medications do what they claim to do and that they are without side-effects potentially as disabling as the condition they are purported to treat, the book should be required reading.

This should be required reading for anyone who is taking or knows some one considering taking an anti-depressant. I literally could not believe what I read in this book. The influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the media, as well as the medical profession is completely beyond reprehensible. Studies conducted by the pharmaceutical industry - sometimes as short as 6 weeks - are somehow considered sufficient evidence for the release of these drugs to the public.

Dr. Breggin is biased, but he is biased for good reason. Many people are taking these drugs without knowledge that the clinical data has been manipulated to cover the hazardous side effects while promoting an innacurate picture of their efficacy.

A highly readable and extremely informative book, well worth it's cover price.

Peter Breggin has done it again. He has managed to overwhelm the fair-minded reader with so much knowledge, good sense and wisdom that it is impossible for him/her to reject his air-tight, wholly sensible arguments. The fact that he has been privy to the most sensitive data--internal documents from pharmaceuticals, hundreds of published and unpublished research articles, etc.--makes him the most qualified individual in the world to look critically at both the modern "antidepressants" and the empires that create and market them. If only every consumer could witness a debate between Dr. Breggin and the "champions" of the pharmaceuticals...what a glorious drubbing these champions would suffer! If you are considering buying this book, do yourself a grand favor: do it. Read it once. Don't attempt to highlight the good parts, because the whole book would be covered in marker. Then read it again. You will become determined to look critically at the propoganda that is foisted on you every day in the media regarding "antidepressants" and biopsychiatry. Every page is illuminating, shocking, sensible, sound, and ultimately, encouraging. I could not recommend this book any more highly.

Good review of the negative aspects of SSRIs (and there are many). Would have given it five stars, but he leaves out the very important fact that SSRIs can sometimes cause permanent sexual dysfunction after the drugs are stopped. This has long been overlooked by the medical community and should be included here. Do a goolge search for details.

First, for those who keep saying that mental problems are not bio-chemical, that is like saying your heart doesn't increase when you get up to take a run. MIRs show that our brains are "doing" things under certain conditions/thoughts/feelings. What is our brain composed of? MANY biochemical components. The problem people are having with this fact is that people will medicate themselves unnecessarily when they feel any negative emotion, e.g. sadness, etc. I agree that is ridiculous and human emotions are to be experienced; there is a reason you get depressed, sad, anxious. It might be your bodies way of telling you something in your environment isn't right, you need to correct it. However.....

Medication is over-prescribed and I've seen it do more harm than good, however, I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. I go into a store and completely lose my mind and have to leave, I sometimes run out of meetings, I constantly feel like I'm having a heart attack, sometimes I cannot leave my house in total fear. These are things that you CAN work on without medication, BUT sometimes these symptoms are so debilitating and strong you cannot escape them without some help with medicine.

I'm avidly against having to take medication, but some peoples problems are so severe they need help. As I said before, could my environment be causing my craziness? Yes but my environment actually isn't all that bad for me personally. So sometimes peoples brains are more apt to biochemical disturbances and imbalances for NO reason. I get lots of sun (sun has an effect on serotonin), I eat foods that increase serotonin, I have a happy life, good job, everything is awesome, but one day completely went nuts and couldn't leave my house, would get dizzy working out, and all the symptoms above. It wasn't just thoughts causing these problems. There was something taking place in my brain not normal. I took zoloft--low dosage--and it helped rid this problem and now I'm not taking it anymore. It helped me. I read that SSRIs can cause permanent damage over long periods of use, and high dosages. I wouldn't doubt it, but as with all things in life, you need temperance and balance. I think psychiatrist and doctors abuse prescribing to their patients. I think pharmaceutical companies can be bad, but there are TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. Yes, money is the driving force behind pharmaceutical companies, not ultimately their patients, however, they do make medicine that can be effective, albeit the end-user being CAUTIOUS and smart about taking it. Any drug when taken too much can be bad, whether it's coffee, marijuana, or what have you. Having knowledge of that substance and a will power to have balance is key.

Dr. Breggen is mostly right but he also disregards people who have legitimate mental disorders that cannot easily be remedied. In fact, he doesn't go to explain how to remedy panic disorder from my searches. What would a person like myself do who was about to quit their job because they were losing their mind at work? Medicine stabalized me. Yes it had side-effects, but I wasn't going nuts anymore. I was also able to get off it. I only took it long enough to get better, then weaned off.

When I first saw this book, the title seemed very plain and a little simple, but there was something that intrigued me about this book, so I bought it and I'm glad I did. There is so much important information that I found in this book and its only about 200 pages. There are 16 chapters and well over 100 sub-chapters that cover everything that you could possibly ever need to know. I've read the other reviews about this book and some are claiming that this book is one-sided, yes, the one side is the truth about antidepressants. You want the other side, here it is, Big Pharma lies to us and its all in the name of money, big money. The more you dig and follow the money trail behind the scenes, the more you will find the truth about what is really important, your health. No one is looking out for you, but you. Dr. Peter R. Breggin gets to the bottom of these issues and brings them to us in an easy to read, black and white format. He spells everything out carefully and is not afraid to point fingers and name names. If you are taking antidepressants, you will need to read this book, all the sub-chapters make it easy to find and pinpoint the exact thing you are looking for. Depression can be dealt with without the use of harmful antidepressants, do yourself a favor and get the facts, there in this this book.