Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2005, at 20:56:03
In reply to Re: Tardive Dyskinesia from Zyprexa... AGAIN!, posted by yxibow on July 9, 2005, at 15:16:32
OK...about the post...if you read the psychiatric literature, starting in the 80s, there was a HUGE concern over litigation. Part of the problem is that, historically, shrinks in the US have kind of half-*ssed it when it comes to TD. Serentil and Thorazine hit the US market in 1954, the first mentions of the TD syndrome were in the international literature by the end of the 1950s, and by the 1960s the "Thorazine Shuffle" was being noticed by anyone involved with those receiving neuroleptics. In 1968, the FDA finally required that neuroleptics come with a TD-risk warning. However, it wasn't until 1980 that the APA organized the TD task force to actually study the phenomenom. With the introduction of atypicals, shrinks have, by and large, once again taken the "TD: dont ask, dont tell" policy as their professional MO. As for neuroleptic-free treatment of psychotic disorders...everyone, I'm sure, has heard of Mosher's Soteria House. There isn't one in the US, but there is a Soteria-style facility in Germany, and one may open in Alaska in the next couple years. Even neuroleptic pioneers such as Deniker, who was heavily involved in the early phase of Thorazine research and development, have come to take a more critical view of antipsychotics. Deniker's essay, "Should the neuroleptics be withdrawn?" is a striking example of this. Furthermore, if you read actual studies regarding the prevalence of TD, you find that many psychiatrists--from the young interns to the old practitioners--tend to miss the signs of TD, especially in earlier stages. Finally, I find your critique of Clozaril--as highly effective but having "socially undersirable consequences"--to reflect an utter lack of empathy for those who have psychotic disorders. Having interacted with people on Clozaril, I can tell you that the "socially undesirable" side effects make life on the Ultimate Neuroleptic unbearable and undesirable for many people. Yes, the psychosis is controlled, but spontaneity, humor, introspection, wit, and personality also find themselves effectively "controlled" during treatment with Clozaril and many other neuroleptics.
poster:med_empowered
thread:524781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050708/msgs/525571.html