Blogs on changing the mental health system, human rights and alternatives

Here are links to just some of the blogs related to changing the mental health system, including topics of human rights and alternatives in psychiatry. Disclaimer: "Blogs" or "Web Logs" usually contain individual perspectives that may be extremely controversial. Views of the blog owners are theirs and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MindFreedom International. Listing a blog here does not imply endorsement of all or some of the content. Some viewpoints expressed may be offensive to readers.

Alison Hymes in Virginia by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-10-08 10:55

Alison Hymes describes herself as a "Token" Member of the Commitment Taskforce of the Chief Justice's Commission on Mental Health Law Reform, Virginia.

Anti-Psychiatry Web Log by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-11-24 18:43

Livejournal provides web space for a number of communities, in this case one calling itself "Antipsychiatry." It's entries are like a blog, along with other resources. This is from their self-description: "This is a community for people who are opposed to the practice and theory of psychiatry. It is a place for people to post information about patient's rights, the dangers of psychiatric drugs, personal experiences, questions, and thoughts. Please stay on-topic, and please do not join or post if you are just going to laud the 'benefits' of psychiatry. There are plenty of communities for that already."

Bipolar Blast Blog by Mark T — last modified 2007-07-21 14:08

From the blogger: "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1985 at age 19. I was medicated off and on from 1985 to 1988 and then medicated in 1992 to the present after having the daylights scared out of me by what I now see as ignorant doctors. About three years ago I started questioning the heavy drugging of my symptoms as well as the diagnosis itself. I began the slow and difficult process of withdrawing from my psych meds. I hope to share with the readers of this blog this journey as it continues. This journey includes my ultimate disillusionment of psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry."

Blogs on changing the mental health system, human rights and alternatives by David W. Oaks — last modified 2008-04-30 13:34

Here are links to just some of the blogs related to changing the mental health system, including topics of human rights and alternatives in psychiatry. Disclaimer: "Blogs" or "Web Logs" usually contain individual perspectives that may be extremely controversial. Views of the blog owners are theirs and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MindFreedom International. Listing a blog here does not imply endorsement of all or some of the content. Some viewpoints expressed may be offensive to readers.

Bruce E. Levine -- dissident psychologist -- blogs via Huffington. by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-11-24 18:10

Bruce E. Levine, PhD has been a practicing psychologist for decades, and he's a dissident. Perhaps it's that Bruce was raised working class, but he connects the dots between social change and societal despair. Bruce has several books in the MindFreedom MADMARKET. Bruce blogs via Arianna Huffington's site.

Coalition Against Psychiatric Assault in Toronto, Canada by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-05-14 18:09

From the blog: CAPA is an organization - a coalition of people - committed to dismantling the psychiatric system and building a better world through strategic activism. We see the very concept of mental illness as flawed. We object to incarceration, electroshock, and the vast array of brain-damaging drugs. We oppose the violation of human rights which is endemic to psychiatry. Currently, CAPA members are working on developing strategies and actions aimed at curtailing the use of psychiatric drugs and electroshock.

Different Thoughts by David W. Oaks — last modified 2008-02-09 16:39

This blog is in English though it originates in Denmark. From a quote by Jack Kerouac on the blog, "Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The trouble makers., The round pegs in square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status, quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve, them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is, ignore them. Because they change things. They invent. They imagine. They heal. They explore. They create. They inspire."

Furious Seasons by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-09-14 11:19

Furious Seasons is authored by a journalist/patient Philip Dawdy who was diganosed with bipolar disorder and who seeks to hold the mental health industry accountable. The author is opposed to outpatient commitment and forced electroshock treatments.

MindFreedom Blog by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-04-29 11:08

This web site also maintains a blog for MFI activities.

Nuts R Us News by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-09-14 11:24

A variety of news items and opinions on a web log run by Patricia Lefave of Ontario, Canada "expressing the alternative views of those who are dissatisfied with the current state of the mental health system around the world and current and growing powers of bio-psychiatry and the psychiatric establishment"

Patient Anonymous by David W. Oaks — last modified 2008-04-06 17:06

This Canadian blogger with diagnoses such as "ADD" and "bipolar" states that the blog covers "all things psych and neuro and medicine medicine."

Psych Activist by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-10-18 16:48

Describing this blog as "psych news for a brave new world by an independent psych activist," the blogger adds that, "I am a mental health writer and a psychiatric survivor who has been personally traumatized by the mental health system."

Ron Unger's blog on recovery from what is called "schizophrenic" and "psychotic" by David W. Oaks — last modified 2008-04-01 12:07

Ron Unger is a full-time therapist in Eugene, Oregon and Coordinator of MindFreedom Lane County. From Ron's blog description: According to what has been called the medical model, people who have been diagnosed with “schizophrenia” and with “psychosis” in general, have a brain disease or chemical imbalance... While the medical model can easily be criticized for lacking evidence, a perhaps more important criticism of it is that it lacks any model for how people recover! If people have a brain disease today, how could they go on to have highly successful lives later? And why is it that most of those who are doing best have all long ago quit their “medical” treatment, psychiatric drugs?

Stir Crazy in Minnesota by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-06-22 09:38

"Shaking a stick at the state of mental health," the stir-crazy blog is based in Minnesota. From the site: "stir-crazy.org is hosted and written by Christin. Additional posts are written by other participants in the Icarus Project - Minneapolis discussion group, but the opinions expressed therein are the respective author’s and not necessarily those of the group or the national Icarus Project. The Icarus Project - Minneapolis is also hosted by stir-crazy.org."

United Terran Mind Odyssey by David W. Oaks — last modified 2007-04-30 09:41

From the blogger: The purpose and mission of this organization is to unite advocates for the human rights of the mentally ill worldwide, and provide a cyberspace venue to discuss issues pertinent to our cause. We support and affirm freedom of choice in treatment (medication or no medication), and that choice can be made by the individual being treated. We affirm the right of the mentally ill to be treated with dignity and respect. The blog moderator is a member of MindFreedom, International, Medfree yahoo group, schizophrenia.org, and this blog is intended to dovetail their efforts and goals. It is a goal of this organization to establish in the future a "PSYCHIATRIC ABUSE WATCHGROUP AND HOTLINE", that will enable anyone concerned with or experiencing abuse or coercion in the mental health treatment system to receive emergency assistance and representation.

Will Brady's Ruminations by Mark T — last modified 2007-03-25 14:13

Will Brady's blog places the names with the faces of Eli Lilly's top executives, and then attempts to answer the question, "Who are they?" According to Brady, Lilly's corporate suites are stocked with managers who have close ties to officals in high places, and who have "knowingly hid information about very real dangers and long-term adverse reactions to Zyprexa..."

Writhe Safely by David W. Oaks — last modified 2008-04-09 09:10

From the blogger's 'about us': "I spent 10 years in commercial alt-rock radio before settling in Austin TX where I live on psych disability and legislative tracking when the patriarchs are in session. I’ve been a burden on the welfare state since the day I was born, have been assigned numerous psychiatric labels, and take the safety net very seriously. I’ve been self-publishing my exceptional life history since 1989. This portal leads to my online archive. I am Robin in the leather boots." My no-count husband, Major Depression, is the leading cause of disability in the United States. The black dog pounces and I wallow in squalor, when dogs run free, I try to, as they say, put it out there.

Zyprexa Saga: "My $1,000,000 compensation claim against Eli Lilly" by Mark T — last modified 2007-03-20 12:54

Daniel Haszard was prescribed Zyprexa from 1996 until 2000. In early 2000, he had a medical test called "A1C" with a result of 13.9. Normal is 4-6. He has no history of diabetes in his family. His website documents his efforts to seek recovery and compensation from the Eli Lilly drug company for causing diabetes.