Neuroleptics

Brain Damage Caused by Neuroleptic Psychiatric Drugs

In the past two decades, countless medical studies have shown that use of neuroleptic psychiatric drugs (also known as antipsychotics) is associated with structural brain changes, especially when taking high dosages for a long time. These brain changes can include actual shrinkage of the higher level parts of the brain. The shrinkage can be seen in brain scans and autopsy studies. In response to industry defenders who claim that this shrinkage is from the “mental illness,” studies show neuroleptics lead to similar brain changes in animals. While the medical side of large libraries has this information, the public media side of the library does not. In other words, the public, patients and their families are not being informed about what medicine has long known.

Debate begun by Chuck Areford about antipsychotic psychiatric drugs

Long-time mental health worker began a debate when his guest commentary criticizing neuroleptic psychiatric drugs — also known as neuroleptics — was published in the main newspaper of The Register-Guard on 16 March 2008. You can read the back and forth he started here.

Quetiapine (Seroquel) Addiction?

Quetiapine (Seroquel) is not a controlled substance and is not considered addictive by the medical system. Yet there are several reports describing abuse among inmates in jails and prisons of this neuroleptic psychiatric drug.

Daughter claims Seroquel caused father’s death

The estate of LaRue Simms filed a wrongful death suit against three local nursing homes claiming a drug they gave him (Seroquel) contributed to his death.

Abstract: Study shows higher recovery off neuroleptics

This is a summary of an article published in the May 2007 issue of the Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease. 195(5):406-414.

Abilify and other newer drugs may cause increased violence

Abilify and other newer drugs may cause increased violence. A Tacoma Washington investigative reporter asks intelligent questions about akathisia and increased violence at Western State Hospital in Washington. “This has not been adequately studied” at any psychiatric hospital, said Dr. Stefan Kruszewski, an expert on psychoactive med side effects. “Most studies done on (psychiatric) violence assume violence is secondary to the illness or the surroundings, or because of lack of staff, money or social structures.”

Drugs Offer No Benefit in Curbing Aggression, Study Finds

The New York Times breaks the news about a study that showed that neuroleptics — also known as antipsychotic drugs — do not necessarily curb aggression in those with cognitive disabilities, and may actually in fact increase aggression.

Here are photos of neuroleptic (antipsychotic) pills plus hypo.

You can easily find larger, higher-quality images of neuroleptic (antipsychotic) pills on the Internet by using the Google image search engine and plugging in various neuroleptic names such as Zyprexa, Abilify, Haldol, Prolixin, Risperdal, etc.

A MindFreedom member shares a brief story about Zyprexa

A MindFreedom provided this anonymous story about using the neuroleptic Zyprexa.

Permanent muscle twitching from antipsychotics: Tardive Dyskinesia and Tardive Dystonia

It’s been known since the 1950’s that the family of psychiatric drugs called antipsychotics — also known as neuroleptics — can lead to involuntary muscular movements that can often be permanent. Among these are the “TD’s,” which stands for both Tardive Dyskinesia and Tardive Dystonia. Since the 1990’s, the psychiatric industry has reassured the public that newer neuroleptics cause far less TD. However, now that the data is in, more recent medical studies show that the rate for TD caused by newer antipsychotics is “more similar” to the rate by the older antipsychotics than the the medical field generally believed. That means that the mental health industry has falsely reassured millions of people since the 1990’s that their risk of TD is lower than reality. TD can range from mild twitches, to extremely disfiguring spasms.

Over-prescription of ‘antipsychotic’ psychiatric drugs to seniors

Senior citizens are among the many groups targeted for an extra-high level of over-drugging by the neuroleptic psychiatric drugs, which are also known as antipsychotics.

Drugging the Vulnerable: Atypical Antipsychotics in Children and the Elderly

Time Magazine looks at the use of neuroleptic psychiatric drugs, more commonly called “antipsychotics,” on children and seniors.