jonahansen (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Excellent observation. The stigma of a psychiatric "treatment", especially when unfounded is almost impossible to remove. The "patient" has credibility questioned and may never be taken seriously again.

unrealfarcrie (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

It is also a truth that very often these pills make healthy people really sick.Mental illness is such an undefinable term that it is best used as a metaphor. And thats certainly not the way clinical psychiatrists use it. They use it as a tool to brainwash helpless people to believe that they are nothing more than a diagnosis. And then they forcibly put into their biological system chemicals that may make them drowsy, resourceless addicts for the rest of their lives.

schizoflux (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Truth is these pills keep the sick out of the hospital. Psychiatry isn't perfect, but neither is alternative methods to "cure" mental illness. You want to know what a disease is just start inducing yourself with marijuana and amphetamines within a years time your mind will have developed a symptom of mental illness. And quit saying God can heal it, that's all BS. Dr. Szasz did not suffer mental illness, so how is he to know what mental illness is really like?

sensualdazzler (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Yes, it has a dehumanizing effect on the individual. When an individual has become dehumanized and has no interest in anything, when they are displaying 'symptoms' of 'mental illness'....... it justifies the confinement by the system.

TheREAL88survivor (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

By the way, 2 people in the place I volunteer in died this week. One I suspect because of the medication, the other killed himself.If you cant live free of psychological torture I dont see the point in living, so I respect all who kill themselves.

TheREAL88survivor (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I do volunteer work with people in that situation, and I know precicely what you talk about! Theese people are victims who have been bullied into thinking there is something wrong with them, a lot of people agree with the system without questioning it and they join in on the opression of theese people, the result? The victims feel hopeless, abused, their confidence is shattered, they withdraw into themselves, and the sick thing is this...Their response is labelled as a symptom of mental ilness!!

sensualdazzler (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I have a relative who is being held 'captive' because nobody knows what is wrong with him. He has been on all sorts of drugs - drugs administered without any prior diagnosis. Now he just looks at the walls. Nice.

cloudmonkeys (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

mental health workers are lower than child molesters

Anonanonanonymous (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The IHR had Leuchter, the CoS has Thomas Szasz.

medspatic777 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Antispychotics like Geodon Abilify Zyprexa Risperdal or Risperidone and Seroquel are bad. Please go to Yahoo and type in the phrase "Horrible Truth About Psychiatric Drugs". Also do the search with the phrase "Documented Proof Psychiatric Drugs Shorten Lifespan". Shocking and revealing information no psychiatrist will tell you.. Be sure to include the quotes.