Side Effects

Grief

Committed: An Interview With Suzanne Scanlon

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on April 16, 2024

A new memoir concerns the treatment of prolonged grief in one of America’s most influential psychiatric hospitals.

A new memoir concerns the treatment of prolonged grief in one of America’s most influential psychiatric hospitals.

Psychiatry

The Rebel’s Clinic: A Book Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on April 10, 2024

An outstanding new biography of Frantz Fanon sees the psychiatric clinic he ran in Algeria as a cornerstone of his thinking and activism.

An outstanding new biography of Frantz Fanon sees the psychiatric clinic he ran in Algeria as a cornerstone of his thinking and activism.

Psychopharmacology

Saving Minds: A Film Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on February 22, 2024

A powerful new documentary investigates how severe mental illness is commonly treated.

A powerful new documentary investigates how severe mental illness is commonly treated.

SSRIs

Can the Rate of Antidepressant Prescribing Be Reversed?

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on December 19, 2023

In the UK and Australia, medical professionals and organizations are calling for a reduction in antidepressant prescribing.

In the UK and Australia, medical professionals and organizations are calling for a reduction in antidepressant prescribing.

Health

New Mental Health Guidelines from the World Health Organization

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on December 6, 2023

Newly updated guidelines from the World Health Organization prioritize psychosocial treatments over pharmaceutical ones.

Newly updated guidelines from the World Health Organization prioritize psychosocial treatments over pharmaceutical ones.

Psychiatry

The Problem of Inflated Efficacy in Psychiatry Journals

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on October 23, 2023

New research finds widely prescribed drugs are much less effective than their published record suggests.

New research finds widely prescribed drugs are much less effective than their published record suggests.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How to Socialize During a Pandemic

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

On the continuing right to avoid infection, and its costs.

On the continuing right to avoid infection, and its costs.

Psychopharmacology

Benzodiazepines Linked to Long-Term Neurological Dysfunction

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on June 29, 2023

A large survey of benzodiazepine withdrawal found that almost half of respondents experienced drug-related symptoms more than a year later.

A large survey of benzodiazepine withdrawal found that almost half of respondents experienced drug-related symptoms more than a year later.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

“We Want Them Infected”: A Review of the Push for Herd Immunity

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

Why was mass infection a centerpiece of the nation’s pandemic response, more than five months before vaccines were available? An outstanding new book investigates.

Why was mass infection a centerpiece of the nation’s pandemic response, more than five months before vaccines were available? An outstanding new book investigates.

Psychiatry

When Psychiatric Treatment Isn’t Voluntary

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

A timely new book on why the number of involuntary detentions involving psychiatry is skyrocketing.

A timely new book on why the number of involuntary detentions involving psychiatry is skyrocketing.

Sex

Sexual Dysfunction May Continue Even After SSRIs Are Ended

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction is a medical condition that persists after antidepressants are discontinued. A field review says that it causes “substantial and prolonged suffering.”

Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction is a medical condition that persists after antidepressants are discontinued. A field review says that it causes “substantial and prolonged suffering.”

Psychiatry

Strangers to Ourselves: A Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on January 20, 2023

A haunting new book on the stakes of psychiatric diagnosis.

A haunting new book on the stakes of psychiatric diagnosis.

Anxiety

Take Your Pills: A Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on December 1, 2022

Netflix’s new documentary on benzodiazepines raises fresh questions about dependence, withdrawal, and overuse.

Netflix’s new documentary on benzodiazepines raises fresh questions about dependence, withdrawal, and overuse.

SSRIs

Safer Tapering to End Antidepressant Treatment

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on November 2, 2022

An offramp from antidepressants.

An offramp from antidepressants.

Depression

A Decisive Blow to the Serotonin Hypothesis of Depression

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on July 19, 2022

An exhaustive, well-powered review may have conclusively debunked the “chemical imbalance” theory of depression.

An exhaustive, well-powered review may have conclusively debunked the “chemical imbalance” theory of depression.

DSM

Pathological: The True Story of Six Misdiagnoses

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on June 16, 2022

A compelling new memoir on mental illness offers fresh insight into psychiatric error and hubris.

A compelling new memoir on mental illness offers fresh insight into psychiatric error and hubris.

Anxiety

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Tied to Serious Long-Term Harms

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on May 12, 2022

With more than 92 million prescriptions for benzodiazepines annually dispensed in the United States, why is so little known about the experiences of those discontinuing them?

With more than 92 million prescriptions for benzodiazepines annually dispensed in the United States, why is so little known about the experiences of those discontinuing them?

SSRIs

Pandemic Prescribing of Antidepressants

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on April 7, 2022

Sharply higher increases in antidepressant use worldwide raise concerns about the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of long-term consumption.

Sharply higher increases in antidepressant use worldwide raise concerns about the safety, efficacy, and environmental impact of long-term consumption.

SSRIs

Diagnosing Long-Term Sexual Dysfunction from SSRIs

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on January 20, 2022

With SSRI antidepressants found to cause sexual dysfunction in 40 to 65 percent of patients treated, researchers indicate how best to recognize and treat the condition.

With SSRI antidepressants found to cause sexual dysfunction in 40 to 65 percent of patients treated, researchers indicate how best to recognize and treat the condition.

SSRIs

How to Discontinue Antidepressants Safely: A Book Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on December 20, 2021

If antidepressant dependence and withdrawal represent “a major, silent health emergency,” as a new book claims, why has neither received adequate attention?

If antidepressant dependence and withdrawal represent “a major, silent health emergency,” as a new book claims, why has neither received adequate attention?