The depression epidemic - Part VII

In the last post I mentioned the work of Dr Peter Breggin and his non-medical approach to what are nowadays called "mental disorders". What I didn't say is that, in spite of his humanity, erudition and massive contributions to the field, his name is never mentioned in the Australian media (at least, I have never heard or seen his name in the numerous public "discussions" of depression, ADHD - about which he has also written exhaustively - or other "mental disorders"). This is all part of the way the mass media select and edit our news for us. When a popular children's magazine featured an article on "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)" during 2004 (right in the midst of the world-wide SSRI controversy) in which readers were told that the SSRIs were used to treat children suffering from this disorder, we wrote to the magazine warning parents about the dangers and mentioned Dr Breggin's work. Our letter was not published.
Articles like the ones we referred to in Part I (17 January 2006) simply do not make any attempt to advise readers that there are alternative ways to think about depression (and other "mental disorders") or that there are serious academics and practitioners who think, feel and act differently. Nor do the mass media mention that there was a time, during the 1960s and 1970s, when dissatisfaction with the medical model was widespread. The media do not, ever, mention the names of R D Laing, David Cooper, Aaron Esterson or Thomas Szasz, for example (See www.consciouslivingseminars.com/nov03_journal.html ; www.consciouslivingseminars.com/dec03_journal.html ; and www.consciouslivingseminars.com/jan04_journal.html ). Nor do they mention Bruno Bettelheim, except when they wish to discredit him, or Harry Stack Sullivan. When was the last time you heard the names of Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, Erich Fromm, Wilhelm Reich or even Carl Rogers? When have the media mentioned existentialism, existentialist psychotherapy or existentialist psychiatry? These are just some of the approaches (and practitioners) that have been banished into oblivion by the deafening silence of the mass media. These approaches - and many others - have not fallen into disrepute because of research demonstrating their ineffectiveness. They have simply been declared null and void by the modern priests of medicine and psychiatry, without any discussion. We once thought these things, they say, but thanks to modern science, we now know better. Modern science - and in particular, modern medicine - is nothing more than a new religion. Here is how one modern guru (who actually claims to be a proponent of the concept of experience shaping development) expressed it: "One factor turning some mental health care providors' attention away from the role of experience in human development may be our attempt to avoid some of the devastating errors of the past. Not so long ago, the mothers of children with autism were accused of being 'refrigerators'; the families of patients with schizophrenia were said to be giving 'double binds'; individuals with bipolar disorder were given thousands of hours of therapy, in search of the 'psychological cause' of their mood swings; and people with obsessive-compulsive disorder were thought to be repressing some early trauma that may have produced their worries. In each of these painful examples, we as professionals looked toward experience to explain the causes of our patients' anguish and dysfunction. Despite the goodness of our intentions, these views were misguided and not helpful to our patients. They produced accusations of blame and a sense of guilt that were unfounded. They did not lead to growth or healing in our patients or their families." The author continues: "Many people have been spared devastating amounts of pain and suffering because of our modern understanding of psychiatric illness and the approriate use of pharmacological agents. Psychiatry has had to embrace the notion that the brain contributes to mental dysfunction, in order to pursue these extremely important avenues of medical care" [Daniel J Siegel (1999) The developing mind, "Preface", Page xiii)].

The above , remember, comes from a psychiatrist who actually believes in the role of the environment, particularly the earliest relationship between mother and baby, in shaping the human mind. The subtitle of the above-mentioned book is: "How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are"!!! Most of what these "experts" declare to be the truth is nothing more than biobabble. There are alternative ways to conceptualise human experience, including the myriad ways we suffer discomfort, distress, pain or despair.

In September 2004 I concluded an article in the CLS Journal by considering an approach called the "Uplift program", created by Bob Murray and Alicia Fortenberry, authors of a relatively recently (2004) published book, Creating optimism. This is what I wrote: "A book – one among many – that was published earlier this year, takes a less pessimistic line (than that of modern mecicine and modern psychiatry - the 'new psychiatry', also called biological psychiatry). Written by Bob Murray, a Clinical Psychologist who seems to live in both San Francisco in the USA and in Sydney, Australia and his partner Alicia Fortinberry, a Psychotherapist, writer and Feldenkreis practitioner, the book is called Creating optimism: A proven, seven-step program for overcoming depression (McGraw-Hill, 2004). They write about their 'revolutionary new approach to overcoming depression' (the Uplift program) for which they claim a 94% success rate. This, they point out, is 'far more effective … than drugs, psychotherapy, or both combined'. Now I am just as sceptical of these kinds of claims as I am about the claims made for the 'magic bullets' (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil/Aropax/Seroxat, Celexa, Luvox, Effexor, etc). But wouldn’t you think that Psychiatrists, Psychologists and others in the so-called 'scientific' community, including those working in government agencies charged with looking after our health, wouldn’t you think that they would take an interest in books (and programs) such as these? Wouldn’t you expect some portion of the millions of dollars spent on research to be allocated to research into such approaches? Although we should feel sceptical about any claims using phrases like 'revolutionary new approach' (or, later, 'a unique, seven-step program') or claims about 'success rates' – whatever the percentage, I have to say that the authors’ approach makes a lot of sense to me. Many people, they write, become depressed because they are 'cut off from what makes us truly human – a network of supportive people, rewarding work, interaction with nature and a connection to the sublime'. The authors base their approach to healing on more than two decades of research and practice sponsored by the University of South Florida . From this experience they conclude that 'real change comes from building healthier relationships with others, our own bodies, nature (including other animals) and spirituality'. In their program they use 'new techniques and insights for mind/body healing, including movement exercises that significantly combat depression and anxiety by stimulating the brain to learn new ways of thinking'. Amongst other things, the authors claim to teach people 'ways to avoid the false values engendered by modern society', ways to create 'healthy interconnectedness' with family, friends and co-workers and 'how to prevent relapse, further expand your personal empowerment, achieve work success and continue to create a solid basis for happiness and healthy spirituality – the most powerful antidepressants known'.

William Glasser, an American Psychiatrist with over forty years in the game, offers a similar (and, in some ways, different) approach in his numerous writings on what he calls “Reality therapy” and “Choice theory” [eg Reality therapy: A new approach to psychiatry (Harper and Row, 1965; paperback edition, 1975); Choice theory: A new psychology of personal freedom (Harper Collins Publishers, 1998); and, more recently, Warning: Psychiatry can be hazardous to your health (Harper Collins Publishers, 2003) with an introduction by Terry Lynch, author of Beyond Prozac: Healing mental distress (Marino Books, 2001)].

For those who are willing to go even deeper, to the original source of their depression, there are approaches like primal therapy, gestalt therapy (which, though based on dealing with the present, often leads back to the past spontaneously), child regressions, hypnotherapy and so on. In addition, there are some fairly obvious remedies: exercise, for example; fresh air and sunshine; changes in nutrition and diet; fulfilling and satisfying sexual activity; making sure you nurture yourself and receive nurturing from others (eg massage; treating yourself to a bubble bath; even a visit to a beautician!); spending time with young children; spending time with special friends; participating in community activities; serving others in some way. The list is almost endless. For children, why don’t we try loving them, listening to them and treating them with dignity and respect before we reach for the medicine cupboard? Combine this with music, laughter, singing, dancing, story-telling and other family activities. Take them out of the childcare centre they attend, or the preschool, or the school for that matter and see if there isn’t some other approach that can work for everyone in the family. Involve grandparents or others in the extended family if this is possible and appropriate. But most important – I think it is worth repeating – LISTEN TO THEM!

As for prevention, the answer is really very simple, even if putting it into practice is not...Before you even have children, perhaps before you even create a relationship, do whatever it takes to heal yourself – to wake up and to become conscious. As you begin this journey you will want to create a conscious relationship, one based on love, honesty and intimacy. When the time comes, you will want to have your baby as naturally as possible, ideally without medical intervention, at home or in a birthing centre. You won’t need anyone to tell you about 'attachment parenting' or natural parenting because, being conscious, you will begin to develop a natural relationship with your baby. Unless there is some medical or other condition preventing you from doing so, you will breast-feed your baby and you will very likely continue to do so for a minimum of two to three years (yes, a minimum). You will stop when you and your baby are ready to move on to the next phase. Your baby will probably sleep with you and your partner (see Three in a bed, by Deborah Jackson). You and your partner will carry your baby, on your body, for at least the first year, but probably considerably longer. When your baby cries you will comfort her; you’ll pick her up, stroke her, rock her, sing lullabies to her, put her on the breast, walk around with her and comfort her in whatever way necessary – not because you’ve read this article but because of what your own feelings and instincts are telling you, pushing you even, to do. You will not put your child into childcare or day care unless financial, family, health or other circumstances make it impossible to find an alternative solution. You will think very carefully about preschool, school and their alternatives (such as 'homeschooling'). In all these matters you will listen to your child’s expressed needs. In addition to the above, you will do your best to protect your child from ingesting the numerous poisons and toxins in your environment. You will choose food carefully and, when it comes to sugars and other inappropriate foodstuffs, you will negotiate with your child, no matter how young, by providing information and by expressing your own feelings and values clearly, cleanly and powerfully. You won’t use force. You’ll protect her from TV advertising for as long as possible, recognising that you cannot compete with the multi-billion-dollar food industry. And, rather than forcefully imposing such intrusive 'preventative' measures as vaccination (and other medications and medical interventions), you will support your child to build up natural immunity by developing a healthy immune system, through all the measures listed above (natural birth, extended breast-feeding, carrying her on your body, co-sleeping, comforting when needed, natural foods, etc) and by minimising stress (this includes letting her cry, exposing her to noise, especially loud, sudden noise, forcing her to do things she doesn’t want to do, abandoning her to institutions like 'childcare, 'day care' and preschools, forcing her to sleep alone, in the dark, interfering with her natural rhythms or natural way of doing things and ignoring her attempts to communicate her needs). If you can find some way to create some version of the above, in some way that suits your own nature and circumstances, listening to your own needs, your own inner voice, your own inner guidance, then, with a modicum of luck, there is no need for your child to become one of the millions who are diagnosed with depression, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), childhood schizophrenia, autism, dyslexia, anxiety disorder, social phobia or any psychiatric disorder whatsoever. All of these 'conditions' are preventable. But you won’t read this in the mass media, including the dozens of parenting magazines now on the market. You won’t read it, because they refuse to print material that interferes with the profits of the companies who fund these newspapers and magazines. If you raise healthy children they will not need drugs. And if they do not need drugs, the companies who manufacture them will cease to exist".

Dorothy Rowe wrote in her Foreword to Terry Lynch's Beyond Prozac: "Lovelessness and loneliness can not be explained by chemical changes in the brain and cured by the ingestion of drugs. Lovelessness and loneliness, like anxiety and depression and all the ways of expressing distress which are called mental disorder, are part of what it is to be human, but a part that can be understood, diminished and banished from our lives simply by caring wisely for ourselves" (Page 2).

Those words are not unlike my own thoughts and feelings about depression and other "mental disorders". I would qualify the above, however, by pointing out that, "by caring wisely for ourselves" in infancy and childhood - or, rather, by having our parents care wisely for us - most of the anxiety, depression and distress that now seem so much a part of being human can be prevented. Most, but not all. The wider social context in which we live our lives can not be ignored. Wars, holocausts, racism, sexism, economic crises, poverty, environmental vandalism and corporate greed and crime all impinge on our lives. So, too, do schools, preschools and "childcare" centres, not to mention our places of employment, the medical profession and government agencies responsible for protecting us from harm and the mass media. In my concluding blog (Part VIII) I will attempt, not another scientific analysis, nor a scholarly treatment of the subject but, instead, a personal account of how I came to think and feel as I do about these things. Readers who are interested, might also wish to read www.consciouslivingseminars.com ("My Story"). In the meantime here is a list of references you will not find discussed in the mainstream media:

Books by Bruno Bettelheim on the work of the Orthogenic School and the results achieved:

1. Love is not enough: The treatment of emotionally disturbed children ( Glencoe Illinois: Free Press of Glencoe, 1950; New York: Avon Books, 1971 (paperback);

2. Truants from life: The rehabilitation of emotionally disturbed children Glencoe Illinois: Free Press of Glencoe, 1955; New York: The Free Press, 1964 (First Free Press Paperback Edition);

3. Paul and Mary: Two case histories from “Truants from life” New York: Anchor Books, Doubleday and Company, 1961;

4. The empty fortress: Infantile autism and the birth of the self New York: The Free Press, 1967; New York: First Free Press Paperback Edition, 1972;

5. A home for the heart New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1974;

Mary Boyle (1990; 2002) Schizophrenia: A scientific delusion? (Second edition, New York:Routledge,2002)

David Cooper (1967) Psychiatry and anti-psychiatry (London: Tavistock Publications, 1967; Paladin, 1970, 1972);

David Cooper (1968) (Editor) The dialectics of liberation (Penguin Books, 1968);

David Cooper (1971) The death of the family (Penguin Books, 1972, 1973, 1974);

David Cooper (1974) The grammar of living: An examination of political acts (Pelican Books, 1976);

David Cooper (1978) The language of madness (Pelican Books, 1980);

Aaron Esterson (1970) The leaves of spring: Schizophrenia, family and sacrifice; A study in the dialectics of madness (London: Tavistock Publications, 1970; Penguin Books, 1972);

William Glasser (1965) Reality therapy: A new approach to psychiatry (Harper and Row, 1965; paperback edition, 1975);

William Glasser (1998) Choice theory: A new psychology of personal freedom (Harper Collins Publishers, 1998);

William Glasser (2003) Warning: Psychiatry can be hazardous to your health (Harper Collins Publishers, 2003) with an introduction by Terry Lynch, author of Beyond Prozac: Healing mental distress (Marino Books, 2001)];

Joseph Glenmullen (2000) Prozac backlash: Overcoming the dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and other antidepressants with safe, efective alternatives (New York: Touchstone, 2001);

Joseph Glenmullen (2005) The antidepressant solution: A step-by-step guide to safely overcoming antidepressant withdrawal, dependence and "addiction" (New York: Free Press, 2005);

Richard Gosden (2001) Punishing the patient: How psychiatrists misunderstand and mistreat schizophrenia (Melbourne: Scribe Publications, 2001);

Joanne Greenberg (1964) I never promised you a rose garden (New York: New American Library, 1964);

Gail A Hornstein (2000) To redeem one person is to redeem the world: The life of Frieda Fromm-Reichmann (New York: The Free Press, 2000);

Lucy Johstone (1989;2000) Users and abusers of psychiatry: A critcal look at psychiatric practice (Second edition, London: Routledge, 2000);

Adrian Laing (1994) R D Laing: A biography (New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press, 1994, 1996);

R D Laing (1960) The divided self: An existential study in sanity and madness (London: Tavistock Publications, 1960; Penguin Books, 1965 [with new Preface, September, 1964);

R D Laing (1961; 1969) The self and others (London: Tavistock Publications, 1961; second edition [Self and others], Pantheon Books, 1969; Pelican Books, 1971, 1972 [extensively revised, with new Preface, May, 1969]);

R D Laing and Aaron Esterson (1964) Sanity, madness and the family: Volume 1: Families of schizophrenics (London: Tavistock Publications, 1964; second edition, Pelican Books, 1970 [with a new Preface, October, 1969]);

R D Laing (1964) “Violence and love”. Lecture given on 21 January, 1964 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. Reprinted as Chapter 3 of Laing, 1967 under the heading “The mystification of experience”, pp49-64.

R D Laing (1964a). “Transcendental experience”. Paper delivered to the First International Congress of Social Psychiatry, London, in August, 1964. Reprinted as Chapter 6 of Laing, 1967: 108-119;

R D Laing and David Cooper (1964) Reason and violence: A decade of Sartre’s philosophy, 1950-1960 (London: Tavistock Publications, 1964; New York: Vintage Books, 1971);

R D Laing (1965) “A ten-day voyage”, Views, 1965, No 8; reprinted as Chapter 7 of Laing, 1967: 120-137;

R D Laing, H Phillipson and A R Lee (1966). Interpersonal perception: A theory and method of research (London: Tavistock Publications, 1966);

R D Laing (1967) The politics of experience and the bird of paradise (Penguin Books, 1967);

R D Laing (1969) " The politics of the family". Reprinted in The politics of the family and other essays (London: Tavistock Publications, 1971; Penguin Books, 1976);

R D Laing (1985). Wisdom, madness and folly (London: Macmillan, 1985);

Terry Lynch (2001; 2004) Beyond Prozac: Healing mental distress (Second edition - though not actually called "second edition", PCCS Books, 2004);

Lou Marinoff (1999) Plato not prozac: Applying eternal wisdom to everyday problems (Quill paperback edition, 2000);

Theron Raines (2002) Rising to the light: A portrait of Bruno Bettelheim (New York: Alfred A Knopf, 2002). 518 pages.

Morton Schatzman (1973). Soul murder: Persecution in the family (Penguin Books, 1976);

Thomas Szasz (1960) "The myth of mental illness", The American Psychologist, February 1960, Volume 15:113-118. Reprinted in Szasz (1970);

Thomas Szasz (1961) The myth of mental illness: Foundations of a theory of personal conduct (Paladin paperback, 1972, 1973);

Thomas Szasz (1970) Ideology and insanity: Essays on the psychiatric dehumanisation of man (Penguin Books, 1974);

Thomas Szasz (1970) The manufacture of madness: A comparative study of the Inquisition and the mental health movement (Granada Publishing Limited, Paladin Books, 1973;1977);

Robert Whitaker (2002) Mad in America: Bad science, bad medicine and the enduring mistreatment of the mentally ill (Perseus Publishing, paperback, March 2003) (To be continued).