Millions of Americans take psychiatric drugs. Doctors prescribe them, drug companies push them, and patients demand them. Not short of an epidemic, the use of anti-psychotic medication permeates the veins of American culture.
"Careless Prescriptions" explores and confronts the overprescribing of anti-psychotic drugs and the risks of drug treatment in mental health care. On this site, you can find news stories, helpful links, and information about our recent event with author Robert Whitaker, "Careless Prescriptions: Rethinking Our Use of Psychiatric Drugs."
Careless Prescriptions addresses two critical issues: (1) the site argues for "written informed consent" (i.e., written consent voluntarily signed by a patient who is competent and who understands the terms of the consent), and (2) the site provides information about Florida Wrongful Death statute. Read more about these issues by clicking below.
New to the conversation? These links help curious readers get acquainted with the issues.
June 2018, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study describing the adverse side-effects (particularly depression) of many prescription drugs. Reported on by NPR: "1 In 3 Adults In The U.S. Takes Medications Linked To Depression".
April 2017, a federal court in Chicago ruled in favor of Wendy Dolin, who sued Paxil for the suicide of her husband, after taking a generic version of the drug.
September 2013, The New Yorker published an article entitled: "The Psychiatric Drug Crisis".
On April 29, 2017, environmental advocacy group ManaSota-88 hosted Robert Whitaker at the Selby Library in Sarasota, Florida. A journalist and the author of five books, Robert Whitaker met with an intimate, but energetic group to challenge the presumed benefits and long-term effects of psychiatric drugs.
His talk traced the history of psychiatric care in America, beginning with the 1980 publication of DSM-III, a diagnostic manual, which outlined psychiatric illnesses with the implication that drugs could cure them. The manual helped to legitimize the field of psychiatry and, consequently, invited the pharmaceutical industry to pour money into curing brain illnesses with objective precision. Resultantly, pharmaceutical companies marketed with astounding success the mythology of "chemical imbalances," despite discoveries (from as early as the 1980s) found in trial research disproving such assumptions.
Educators Mary and Glenn Compton maintain this site, in an effort to increase awareness about prescription drug practices.
They manage ManaSota-88, the leading environmental organization in southwest Florida, which protects public health and advocates for the preservation of the environment. Glenn serves as the Chairman, and Mary acts as a board member.
Mary and Glenn Compton
carelessprescriptions@gmail.com