Open Dialogue - Finland - the hardly mentioned but very effective non-drug ways...

[Luc]

...of treating serious conditions.

As we all know, psychoactive drugs are prescribed for many reasons. And, as much as some doctors will admit that those types of drugs may indeed be over-prescribed, they will still say there are conditions in which it cannot be avoided. Well, quoting Dr. Peter Breggin - [by taking antidepressants] "you put poison into your brain". Doctors, by saying that "there are conditions in which it cannot be avoided", and keeping prescribing that poison, break the most fundamental of principles - "Primum non nocere" ("First, do no harm").

Now, have a look at this video. If you talk to somebody, and this person uses the "unavoidability" argument, tell them it's not true and show them this;

...

http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/mental...-open-dialogue

[Sheila]

I love these people!

<< They get an IAWP merit award

[Luc]

I love these people!

<< They get an IAWP merit award

Oh yes, they do!

[Samsara]

Actually, I had either read about this project in Finland or viewed it on a TV program, a few years ago (can't remember exactly when).

In any case, I'm so glad you posted this Luc. It's has a very important message and it appears (correct me if I'm making a wrong assumption) that these people have conducted longitudinal studies on their clients/consumers?

Anyway, it's impressive what they have been able to prove. I will have to watch the video again since, I likely have missed a few things. (lol)


Samsara

[Luc]

It's has a very important message and it appears (correct me if I'm making a wrong assumption) that these people have conducted longitudinal studies on their clients/consumers?

Yes, Sam. :) According to what I have found out, they have. I'll be looking into it more in the time to come. Such ideas are really worth spreading - it pierces right through the most guarded argument for the use of drugs - "hey, but what about those cases?!"

[Junior]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting it Luc.

It actually reminds me of a program I found out about when I was working in Community Mental Health. It is called "Hearing Voices". More info here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_Voices_Movement

[Luc]

Great stuff, Junior! I must look into it more in the time to come. How skewed is this entire typology in the Western World - the groups with vested interests deciding on what is good or bad.

[Junior]

Capitalism at its 'best'.

My GP doesn't believe in natural medicine. And yet my naturopath has helped me quite a lot in withdrawal.

[Sheila]

Junior -- what has your naturopath recommended?

[Junior]

Junior -- what has your naturopath recommended?

Sorry Sheila, only just saw this now

First she agrees that I haven't endured 10% of what some others have. People like you guys here for example. I'm not sensitive to drugs, allergy prone, etc, and I can only guess that is why. I also believe that if I'd come off Paxil earlier, before I got addicted, I wouldn't have had too many problems. When I first came off it after only 6 months all I had was some dizziness. During the 10 years I was on it later, I could alter the dose by 10mg at a time, with virtually no issues. Now I'm doing drops of just 1mg!

Second, different things at different times. Some things haven't worked and I've reported that back to her. My mainstay has been a product called Inkephalin which is a precursor to dopamine and helps to raise the levels of dopamine. My main issue has been disrupted sleep and this helps. (Dopamine leveles are affected in depression and it's my belief that the sleep issues in depression are caused by this). I've also taken a product called Pre-Dop in the past which helped enormously when I struggled to sleep for more than an hour at a time. Neurocalm is very good for racing thoughts. I actually gave some to my son recently. I'm weaning him off Prozac after 7 years and the drop from7.5 to 5mg was too big for him. The Neurocalm really helped him for a few days there. Those are the only 2 i'm using at the moment. I also take Valerian Forte, which I get from the supermarket, on an as needed basis. It helps to calm the nervous system and assist with sleep.

Other things? Umm... things to nurture the nervous system ... umm... as I said it depends on what symptoms are manifesting at the time. I think we used things for amino acids early on, especially having switched a/ds 3 times in 6 months, but that was over 3 years ago and I'm hard pressed to remember what I took then. I can check for you, though, if you are really interested.

I should point out that I've been very fortunate. I know many people who have tried natural remedies only to have practitioners who don't understand w/d. Mine does. She has helped people to get off lithium in the past and helps a lot of people now with getting off SSRIs and SNRIs. And she's literally 'just up the road'. Four doors up the road :D