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"ALLIANCE FOR HUMAN RESEARCH PROTECTION (AHRP)
Promoting Openness, Full Disclosure, and Accountability
www.ahrp.org and http://ahrp.blogspot.com
FYI
An Australian survey of more than 1000 psychiatrists, trainees and medical
officers found that 76% had prescribed a combination of antidepressants
for their patients--which psychiatrists know is not based on any
scientific evidence. Indeed, 17% of those who responded reported they had
seen serious complications from the combination of antidepressants.
"Doctors working in psychiatry in Australia, like their colleagues in
other countries, are prepared to use treatments in some patients without a
firm evidence base."
The damaging effects of psychiatry's irresponsible high risk prescribing
practices are documented in children's ruined lives.
Rebecca Riley a Boston toddler was prescribed a lethal combination of
drugs since age 28 months--she died at age four. [1]
Anya Bailey, prescribe the antipsychotic, Risperdal at age 12 for "eating
disorder." As a result of taking the drug, she exhibits two debilitating,
irreversible neurological conditions--dystonia (described in The New York
Times, May 10), and tardive dyskinisia--these drug-induced disabling
conditions are a sign of brain damage. [2]
A series in the Kansas City Star (December 2006) "America’s Mentally Ill
Children: Little Llives in Chaos," describes the out of control behavior
of little 6 year old Marcus, a disadvantaged chilid (the oldest of three,
fourth on the way). The article mentions that Marcus "heavily medicated."
The reporter seems entirely unaware about the adverse effects that
psychotropic drugs often have. [3]
One thing is certain, the drugs that have been prescribed for Marcus have
NOT HELPED. Someone needs to examine whether the drugs have had a toxic
effect and thereby exacerbating the child's temper tantrums.
Psychaitry's illegitimate irresponsible prescribing practices have led
even leading mainstream child psychiatrists, such as Dr. Gabrielle
Carlson, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Stony Brook
University School of Medicine on Long Island, to acknowledge :
"To me one of the miracle of children’s brains is that we don’t see more
harm from these treatments.” [4]
References:
1. Carey Goldberg. Bipolar labels for children stir concern Hull case
highlights debate on diagnosis Rebecca Riley's parents are accused of
deliberately poisoning her with her prescription medication. BOSTON
GLOBE, February 15, 2007
http://ahrp.blogspot.com/2007/02/4-year-old-rebecca-riley-casualty-of.html
2. GARDINER HARRIS, BENEDICT CAREY and JANET ROBERTS Psychiatrists,
Children and Drug Industry's Role
THE NEW YORK TIMES May 10, 2007
http://ahrp.blogspot.com/2007/05/psychiatrists-retained-by-drug-industry.html
3. ERIC ADLER America's Mentally Ill Children: Mending Marcus (Day One of Four) The Kansas City Star Dec. 17, 2006 online:
http://www.realcities.com/mld/kansascity/news/special_packages/marcus/16257481.htm
4. BENEDICT CAREY. Debate Over Children and Psychiatric Drugs, THE NEW
YORK TIMES February 15, 2007.
http://ahrp.blogspot.com/2007/02/4-year-old-rebecca-riley-casualty-of.html
Contact: Vera Hassner Sharav
212-595-8974
veracare@ahrp.org
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/risk-lies-in-untested-drug-duos/2007/05/13/1178995000306.html
Risk lies in untested drug duos
Bellinda Kontominas Medical Reporter
May 14, 2007
DOCTORS are prescribing more than one antidepressant drug at a time to
their patients, leading to the risk of serious complications such as
epileptic seizures, confusion and mood swings.
A survey of more than 1000 psychiatrists, trainees and medical officers
found 76 per cent had prescribed a combination of antidepressants for
their patients.
The study by three Melbourne psychiatrists, Dr David Horgan, Dr Seetal
Dodd and Professor Michael Berk, was published in Australasian Psychiatry
and found 17 per cent of psychiatrists had seen serious complications from
the combination of antidepressants.
"Doctors working in psychiatry in Australia, like their colleagues in
other countries, are prepared to use treatments in some patients without a
firm evidence base," the authors wrote.
The use of combination drug therapy has ignited debate among medical
professionals about the risks of experimenting with combinations that have
not been properly researched.
The head of psychological medicine at Adelaide Women's and Children's
Hospital, Dr Jon Jureidini, said there was little evidence to suggest
using antidepressants in combination would be beneficial. "It's like
adding a dash of salt or spice to a soup to see if it adds taste or
changes the flavour," he said. "It's not actually very scientific."
Dr David Kitching, the chairman of the Psychiatrics Treatment Advisory
Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists, said he was not surprised at the number of psychiatrists
prescribing combination therapy as they tended to see the most acute cases
of depression, where it had become a last resort.
Dr Nicholas Keks, professor of psychiatry at Monash University, said he
prescribed combination drugs to only 2 per cent of his patients as it was
"not something you would be gung-ho about".
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