Thursday, October 7, 2010

Anatomy Of An Epidemic: (Mental Illness)

A few things recently brought to my attention about the current mental health crisis in America:



  • 40 years ago, depressive episodes ran their course and there was virtually complete recovery. Changes in the field of diagnosing and treating depression has led to a 600% increase of people on Social Security mental health disability.
  • In most cases, studies show drugs work no better than a placebo and are causing even more serious mental disorders than the one subjects are originally treated for.
  • Antidepressant drug users tend to spiral downward into a chronic course of long-term depression.
  • 1985: $600 M p/yr, Today: $40B p/yr, dollars spent on mental wellness pharma, with disability rates and bipolar illness skyrocketing.
  • In the 70's, the APA saw an influx of therapists and the bad news that the stand by anti-anxiety drug was too addictive and harmful to use. In response, a new diagnostic manual was created, mood problems such as depression became medical disorders and the treatment of such was prohibited except by physicians and psychiatrists. The APA then partnered with pharma companies.
  • Exercise is just as effective as drug therapy and patients are less likely to see their depression return were the findings of a Duke University study.
  • Yoga is an alternative to depression and anxiety, low GABA level disorders...studies have found yoga increases brain GABA.
  • Sugar, additives, preservatives and food colorants cause behavioral changes. Dietary changes such as severely limiting sugar, especially fructose, and grains treat depression.
  • Krill Oil, a rich source of Omega-3 fats, is as effective as antidepressants. Krill oil has 50x the amount of Omega-3s than standard fish oil.
  • Vitamin D deficient people are 11x more prone to depression. Incidence of schizophrenia may be reduced by as much as 87% with vitamin D supplements.
  • Sodium deficiency's symptoms mimics those of major depression.
"Psychiatric drugs, it turns out, are fully capable of disabling - often permanently - body brain and spirit." - Dr Gary Kohls


Source: Dr. Joseph Mercola

2 comments:

toniroberts said...

Hmm the drugs and placebo thing is pretty disturbing, especially when we see more and more drugs being introduced. As for krill oil, I didn't know it's also an antidepressant. I take it for my joints and for maintaining a healthy heart. Here's a good video explaining some facts about krill oil and omega 3 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj-ZnG3NoZY

krill oil benefits said...

I don't know what big pharma are thinking. I hope they support organic supplements. they have to accept the reality.