Known as "the Ralph Nader of psychiatry," Dr. Peter Breggin has been the medical expert in countless court cases involving the use or misuse of psychoactive medications. This unusual position has given him unprecedented access to private pharmaceutical research and correspondence files, information from which informs this straight-talking guide to the most prescribed and controversial category of American drugs: antidepressants. From how these drugs work in the brain to how they treat (or don't treat) depression and obsessive-compulsive, panic, and other disorders; from the documented side and withdrawal effects to what every parent needs to know about antidepressants and teenagers, The Anti-Depressant Fact Book is up-to-the minute and easy-to-access. Hard-hitting and enlightening, every current, former, and prospective antidepressant-user will want to read this book.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.5 based on 17 reviews)

Facts everybody must know

Dr. Peter R. Breggin's work is excellent. Drugs are KILLING many people before their "natural" time to die has come. Breggin can help persons to stop killing themselves with those horrible medications. Read the book and get better without drugs.
June 25, 2006

Total Garbage

If there is anyway to make a quick dollar today, its for some moronic MD to write another book about the use of anti-depressents. I really wish that people would stopped reading this garbage, and just do what they feels is right, and stop believing everything someone says just because they have the letter MD in front of their name. The reason I take this personally is that I have been diagnosed with a mental illness, and these drugs have saved my life. I have tried everything, from exercise, to herbals, to vitimins, to theropy, and even though they help, w/o the drugs, I am unable to function. Yes, it is true, these are some strong drugs, and doctors do Overpriscribe them, yet at the same time, they can do wonders for people who dont react well to "Alternitive Theropy" so the person can live a normal life. Every drug has side effects, and little is known about long lasting effects. Does this mean that people with other diseases shouldn't take Meds, should they sufefer and Die because of side effects from Meds, or do you take a chance and possibly live longer. DOnt believe the hype with these [...]. The human brain is still the one body part that doctors are still puzzled with, and little is known of why stuff happens to it. Take your meds, dont suffer, live longer, and tell Peter R. Breggin to go [..](oh yes that is anger created by the use of Effexor..)
February 10, 2006

Some Balance Please!

I did not read this book,(so cannot truly rate it) but read the description and all of the reviews. I am currently taking an antidepressant and it's working well for me (the generic of Celexa.) I have suffered from low-grade depression for most of my life, with a few major crashes over the years. I do believe it's from a chemical imbalance, contrary to what Dr. Breggin may purport. And I think it's always interesting when so many who make comments seem to have not experienced depression or ever used antidepressants. If, however, I had a child who was depressed, I would NOT want them to use psychotropics unless they absolutely could not function without them

The real problem is not antidepressants or other psychotropics, but the misapplication and over-prescription of them. Those with garden-variety depression need to do their research before taking any antidepressant, even when your well-meaning primary care doctor may be more than willing to give you a prescription (they don't really have the time to talk to you.) You may simply need some counseling or behavioral therapy. On the other hand, if you have a long-term depressive history (as I do) it may be a good idea to look into the possibility of antidepressants. Again, do your homework. We are our best health advocates. And you will need to consult with a psychiatrist who has more in-depth knowledge of psychotropic drugs than your primary care physician usually does (and "your doctor won't tell you" because he really doesn't know what to tell you.) Antidepressants and other related drugs require "tweaking," trial and error and patience. If you have what is considered major depression and cannot seem to shake it, short-term or long-term drug treatment may be what is needed. Also no "pill" for mental illness is good without coinciding counseling (and your follow-up with your MD, including the psychiatrist, is not counseling.) That's my real beef with MD's prescribing psychotropics. Most MDs have no mental health training and mental health providers are not trained or certified to prescribe drugs.

Please! Everyone, including Dr. Breggin, needs to remember how many people have been helped by the prudent use of antidepressants. Antidepressants and related drugs need be viewed just like other drugs: they are not for everyone, there is no "magic" pill, and virtually every drug has some side-effects. Let's get back to some balance on this issue and quit polarizing.

Nan, Tampa FL
January 31, 2006

Good book.

Good review of the negative aspects of SSRIs (and there are many). Would have given it five stars, but he leaves out the very important fact that SSRIs can sometimes cause permanent sexual dysfunction after the drugs are stopped. This has long been overlooked by the medical community and should be included here. Do a goolge search for details.
October 04, 2005

What about all the positive things about antidepressants!

This book is good, and I do recommend people read this book, but with a caution. Although what he says is true, he looks at only one half of the story. There are definatley many success stories with antidepressants and he doesn't give them enough credits. Read this book and then look into the other side of the story.
May 12, 2005

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The Antidepressant Solution : A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Overcoming Antidepressant Withdrawal, Dependence, and "Addiction"
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