The truth about drugs and mental health, by elliot valenstein a detailed analysis with proof of how the pharmaceutical industry sold the medical field, over decades, on the idea of pharmaceutical treatment for psychiatric disorders. Valenstein like the cracking of the genetic code and the creation of the atomic bomb, the discovery of how the brains neurons work is one of the fundamental scientific developments of the twentieth century. The war of the soups and the sparks columbia university press. Blaming the brain book by elliot valenstein official publisher. In 1998, at the dawn of consumer advertising of ssris, professor emeritus of neuroscience elliot valenstein summarized the scientific data by concluding, what physicians and the public are reading about mental illness is by no means a neutral reflection of all the information that is available. Jan 01, 1973 this book traces the fascinating story of mans attempt to control his own brain. Now, in blaming the brain he exposes the many weaknesses inherent in the scientific arguments supporting the widely accepted theory that biochemical imbalances are the main cause of mental illness. He is a psychologist, author, researcher, and expert in mental health online, and has been writing about.
A biopsychologist deeply skeptical of the widely accepted biochemical approach to mental illness presents a welldocumented argument against it. Paul fitzgerald is sure to win some friends in the industry. The truth about drugs and mental health valenstein, elliot on. Elliot valenstein, professor emeritus at the university of michigan, has spent his life studying the brain and behavior, so when he started to write a book on the chemical theories of mental illness he expected to find significant evidence in support of these theories. Representative of a large group of medical and biochemistry experts, elliot valenstein, ph. Global burden of disease citizens commission on human. An earlier generations favored cure was lobotomy before, in the early 1950s, the discovery of thorazines chlorpromazine quieting effects ushered in this, now dominant, psychiatric treatment paradigm. Global burden of disease citizens commission on human rights. Elliot valenstem, professor emeritus at the univer sity of michigan, has spent his life studying the brain and behavior, so when he started to write a book on the chemical theories of mental illness he expected to find significant evidence in support of these theories.
Valenstein is emeritus professor of psychology and neuroscience at the university of michigan and the author of blaming the brain. For example, ad campaigns in newsweek, time magazine, and readers digest at the start of the antidepressant movement conveyed messages that mental disorders can be treated just like diabetes or. The evidence does not support any of the biochemical theories of mental illness, concluded elliot valenstein, a professor of neuroscience at the university of michigan, in his 1998 book blaming the brain. The truth about drugs and mental health original ed. Unlike authors like david healy6 and elliot valenstein7 who railed against the use of antidepressants and against pharmaceutical companies in general. Valenstein, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the university of michigan, is convinced that neuropharmacology has not brought us closer to understanding the origin of mental disorders or even to how drugs may help alleviate these. A critical examination of brain stimulation and psychosurgery.
Signs of heaven blog archive chemical imbalance fraud. Nov 08, 2005 in 1998, at the dawn of consumer advertising of ssris, professor emeritus of neuroscience elliot valenstein summarized the scientific data by concluding, what physicians and the public are reading about mental illness is by no means a neutral reflection of all the information that is available. Thetruth about drugs and mental health free press, new york,1998. Valenstein like the cracking of the genetic code and the creation of the atomic bomb, the discovery of how the brain s neurons work is one of the fundamental scientific developments of the twentieth century. This book shows the errors that underlie belief in biochemical theories of socalled mental illness and in the effectiveness of psychiatric drugs.
Unlike authors like david healy6 and elliot valenstein 7 who railed against the use of antidepressants and against pharmaceutical companies in general. Blaming the brain the truth about drugs and mental health pdf, epub ebook. Given the ubiquity of a neurotransmitter such as serotonin and the multiplicity of its functions, it is almost as meaningless to implicate it. The truth about drugs and mental health 1998 elliot valenstein, ph. All of the impressive knowledge of neuropharmacology has not really brought us closer to understanding the origin of mental disorders. Click download or read online button to get the truth about the drug companies book now. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The truth about the drug companies download ebook pdf. This book traces the fascinating story of mans attempt to control his own brain.
There are no tests available for assessing the chemical status of. The discovery of chemical neurotransmitters sciencedirect. Valenstein is professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at the university of michigan and former chairman of the biopsychology program. The way to sell drugs is to sell psychiatric illness. Valenstein reveals how, beginning in the 1950s, the accidental discovery of a few moodaltering drugs stimulated an enormous interest in.
He is a noted authority on brain stimulation and psychosurgery. Valenstein says the biochemical theory is held onto only because it is useful in promoting drug treatment. The psychiatric establishment and the health care industry have shifted 180 degrees from blaming mother to blaming the brain as the source of mental disorders. There are no tests available for assessing the chemical status of a living persons brain. Neurotransmitters have become such an intrinsic part of our theories about brain function that many today are unaware of how difficult it was to prove their existence or the protracted dispute over the nature of synaptic transmission. Patients have been diagnosed with chemical imbalances despite the fact that no test exists to support such a claim, andthere is no real conception of what a correct chemical balance would look like. Whereas experience and environment were long viewed as the root causes of most emotional problems, now it is common to believe. The information in this publication is a warning for people who may be experiencing serious difficul.
The truth about the drug companies download ebook pdf, epub. John grohol is the founder and editorinchief of psych central. The number of different brain changes that can occur over a threeweek period of drug treatment is huge, as every change produces a cascade of other changes until the complexities become unfathomable. Valenstein born december 9, 1923 is a professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at the university of michigan. Ronald robert fieve march 5, 1930, stevens point january 2, 2018, palm beach was an american psychiatrist known for his work on the use of lithium in treatment of mood disorders. In his book blaming the brain, biopsychologist elliot s. Patients have been diagnosed with chemical imbalances despite the fact that no test exists to support such a claim, and. The truth about drugs and mental health demonstrates why rationales for this paradigm aint necessarily so. The truth about drugs and mental health by elliot valenstein. In blaming the brain elliott valenstein exposes the many weaknesses inherent in the scientific arguments supporting the widely accepted theory that biochemical imbalances are the main cause of mental illness. Blaming the brain over the last thirty years, there has been a radical shift in thinking about the causes of mental illness.