Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives

by Joseph Glenmullen

Book Overview

Roughly 28 million Americans -- one in every ten -- have taken Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil or a similar antidepressant, yet very few patients are aware of the dangers of these drugs, nor are they aware that better, safer alternatives exist. Now Harvard Medical School's Dr. Joseph Glenmullen documents the ominous long-term side effects associated with these and other serotonin-boosting medications. These side effects include neurological disorders, such...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743200624
• ISBN13: 9780743200622
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Yanking Away the Bandaid: Backlash to Prozac Backlash

I was taken aback by the viciousness of many of the reviews here, but not really surprised. This book says what many people do not want to hear--and backs it up with research from people *not* in the drug industry's pocket. Glenmullen knows the real value--and equally real pitfalls--of these drugs--and shares his knowledge in this valuable and disturbing book. He explains the issues in laymen's terms, and includes scientific citations for those who wish more detail. Not anti-drug per se, Glenmullen sees SSRIs as a temporary bandaid for acute crisis. He refers to research showing therapy to be equally effective for long term solutions. I've personally observed that no matter what the problem, the majority of mental health providers use drugs as a primary and often permanent answer. Glenmullen's is a valuable second opinion, and especially useful for those who have already discovered some of these drugs' many problems.

GATHER ALL THE INFO YOU CAN!

This book is a must-read for anyone on an SSRI or contemplating taking an SSRI for any reason (some are used for more than just depression). After reading many of the modern publications about SSRIs, I can objectively say this book completed my layman's education on the subject. This is predominantly due to the fact that there are not many resources out there that speak of the dark side of SSRI medications.What's more, after being on SSRIs for 5 years, this book has made me decide that I MUST try to get off of the drug Effexor. I have never been one to suffer much, if any, adverse side effects from the medications of various kinds that I have required over the years. However, the SSRI drug Effexor has created some very uncomfortable issues for me such as involuntary ticks or spasms (tardive dyskinesia), weight gain and horrible withdrawal effects in trying to get off it all while realizing that the drug's actual intended effects have worn off. If I had not read this book I would have never received an education about SSRI's severe shortcomings and subsequent problems. My doctor sure wouldn't have told me...because he probably doesn't know either. Glenmullen spells out very well. Despite some of the reviews here that downplay the book and its author, you still owe it to yourself to become as well educated as possible about these drugs. This book will help you in your quest to gather all the info you can about SSRIs. Buy it. Read it.

Beware the attempts to discredit this book: it's OK

Unlike some of the critics of this book, I have actually read it. Moreover, I have Ph.D. in environmental science, and teach at an international public policy school.I am disturbed by some of the comments made by other 'reviewers' that this book is not 'scientific' or that it is only 'anecdotal'. I believe these comments are attempts to discredit the book. After all, if you read the book you will see that there is much at stake here: the drug manufacturers are making a fortune from prescriptions of anti-depressant medication, yet the evidence is mounting almost daily as to their mis-use and side effects. Indeed, the book even describes a payment by one drug company in 1994 to a potential witness in a trial in order to avoid bad publicity. This book presents the evidence for questioning the value of the current belief in certain anti-depressants like Prozac and Zoloft. The book is loaded with references to internationally-regarded medical journals and researchers, and to available surveys on the potential side effects. If there is anything 'anecdotal' about the book, it is that it is written in a easy-to-read styles that actually reports on real-life stories (anonymized).Furthermore, it is false to say the author advises that anti-depressants should not be used at all. He makes it very clear that they should be reserved for severe cases of depression. In my opinion, the interesting points he makes are that prescribing anti-depressants for cases of less-than severe depression (or similar conditions such as anxiety, etc) may actually create more problems than they solve. Such problems may include 'numbing' people to the feelings and processes that actually cause the depression; a variety of physical side-effects such as loss of sexual function; and even (in the worst cases) feelings that can even encourage suicide. It is not surprising that the medicine companies do not want people to respect this book. But it is clear that the book is not an outright rejection of any form of medication, but instead a more balanced approach that actually goes to the roots of problems, rather than just dealing with (apparent) symptoms.If there is one aspect of the book I do have reservations about, it is that the descriptions of 'alternatives' to medication is merely an introduction to these subjects rather than a complete guide. There are a variety of alternatives mentioned, such as herbal remedies; psychotherapy; physical exercise etc etc. All of these are interesting and relevant. But I would think that anyone in the throes of a major depression or similar distress would want to read much more than what is available here (albeit, at well over 100 pages there is quite a lot of information). Of course, the book does not intend to be a 'self-help' guide to overcoming depression, and so perhaps it is unreasonable to suggest that it is short in this respect. It is best to be clear that the book's main intention is to review the e

An important book on the culture of American psychiatry

Dr. Glenmullen has correctly identified the popularity of Prozac and the other SSRIs has a cultural phenomenon. The "chemical imbalance" and "serotonin deficiency" so widely promoted by the pharmaceutical companies have never been proven. Yet millions of people believe in these fictions because Westerners, and Americans in particular, have a cultural bias toward biological explanations for emotional distress. Managed care companies have taken advantage of this by reducing the time therapists can spend with patients and restricting care to prescribing drugs. Psychiatric drugs are not safe. They all affect the properties of neurotransmitter systems in the brain. The problems of withdrawal, dependence, wearing off, and permanent brain damage are well known to professionals in the field and well documented in the scientific journals cited by Dr. Glenmullen. These drugs should only be taken by people with significant psychiatric illness. They are not for the worried well or those who want to be "better than normal." Dr. Glenmullen has done a great service by finally making the dangers of psychiatric drugs known to the general public.

Scientifically Sound Look at Dangers of Prozac

As a specialist in drug safety I reviewed this book prior to publication and found it immensely readable and scientifically sound. But because it embarrasses the drug companies and the many doctors who have used these drugs indiscriminately, I have already seen erroneous charges that this book is "irresponsible" or lacking in scientific merit. Nothing could be farther from the truth.