Sources for the Truth in Mental Health Flyer

This folder contains links to the supporting evidence behind the mental health myth-busting claims of the Truth in Mental Health Flyer.

Concerning "Mental Illness" as a Brain Disease by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 13:04

A variety of articles showing that “mental illnesses” are not brain diseases are available here.

"Serotonin and Depression: A Disconnect between the Advertisements and the Scientific Literature" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 13:07

This is a good article on the lack of evidence for a “chemical imbalance” causing depression.

"The Fallacy of the 50% Concordance Rate for Schizophrenia in Identical Twins" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:31

An article going into detail about how people have been deceived into thinking “schizophrenia” is definitely genetic.

"Anatomy of an Epidemic" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:37

This article, by Robert Whitaker, argues that, while there is no good evidence that someone has any kind of biochemical imbalance just because they have been diagnosed with a mental health problem, there is very good evidence that any person who takes psychiatric medication will have some kind of abnormal biochemical condition after taking it. (For an overview of this problem, see pp. 25-27)

"The Latest Mania: Selling Bipolar Disorder" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:40

A good article addressing “bipolar” medications.

"Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:42

Source for the assertion that people in the mental health system in the US are dying 25 years earlier than average, often because of the effects of psychiatric medications.

"Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness" Power Point by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:45

A Power Point presentation of the article "Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness."

A Debate over Neuroleptics in The Register-Guard Newspaper by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:49

More information about the high death rates of those in the mental health system, and a debate over the proper response.

Affidavit of Robert Whitaker by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:55

The diagnosis about which the most dire predictions are made is that of “schizophrenia.” Yet perhaps just because psychiatry has such dire predictions, many long term outcome studies have been done for people with this diagnosis. The conclusion: that recovery is more common for those not taking medication, and that it can be complete. See section IV of the article.

"Why do people have withdrawal problems?" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 14:59

Source for the assertion that problems in quitting psychiatric medication are often withdrawal related. These problems are explained in brief at a helpful website that aims to help people reduce or get off medications

Quitting Psychiatric Drugs by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 15:02

More information about withdrawing from psychiatric drugs.

"Why is it so difficult to stop psychiatric drug treatment? It may be nothing to do with the original problem." by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 15:07

This article, by Joanna Moncrieff, focuses on withdrawal problems for the so-called “antipsychotic” medications.

"Factors Involved in Outcome and Recovery in Schizophrenia Patients Not on Antipsychotic Medications" by Jeremy Bensman — last modified 2008-09-16 15:14

This article found a rate of recovery of 40% among those who had gotten off medications, and only of 5% for those who persisted in taking medications.