How Big Pharma Makes Health People Sick

Dave, a disabled veteran, suffered from chronic health issues as a result of long-term use of Ativan without informed consent. He emphasizes the necessity of patients being fully informed before being prescribed benzodiazepines to avoid potential long-term risks. After struggling with sleep problems and psychological distress following his military service, he sought help from a psychiatrist who prescribed lorazepam for sleep. However, the dosage appeared to have an adverse effect, causing intrusive and distressing thoughts. This made him question whether the medication was responsible for the change in his mental state. Additionally, he faced challenges with medication for depression and ADHD, experiencing emotional numbness, sexual dysfunction, and memory problems due to the side effects. Eventually, he realized the need to discontinue the medication for the sake of his emotional well-being. Despite recommendations from his therapist to start antidepressants, he resisted due to previous negative experiences. While taking medication, he encountered disturbing hallucinations. The military's reliance on medication for mental health issues, rather than seeking support from peers or loved ones, exacerbated his struggles. Physical symptoms resulting from stress in Baghdad led to dependence on medication. The military culture's inclination towards medicating mental health issues, coupled with a misdiagnosis of PTSD and subsequent overmedication, ultimately led to Dave's medical retirement and the loss of his career.

Excessive dependence on medication rather than acknowledging and managing normal grief and suffering. The medicalization of typical emotions and the impact of the magic bullet belief on treatment strategies. Physicians are under pressure to eradicate all suffering at any cost, blurring the distinction between regular sadness/anxiety and mental illness. Psychiatry adopts a disease-oriented approach to classify psychiatric disorders and promotes a chemical imbalance theory. Psychiatric disorders may not be solely attributed to a single chemical imbalance as previously believed. The pharmaceutical industry has profited from the narrative of chemical imbalance, resulting in the expansion of markets for drugs targeting depression and anxiety. The pharmaceutical industry aims to medicalize every aspect of the human experience to boost pill sales, even encompassing conditions like binge eating disorder. Excessive prescription of medications without proper assessment. Many individuals are receiving multiple medications without clear justifications and without considering potential adverse effects. The practice of continuously adding and changing medications leads to a cycle of ineffective treatments and potential harm. Overprescription of medications without addressing the underlying cause of the issue. Insufficient information and time provided to patients during medication prescribing. Feelings of frustration and helplessness stemming from an overreliance on medication labels. Personal stories illustrate the diverse effects of drugs on individuals.

Approximately 20-25% of individuals share positive experiences with medication, while 30-35% report negative experiences, some of which have resulted in harm caused by the drugs. The use of psychiatric medications can have a detrimental impact on an individual's mental health. After discontinuing the medication, he experienced a range of negative effects such as a short temper, irritability, negativity, and dysfunctionality. His refusal to continue taking the drugs eventually led to a breaking point, resulting in separation and extreme anxiety. The withdrawal from medication can have dangerous consequences, leading to tragic outcomes. Individuals may experience severe symptoms such as brain zaps, tremors, and burning sensations as a result of medication withdrawal. The lack of support and understanding exacerbates these issues, as evidenced by the tragic suicides within support groups. Psychiatric medications can have hazardous effects on individuals, often leading to intrusive thoughts and suicidal tendencies. Medications like Prozac, Zoloft, and Abilify have been linked to harmful behaviors, including suicide, according to scientific evidence. Veterans, in particular, feel let down by the medication and the lack of emotional support they receive. Despite having families and seeking answers, they question why they still have thoughts of self-harm. The process of tapering off medication can be challenging, causing unpleasant symptoms and impacting relationships. It is concerning that the pharmaceutical industry allocates more funds to marketing and lobbying, rather than research. With an annual expenditure of $80 billion on marketing and lobbying, the amount dedicated to research is significantly less. Unfortunately, most research conducted by the industry serves as a tool for marketing purposes. The case of Xanax exemplifies how trials concealed harmful results and promoted the drug as an effective treatment. The manipulation of data by the pharmaceutical industry to promote drugs is a concerning practice. Even drugs like Prozac, which were heavily promoted as beneficial, have been found to have adverse effects. This manipulation of data ultimately leads to the approval and marketing of dangerous drugs. The struggle to experience love and connection after medication and trauma is a significant issue. The impact of drugs and trauma on an individual's ability to feel emotions and relate to others is a topic that needs to be addressed.

Exploring the difficulties in relationships and communication caused by medication effects and personal experiences. Delving into the discussion surrounding the use of prescription drugs such as Adderall. An individual contemplating the potential benefits of Adderall based on a friend's recommendation for enhanced performance. Physicians stress the significance of determination in conquering addiction to medications like benzodiazepines. The significance of obtaining informed consent before prescribing medications. Patients should receive comprehensive information regarding potential side effects and repercussions of medications before making a decision. Doctors should allocate more time to deliberate on options, side effects, and alternatives with patients during consultations. The pharmaceutical industry plays a role in shaping doctors' understanding. A general lack of awareness about the dangers of drugs results in unintentional harm to patients. Doctors encounter resistance when questioning the impact of medications on patients. Gradually tapering off medications resulted in an improvement in mental well-being and the ability to cope with college life. The gradual cessation of medication aided in alleviating hallucinations, anxiety, and eating disorders. The individual expressed a sense of progress, being able to lead a more typical college life, and feeling a renewed sense of happiness and optimism