Bringing sanity to psychiatry – IOTW Report

Bringing sanity to psychiatry

American Thinker: 

Paul McHugh, 87, is a psychiatrist and professor at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Dr. McHugh is best known as psychiatry’s most outspoken critic and skeptic of the “crazes” that periodically overtake his specialty.  In her recent “Weekend Interview” with McHugh, Wall Street Journal contributor Abigail Shrier observed, “either he’s crazy, or all the other psychiatrists are.”

He’s not crazy.

Shrier writes that psychiatry “has fallen under the sway of a dizzying number of crazes.” Fads such as ADHD, anorexia nervosa, and recovered memory, devoid of “organizing principles” intrinsic to every medical discipline, destroy lives, displace centuries-old moral and societal customs, and lead to gross miscarriages of justice.  For example, McHugh’s expert testimony has exonerated several defendants’ wrongfully accused of child abuse.

McHugh argues that practitioners often employ what he calls “DSM checklist psychiatry” — matching up symptoms from the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) with the goal of achieving diagnosis — rather than inquiring deeply into the sources and nature of an affliction.

In the 1980s, Dr. McHugh became a leading opponent of so-called recovered-memory therapy

He argues that recovered memories are iatrogenic — a Greek word meaning “brought on by the healer” — implanted by the therapeutic process that purports to discover them.  more here

21 Comments on Bringing sanity to psychiatry

  1. A few years ago I posted something on Facebook regarding ‘gender dysphoria’, I don’t recall the details but there were strong statements from a psychiatric association (but not the ‘main’ one, apparently) that would be considered the conservative viewpoint. Rather than discuss it, a young friend whose mom was married to her dad but later married another woman tagged both moms, attacked me for suggesting anything other than the leftist line. Then a minister friend and his wife (a deacon) both insisted that the association cited in the article was a very small group with an extremist view. Others joined in too. Although I managed some discussion I deleted the post about a day later.
    They will accept nothing outside of their adamant views. Frankly, my greatest concern is for people like another young friend, a male who about 4 years ago at the age of 20 decided he is a female and has been going through hormone treatment. A lesbian though – dating females. My fear is that if he decides it was a mistake, a phase, that his supporters won’t let him be straight. I just want for him to be happy, but I fear those around him through their forced views won’t allow him any leeway.

    11
  2. Love him.

    I do believe in a type of “recovered memory,” but only the ones of which we, ourselves regain the memory. Definitely not “memories” after counseling or couch therapy. Most therapists are nuts themselves and transfer their screwiness to their clients often in a pursuit to heal themselves or proves an imagined point.

    15
  3. This guy is right on target.

    There is a plethora of overdiagnosis today, resulting in treating juveniles and young adults with anti-psychotic drugs they don’t need. It’s like a self-licking ice cream cone, one where the prescribed med causes the symptoms that warrant further evaluation and additional drugs.

    Avoid psychiatrists! Get on a good, low carb, low sugar diet with rigorous exercise regimen that will stimulate the right balance of hormonal flow i.e. serotonin, melatonin, etc. in the brain…naturally!

    18
  4. …the change from DSM IV to DSM V happened on “Obama’s” watch, and it used the Caligula stardard of sanity to do so. Gone were things like the diagnostic criteria for narcissism and grandiosity (both of which “Obama” suffered from) and “transgerism” as a treatable mental illness, to be replaced by Gender Dysphoria, full-on acceptance of sexual deviacy, and treating anyone who complained like THEY were the ones that were sick.

    …bear in mind that it’s very common in history to claim your political opponents are mentally ill, and at the start of the “Obama” Administration, it was commonly believed the Leftist would triumph forevermore. Then “Obamacare” put the editorial pen for writing the standards for psychiatric care into the heavy hand of Government, which meant that leftist institutions would now decide what “care” Govenment would DEMAND be paid for. Shrinks like money like everyone else and could see which way the wind was blowing, so here we are today.

    …It’ll be a long road back, too. President Trump has bigger fish to fry, has had to spend the last 2 years defending himself, and is STILL trying to put down more useless fishing expeditions by increasingly rabid House Dems, and so hasn’t shook THIS sector up like it needs. This means they are STILL validating and abetting mental illness instead of treating it, because many in authority are mentally ill themselves.

    …just remember, if you get your sanity by stud, the child looks a lot like the father

    …and psychiatrists have a very high suicide rate…

    9
  5. …as far as what I said about “Obama’s” DSM IV diagnosis, look at this on narcissism FROM DSM IV (that starts with “These criteria are obsolete”), and see if it doesn’t sound like a recent fake ex-president you’ve heard of…

    “Diagnostic criteria for 301.81 Narcissistic Personality Disorder

    These criteria are obsolete.
    DSM Version DSM IV – TR

    DSM Criteria
    A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

    (1) has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)

    (2) is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

    (3) believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)

    (4) requires excessive admiration

    (5) has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations

    (6) is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends

    (7) lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others

    (8) is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her

    (9) shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes”

    https://behavenet.com/diagnostic-criteria-30181-narcissistic-personality-disorder

    …Caligula was arguably the least sane of the Cesarian emperors, but because Romans were afraid of him, they simply adjusted the standard of sanity to be whatever the Emperor was.

    …and THAT, in a nutshell, is DSM V…

    7
  6. …bear in mind that it’s very common in history to claim your political opponents are mentally ill, and at the start of the “Obama” Administration, it was commonly believed the Leftist would triumph forevermore. Then “Obamacare” put the editorial pen for writing the standards for psychiatric care into the heavy hand of Government, which meant that leftist institutions would now decide what “care” Govenment would DEMAND be paid for. Shrinks like money like everyone else and could see which way the wind was blowing, so here we are today. -Supernightshade

    That is extraordinarily insightful.

    Sounds like you are on track to not only explain why “Liberalism is a mental disorder” but also why it is accelerating.

    6
  7. While it is possible to scientifically research certain things that may fall under the general rubric of psychology, and, e.g. advertising, apply what is learned in a narrow way, as an actual field of science or supposed healing discipline, psychology and psychiatry — the largely blind (and dangerous) application of drugs by a psychology-specialized physician to the brain in order to modify its functioning — are completely bogus.

    The DSM, invented by Merck in order to concoct by committee vote, various “diagnoses” for the purpose of selling drugs and getting insurance coverage for “treatments” for made-up descriptions of symptoms, characterized from time to time as multifarious diseases and disorders, is also completely bogus.

    Do people sometimes have apparent emotional, behavioral or cognitive problems that arguably “need” treatment? Sure. But. Just like the common cold (although at least that’s a real illness and we know what causes it.) But “needing treatment” doesn’t mean that the psych professions actually have any, even though they have arrogated to themselves professed expertise of the “mind” (an abstract idea), and arrogantly pretend to “treat” the “mind” as if they are akin to medical doctors. At best, psych drugs (poisons) disable the brain in this or that way, from doing this or that, thwarting symptoms (and invariably causing others.) Not unlike how pain relief drugs can alleviate pain or something like novocaine or anethesia knock it out completely (but no one would pretend that that’s treating or curing anything or not causing other physical issues.)

    It’s well past the time for the public to get this. This bogus “field” has done irreparable damage to too many people for too many years.

    I recommend these websites for the drug-psychiatry:
    http://www.pharmabuse.com/ and
    http://www.murdermeds.com/

    And talk therapy? Well, if you believe that these are the wisest people you can get counsel from… too many of whom went into psych because (a) they had their own issues to deal with or (b) weren’t smart enough to get into med school or (c) just thought the field seemed really interesting and years later, when they started to realize it was all bogus just had too much time, energy and life invested to change career course.

    7
  8. I gotta say I’m psychologically impressed by the length of these posts. My freakish hands can barely fat finger my tiny apple keyboard for the most humble of comments. Your commitment is to be lauded.

    4
  9. http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/editors.html

    The Bobgans are ex-psychs who called BS on the hoax industry decades ago and are still paying for it among both “Christian” and secular circles. Too many books and ministries were built upon the loose sand foundation of secular opinion so having that foundation questioned is NOT allowed, even if the foundations flatly contradict the Bible. People have tried to destroy them, quite literally.

    LOTS of fascinating topical articles and critiques on their website, and they’re very readable.

    Incidentally, the Left has long used a very simple but effective tactic:

    1. Co-opt the industry to re-define “mentally ill” to encompass anyone you want eliminated from public view.

    2. “Prove” according to the latest mental health “science” that your enemies are “mentally ill.”

    3. Popular opinion and/or being involuntarily committed will take care of the rest.

    5
  10. Societies that have far less use of psychiatric medications and rate as happier when studied have a lot more welfare programs that allow parents more time off when they have children, have more legally required vacation days, better worker protections, and national healthcare. Basically, being an American will automatically increase your chances of being depressed and drugged up for it. We don’t even have to get rid of capitalism, happy countries are still capitalist. They just don’t trust capitalism for everything. We can still be good American capitalists without allowing the health insurance industry to provide so little and cost so much. We can require employers to pay better and recognise the need for time off at even the lower paying jobs. We don’t have to give up our faith, our guns, or anything like that to say that we should put a check on greed at the top. Or this will be the land of opportunity to be very poor or very rich with nothing in between.

    1
  11. I’ve had several hard life changes in the last two years. Talking with a friend last week, I confessed to having some sadness; a weakness I can normally handle. Instead of just listening, she said I should go on antidepressants. No, not for me.

    That seems to be the answer to whatever ails people these days. They look for a pill or other treatments to ‘cure’ them. Responsibility for life decisions are not considered an integral part of living anymore.

    8
  12. …The Good Lord will listen when no one ELSE will, @Claudia, and He is not called “Wonderful Counseller” for nothing…

    “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
    -Isaah 9:6

    …we’re just randos on the Internet, but HE can shoulder your burdens for you, no medication required…

    “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
    -Psalm 55:22

    …Many of us that know you only through your posts can share Christian love with you, but all pales before the agape love of Christ Himself. Seek it and be comforted, for He sets the Comfortor to abide in YOU forevermore.

    “16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

    17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

    18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
    -John 14:16-18

    God bless, SNS.

    2
  13. Most psychotherapy is absolute shit now for the following reasons:

    1. Much of their income comes from government, which means they have to cater to the whims of the democrat cunts who infest government.

    2. Psychotherapists don’t pay the bills by curing their patients. They pay them by stringing their patients along after they’ve converted what is often an acute psychological problem into a chronic problem.

    3. Psychotherapists don’t get notoriety for having patients with typical problems. They get notoriety for having the most fucked up patient to brag about to their cabal of sociopathic peers. That’s why they support things like normalizing transexualism and pedophilia. That want those stories to brag about, regardless of the damage encouraging such perversions will do the the rest of society.

    3
  14. Thank you, SNS. He’s been getting an earful from me! I trust him even when I don’t feel like it since my feelings don’t change who he is. His promises are what I cling to when times get tough.

    3
  15. CC
    MAY 27, 2019 AT 12:18 PM
    “Can he work on bringing sanity to democrats?”

    .. HE could, @CC, but they may ALSO be a punishment on a lost and drifting Nation that is so far gone it permits a slaughter of the innocents for no reason other than convenience, AND the mutilation of His handiwork in the hubris trying to change the very nature of the bodies HE made into something HE did NOT…

    …I commend you to Daniel 11:36, where the Lord – in a verse that sounds a LOT like it’s about “Obama” – says that we are to be inflicted with such to accomplish His great purpose…

    “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”
    -Daniel 11:36

    …so yes, God COULD change them, but they, like the Devil they obey, serve the LORD’S purpose too, and it may just be to test US to see if WE are worthy of Heaven…

    …a church brother of mine once said he had a person ask him the old athiest troll question of “is the Lord so powerful that HE can make a stone that even HE can’t move?”.

    This is meant, usually, as a “Shut Up” conundrum that is supposed to make the annoying Christian slink away in defeat.

    This day, however, this brother said the Spirit answered FOR him, and said;

    “Yes HE can…and HE did. That stone is free will. The Lord made it and gave it to ALL men, but HE will NOT take it from men even if they, in the hardness of their hearts, reject HIM.”

    …so Dems gotta Dem, that they, even THEY, serve God’s ultimate design, believing all the while that they DEFY Him even as they SERVE him…

    2

Comments are closed.