Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? the Rest of the Story on the New Class of Ssri Antidepressants Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan, Luvox & More. (Paperback)

~ (Author), Chase Shephard (Illustrator), Peter Breggin (Introduction)

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: Cassia Publications; 2nd edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916095592
• ISBN-13: 978-0916095598
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #389,317 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very bold and informative, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

I was stunned at the amount of research Dr. Tracy has done on this subject. Few researchers go to as much trouble agressively gathering information on the adverse reactions of Prozac, Zoloft and other SSRIs. I had reactions to this class of drugs and I did exhaustive research, coming up with only bits and pieces of information trying to find out exactly what happened to me. All the doctors that I visited were ignorant to what was happening to me, but after reading the book and understanding exactly what happened, why it happened and knowing that I wasn't alone with these "new" symptoms (She has personally interviewed hundereds, if not thousands of patients) I came to a realization that it was the drugs that caused those problems. She truly knows more about the subject of the effects of SSRIs on the human mind and body than any other doctor or researcher that I know of. I am looking forward to reading her next book. I know she is boldly continuing her research and has a book in the works.

I was slightly disappointed because the publisher did little or no proofreading and the typeset was difficult on the eyes, but I can overlook that.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless information that is giving Me back to Me., July 20, 2001

By	Thaddeus (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

Dr. Tracy's book is an objective presentation backed up by scientific studies that have been published in mainstream medical journals. "Prozac: Panacea or Pandora?" demonstrates the extreme dangers and ultimate ineffectiveness of SSRI's and other antidepressants as well as the utter failure of the psychiatric/medical community to recognize these dangers. Also addressed is the unethical marketing practices that the pharmaceutical companies use to promote these drugs, how the drugs work and cause damage to the body, and what the side effects are and how they are caused by these drugs. Lastly, the book details how one can come off of these very addictive drugs. On a personal note, I've taken antidepressants for most of the last 18 years. I could relate to at least 90% of the information that was related in Dr. Tracy's book. Now as I follow Dr. Tracy's advice on how to slowly come off of these drugs, I'm finding that my physical, spiritual and psychological health is slowly improving. I am so grateful for this information.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SSRI's = death of self!, August 12, 2002

By	"hugthecat" (United States) - See all my reviews

I was very impressed with the amount of research that went into this book. It has given me the courage to do something about the condition the SSRI's have put me in. Yes, most every one who takes an SSRI at first thinks they are great. Then over the years as the dosages have to be increased (proves the addictive nature of these drugs) and the side affects mount, one slowly changes their mind (If they are still capable of having a coherent thought anymore!) about the so called miracle drug. Once a savior, then turns into a demon.

I personally have lost my sense of self. I have short term memory problems where once my memory was phenomenal. I talk contstantly and can not seem to stop due to the muddled state the SSRI has put my mind in. Maybe I don't cry as much anymore but I don't laugh much either. I used to have many friends and now, I am so different and have not clue 1 how to make a friend. Maybe I just don't care. Drugged up I guess! People who know me now since the SSRI hell started really have no clue who I really am, this includes my own daughter. This saddens me. My entire personality has changed, some alternate being has take me over. I am easily confused and have trouble following a conversation.

As far as no lethal side effects how is sucide and murder and the lost of one's own mind (death of self) for lethal side effects! And the loss of my ability to really love anyone or care about anything, I find to be lethal as well. I might be easier to live with becauce I get angry less and am less irritable and I don't cry as much but at what cost? Just drug the patient and put them on a shelf and say they are cured cause they have lost the will and courage to stand up and shout, let me out of here, Zoloft has taken over. I am still under here, HELP!

I do find the book hard to digest due to the way it is written. It was written more for the professional than the patient. The average MD has to have cold hard facts and of cource kickbacks from the drug companies to believe anything.

It would have been nice to included a resource list of "real" doctors willing to help people get the heck off this poison. I felt this book did as superb job of identifing the problem, even though in my drugged state is was confusing to read, but no real concrete advice on what to do about it.

There is no such thing as a Zoloft/paxil/prozac deficiency, except in the mind of the almighty drug companies. (drug pushers would be a better name for them)

If you are depressed there are other answers out there other than SSRI's. The liver being full of toxins is said to be a cause of depression. That is where I plan to focus my healing. It took me two years to slowing come off Valium and am currently withdrawing from Neuronin which is even a more addictive drug and is harder to come of. It will probably take at least 3 years to totally be free of it and then years to come off the Zoloft. Then I will be Free, except for the damage these drugs have done to my system. If I had it to do again I would have taken a diffent path.

Thanks for writing this valuable book, without it I may never have connected my dwindling health to the SSRI's.