UK DOCS SPLIT BONUS TO DIAGNOSE 'MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS'

Image: ght.org.uk

The Guardian ran an article at the start of February regarding the push for doctor's in the UK to spot mental health problems in patients. The doctors, writes Randeep Ramesh and Sarah Boseley, will be in for a cash windfall if they can detect the "disease" early and nip it in the bud.

A pot of £150m has been set aside for docs to reduce the risk of depression in children and adults. The scheme is being backed by UK health ministers who claim that a new approach is needed that tackles the underlying causes of the illness which represents a third of GP cases.

Mental health costs the NHS £10bn a year. Do ministers think by offering docs to diagnose an illness that is undiagnosable will reduce this bill?

The article goes on to say, "There is a particular focus on children as half of mental health problems start before the age of 14."

The psychopharma monopoly are at it again folks and we are going the way of America.

This is dine and dash by proxy. It's the UK government doing the job of the drug rep.

The article continues:

Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister, said there would be an additional investment of £400m to "improve access to modern, evidence-based psychological therapies over the next four years".

Yeh right!

And we can believe Nick Clegg, right?

The only reason psychiatric drugs are handed out is because there are no alternatives. Sure we have counsellors in the UK but the waiting list can be up to three months. What better way to treat the patient with a course of mind altering drugs until they can get an appointment with a counsellor. By then it will be too late, another statistic will be hooked on medication, another statistic will fall foul to the poison that is prescribed for an "illness" that makes the pharmacuetical industry billions of pounds.

Yeh, I'm a cynic. One only has to look at the United States to see the statistics of children doped up to the eyeballs on psychiatric medication. Jeez, if a kid farts in the classroom in the States he/she is either carted off to a mental health holding unit for 72 hours or told they cannot return to school unless they agree to take a course of medication.

The Guardian article continues with:

"Professor David Richards of Exeter University, national adviser to IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), the programme set up to increase the number of therapists and ensure more patients get access to talking therapies, said any suggestion that the £400m was new money was "a lie".

"He said it had been explained at a meeting of the IAPT group two weeks ago that the money would have to come from the existing NHS budget. "We were very disturbed when we found this out," said Richards.

"I personally feel very aggrieved that mental health is being used by this government to shore up its very poor opinion poll ratings and I don't want to be part of it."

I doubt very much if this cash bonus for docs is aimed at getting patients on talk therapy. With 15 minute slots for each patient becoming more like 5 minutes these days, docs will merely reach for the prescription pad before the patient has time to sit down.

Job losses, peer pressure and debt are sending thousands of patients to doctor's surgeries on a daily basis - these are people who are suffering pressure and NOT a mental illness.

As for targeting children under 14 because "...mental health problems start before the age of 14." - complete and utter bullshit.

If Clegg and Cameron think a cash incentive for docs to diagnose a mental illness will see thousands flock to counsellors to 'talk' then they are very much mistaken.

Sir Winston Churchill ran a country through a World War. Millions of children were left without fathers...but they 'got on with it' without the need for psychiatric drugs.

Churchill once said, "If you're going through hell, keep going", a rousing rally to the brave who put their lives on the line for us all and the country, as a whole, who were left behind to pick up the pieces.

It appears that modern day politicians would prefer the term, "If you're going through hell, take a pill"

Tossers.

Rant over.

Fid

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Callous-Unemotional Traits - The DSM to Strike Again!

Psychiatry: Gambling with our children
Image: almightydad.com

With so many advocates working hard to stop the drugging of children it comes as no surprise that the American Association for the Advancement of Science are rolling out "the importance of callous-unemotional traits (CU) in identifying children at risk of antisocial behavior and other adjustment problems."

Research, writes Medical News Today, presented by Indiana University Bloomington faculty member Nathalie M.G. Fontaine, finds that the emergence of CU traits in childhood is in most cases influenced by genetic factors, especially in boys. However, environmental factors appear to be more significant for the small number of girls who exhibit high levels of CU traits.

The research apparently showed that 5 to 10 percent of children showed CU traits, such as a lack of emotion and a lack of empathy or guilt.

Nathalie M.G. Fontaine, who presented the research, said; ""If we could identify those children early enough, we could help them as well as their families."

The 2010 study also appears in the Journal of American Academy of Child and Asolescent Psychiatry. The study included 9,462 youths from the Twins Early Development Study, a population-based sample of twins from the United Kingdom.

You thought it was just America these morons were targeting?

Think again.

Last year I wrote about Australia's "Man of the Year" Patrick McGorry. He has basically come up with the same idea, to catch mental health disorders in children early. More on McGorry at CCHR

Unbelievable - A child can walk into a surgery in the UK today and can be diagnosed with one of the many lists of apparent psychiatric disorders invented by the DSM, it can take as little as 15 minutes to diagnose a child based on a series of questions and answers.

Fuck it, let's cut out the middle man and tell the child years before hand that he/she is going to get some sort of psychiatric disorder later in life.

Complete and utter psycho babble and designed to make the pharmaceutical industry lots of money and build a nation full of drug induced zombies.

What on earth is going on here, why are adult human beings predicting whether or not a child will fall foul of a mental disorder?

With the use of psychiatric drugs in children in America already apparent, Australia and the UK seem to be following suit. We are slowly becoming a nation with a 'couldn't care less' attitude.

Lay down and let this happen and there is going to be a lot of heartache in the years ahead.

Don't label children with disorders that they may get in future years, in fact don't label them at all.

I foresee a future where you are asked if you are getting your 5 a day won't mean fruits and vegetables, it will mean your 5 medications that you have become hooked on because of some predisposed illness you were told you may get.

It's insanity, it's perverse, it's downright fucking evil.



Fid

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2011 CCHR Human Rights Awards Banquet

Copyright CCHR International

A gathering of like-minded people.

A show of solidarity in the fight against the drugging of children.

A feeling of an intense connection with those you meet.

That was the Bonaventure Hotel, Los Angeles on Saturday 12th February as the Citizens Commission on Human Rights [CCHR] hosted their 43rd annual award ceremony - count them folks, that's 43.

I learned last year that I had been chosen to receive an award at this years event, along with two far more worthy winners than I, in Amy Philo and Celeste Steubing.

It's pretty difficult, even for the likes of me, to put into words of how proud I was to be amongst such strong advocates. To have ones work recognized by the biggest bad ass movement out there is very humbling. Uplifting isn't a word I would normally use for an event that highlights death and family destruction, in this instance I can think of no better description.

I have met so many wonderful people, each with their own sad stories to tell, each with hearts full of kindness, love and camaraderie. CCHR are without a shadow of a doubt the masters of creating awareness. A room with 1200 people was evidence of that, as were the tears of finally realising that no parent has to suffer the death of their child to psychiatric drugs alone.

Here we have an organisation who pretty much grab this sick and twisted industry by the bollocks and don't let go until they get a result.

I'm scratching my head hard here to think of another organisation, that gives power to the people, who can boast the achievements that CCHR can.

Okay, I don't want to sound like I'm sticking my tongue down the back of their trousers or in the LA Hubs instance, skirts - they pretty much know how I feel about them. I love them to bits for what they have done...and what they continue to do.

I got to meet many familiar names I had only previously seen via the medium of blogs/websites, even met new faces whom are now firm friends.

Folk from all over the world attended this years event, Brits, Canadians, Americans, Japanese... many more.

You see, CCHR and I are alike in as much that we have a pretty 'bang on' sense of humour. What could piss off GlaxoSmithKline more than Bob Fiddaman getting an award for basically highlighting their dark history? With a wry smile someone at CCHR thought it would be highly entertaining to sit me around a table with the office of Baum Hedlund Attorneys. A classic two finger salute to the Paxil/Seroxat Pushers.

The event was a red carpet affair complete with tuxedos and stunning frocks, I opted for the tux before anyone shouts "Fid is a transvestite!"

I am deeply honoured to be recognised by the whoop ass machine that is CCHR. I am deeply humbled to share in the experiences of the mothers I met, Celeste, Maria, Sheila, Christian, Amy, Mathy, each with heart-wrenching stories, each with the courage and strength to keep on fighting against the very same people that caused them heartache.

I feel privileged to sit at the very same table as the Baum gang, even more privileged to visit their offices and to share lunch and dinner with them. Here we have a law firm that do what they do because they don't like what they see. It's not about money for Baum, it's about the victims.

I've been hugged by a zillion people, chaperoned around Hollywood, been treated like a movie star because there's a bunch of people across the pond who can actually see what I have been up against during my time writing this blog. Special thanks to the British actor, Hal Ozsan, who presented me with my award with a very touching introduction.

Watch this space folks - I'm about to embark on a journey that will see a whole bunch of us kick some New Zealand psych's ass into the middle of next week, a Prozac pusher with no empathy and one who has a complete disdain for human life. I'm with the sisterhood on this one.


Fid

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Step up to the plate - Dr. Alex Yellowlees

I was utterly flabbergasted this morning when I learned that yet another "media doctor" was handing out stone-age advice regarding the safety and efficacy of antidepressants.

In an article by Julie Anne-Barnes that appeared in the Scottish Daily Mail, she quotes a certain Dr. Alex Yellowlees, who apparently 'specialises in the treatment of depression'

She writes:

"Consultant psychiatrist Dr Alex Yellowlees, who specialises in the treatment of depression, said that the number of prerscriptions for antidepressants had increased rapidly because of their effectiveness.

"He said: 'They work for quite a range of conditions, whether it is anxiety or depression, and there is good therapeutic evidence that they work.'

"'The fact they can deal with a number of issues and are so low on side effects means they are going to be popular.They are clinically effective.'

Yellowlees, according to his online biography, is much sought after by the media for comment on a wide range of psychological issues. His online biography also claims that he is a specialist in eating disorders and is a Medical Director of the Priory Hospital situated in Glasgow, Scotland.

Newspaper articles can often misquote and/or quotes can be taken out of context. If Yellowlees can show me where there is evidence that SSRi's are "so low on side effects" and that is the reason they are "popular".

The MHRA Yellow Card reporting system would suggest that Yellowlees has either been misquoted or he just doesn't know what he is talking about. Search the MHRA Print Outs for adverse reactions to SSRi's.

Early last year I wrote about another "media doctor", Dr Hilary Jones. Jones often gives advice on GMTV, a programme watched by many millions. Jones also gives advice online.

Here's an email he received and his subsequent 'advice'

Should I stop my antidepressants?

Q: After losing my job last year I was diagnosed with mild depression and prescribed Seroxat. I've been on the tablets for a few months and feel much better now. Is it OK to just stop taking them? Jemma, 29

A: The symptoms of depression vary but can include feeling exhausted, tearful, guilty, worthless, and being unable to sleep or eat. When you lost your job you probably experienced some of these symptoms.

It's great that you feel better now, but do you know what has brought about this change? Hopefully you have overcome the problems you suffered when you lost your job, but the Seroxat you've been taking will have boosted the serotonin levels in your brain, making you feel happier.

Your body is used to the effects of the pills, so if you stop taking them suddenly you can experience side effects such as disturbed sleep and flu-like symptoms. Talk to your GP - he may suggest you wean yourself off the pills gradually. Stop taking a tablet every third day for a fortnight, then every other day for a fortnight. Then you should be ready to stop altogether. If the depression returns, go back to your GP for guidance.

"Stop taking a tablet every third day for a fortnight, then every other day for a fortnight. Then you should be ready to stop altogether."

Bad advice Dr Jones.

Bad advice Dr Yellowlees.

Here's the article where Yellowlees is quoted:

Special thanks to Annie Bevan for sending the scanned article to me.

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PAXIL/SEROXAT ADDICTION

Video for the MHRA and EMEA...Oh, Glaxo's lawyers too!



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Seroxat book almost here

Well, it's been long enough coming but it looks as though my book will be available in print very shortly.

For the past 4 months or so I've been painstakingly working with my editor, Kathy Sharrad. We have chopped and changed and even stripped the original PDF file that has been available for download for the past year or so.

A foreword has been written for me, you will have to wait and see who it is that has wrote it.

I'd like to thank all of those who helped make this happen, all those who blog on a regular basis, all those that keep coming back to read my work, all those that have offered their support since the creation of this blog 5 years ago.

The encouragement offered when I wanted to throw the towel in on the whole project will never be forgotten.

I'm very proud of the book. I hope you all find it informative and I hope it gives a wake up call to those who think everything is peachy with the way SSRi's are regulated here in the UK, in particular, Seroxat.

From next week I will be taking a short break. I'll tell you all why upon my return.

Exciting times ahead it would appear.

Chapters for the book, The evidence, however, is clear...the Seroxat scandal, of which there are 21, are as follows:

Chapter 1: Highway to hell
Chapter 2: Cold turkey
Chapter 3: A chemical imbalance: the serotonin myth
Chapter 4: Meet with me Mr Woods, part I
Chapter 5: The Yellow Card Scheme
Chapter 6: GlaxoSmithKline
Chapter 7: When the rot set in at GlaxoSmithKline
Chapter 8: Remove your video ... or else!
Chapter 9: Sara and Sharise
Chapter 10: Meet with me Mr Woods, part II
Chapter 11: The meeting and the influence of blogs
Chapter 12: It’s one big game
Chapter 13: Rob Robinson
Chapter 14: Brand name confusion
Chapter 15: The kids are alright
Chapter 16: You scratch our backs and ... we won’t scratch yours!
Chapter 17: GlaxoSmithKline Guilty
Chapter 18: Is Seroxat a teratogen? Goodbye MHRA
Chapter 19: Show me the way to Puerto Rico: the Glaxo whistleblower
Chapter 20: Field of dreams: the SSRI scandal
Chapter 21: Only in America

Be back in a couple of weeks folks.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Fid

UPDATED:

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Glaxo Pandemic Vaccine Under Scrutiny

Image: .sleep-aid-tips.com

It appears The World Health Organisation [WHO] are reviewing the GlaxoSmithKline pandemic vaccine over ties to narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks.

WHO were alerted to a recent study ,"Increased risk of narcolepsy observed among children and adolescents vaccinated with Pandemrix", whereby the authors found that:

Among those 4-19 years of age who received Glaxo's Pandemrix vaccine had a manifold increased risk of falling ill with narcolepsy during the 8 months following vaccination in comparison to those unvaccinated in the same age group. Based on the evaluation done so far, the National Narcolepsy Task Force finds it probable that Pandemrix®-vaccination contributed to the observed increase in incidence of narcolepsy among those 4 -19 years of age.

The study, conducted in parts of Scandanavia, found that 60 children and adolescents aged 4-19 years fell ill with narcolepsy. The figures were based on data from hospitals and primary care, and the review of individual patient records by a panel of neurologists and sleep researchers. Of those fallen ill, 52 (almost 90 percent) had received Glaxo's Pandemrix vaccine.

The report concludes:

By January 24, 2011, 56 notifications of narcolepsy in association with Pandemrix vaccination have been received by the National Vaccine Adverse Events Register maintained at the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland. Of these, 54 cases belonged to the age group of 4–19 years. Among most of the notified cases, the onset of symptoms of narcolepsy had started approximately two months following Pandemrix vaccination.

Not to worry though. The pharma industry can control your narcolepsy with medication such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]

...and so the cycle continues...

HAT-TIP - PHARMALOT


Fid

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EMEA ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS SSRI's

Back in October 2010 I made a request under the freedom of information to the European Medicines Agency [EMEA]. My request was partly met by the EMEA but, as ever with these regulatory bodies, lacked transparency.

Yesterday they came through with that request.

I basically wanted a breakdown of adverse reactions caused by each of the SSRi class of drugs.

Instead, the EMEA collated all the adverse reactions stating:

"According to 'Eudravigilance Access Policy for Medicines for Human Use', no medicinal product name can be disclosed can be disclosed upon request..."

A search, they told me, was conducted in Eudravigilance, based on the following criteria:

** Active substance - zimeldine 1; fluoxetine 2; citalopram 3; paroxetine 4; sertraline 5; alaproclate 6; fluvoxamine 7; etoperidone 8; escitalopram 9.

In other words:

1. Zimelidine [Brand names, Normud, Zelmid] has been banned worldwide due to serious, sometimes fatal, cases of central and/or peripheral neuropathy known as Guillain-Barré syndrome and due to a peculiar hypersensitivity reaction involving many organs including skin exanthema, flu-like symptoms, arthralgias, and sometimes eosinophilia. Additionally, zimelidine was charged to cause an increase in suicidal ideation and/or attempts among depressive patients.

2. Fluoxetine [Brand name Prozac, was introduced shortly after zimelidine was removed from the shelves]

3. Citalopram [Brand names Celexa, Cipramil] In the United States, citalopram, like other antidepressants, carries a black box warning stating that it may increase suicidal thinking and behavior in those under age 24. It is still prescribed to minors.

4. Paroxetine [Brand names Aropax, Paxil, Seroxat) - The most controversial of all SSRi's, classed as a teratogen in the United States but not in the UK

5. Sertraline [Brand names Zoloft, Lustral] In 1999, Zoloft came under great public scrutiny after it was discovered that Eric Harris, one of the two shooters involved in the Columbine High School massacre, had been taking the drug before taking Luvox. Many immediately pointed fingers at zoloft and fluvoxamine.

6. Alaproclate (GEA-654) is a psychoactive drug and research chemical derived from zimelidine (Normud, Zelmid) that was being developed as an antidepressant by the Swedish pharmaceutical company Astra AB (now AstraZeneca) in the 1970s. It acts as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), and along with zimelidine and indalpine, was one of the first of its kind. Development was discontinued due to the observation of liver complications in rodent studies.

7. Fluvoxamine [brand name Luvox] At the end of 1995, more than 10 million patients worldwide had been treated with fluvoxamine.

8. Etoperidone [Discontinued]

9. Escitalopram [Brand names Lexapro, Cipralex, Seroplex, Lexamil, Lexam] According to The New York Times, aggressive pharmaceutical marketing of escitalopram by Forest Laboratories has been controversial: the generic alternatives to the drug are cheaper, but a substantial number of doctors continue to prescribe the more expensive proprietary drug. The United States Senate Special Committee on Aging has released portions of the "Lexapro Fiscal 2004 Marketing Plan" which gives some of the details of the plans to promote use of the drug by doctors.

The EMEA sent me a 57 page list of adverse reactions to the above drugs. Reactions which include; Blood and lymphatic system disorders, Cardiac disorders, Congenital, familial and genetic disorders, Ear and labyrinth disorders, Endocrine disorders, Eye disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, General disorders and administration site conditions, Hepatobiliary disorders, Immune system disorders, Infections and infestations, Injury, poisoning and procedural complications, Metabolism and nutrition disorders, Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps), Nervous system disorders, Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions, Psychiatric disorders, Renal and urinary disorders, Reproductive system and breast disorders, Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders, Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders, and Vascular disorders.

The 57 page list of adverse drug reactions can be passed on to those of you wishing to view it.

It's further evidence that the regulators are monitoring reactions...but doing very little about the drugs that cause them.

Fid

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