Violent behavior and Psychiatric drugs have a proven link. Specifically, these are SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) drugs, anti-depressants similar to Prozac. Their brand names also include Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft.
Although use of these drugs for children under 18 have not been approved by the FDA (except for Prozac) many of the violent school shootings in recent years have been traced to the perpetrators having been on antidepressant drugs.
Dr. Julian Whitaker of “Whitaker Wellness Institute” has presented additional insight on the aftermath of SSRI use, based on psychiatrist, Dr. David Healy’s book:
“In his book Let Them Eat Prozac: The Unhealthy Relationship Between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Depression, Dr. Healy describes Prozac as a drug in search of a disease. The first SSRI, it hit the market in 1988 and, thanks to Eli Lilly’s aggressive marketing campaign, sales of antidepressants quadrupled in just two years. As Prozac’s popularity soared, it was joined by Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, and other SSRIs.1
“Dr. Healy estimates that SSRIs are responsible for one death for every day that Prozac has been on the market—more than 7,500. At greatest risk are our children. The instigators of virtually all of the tragic school murder/suicides were taking an antidepressant or other psychotropic drugs.
The same goes for more personal family tragedies such as uncharacteristic suicides, self-harm, and violent behaviors that rip families apart.”
Dr. Whitaker provides additional information:
“The drug companies also knew about SSRI’s deadly side effects—and actively covered them up. A 1988 Eli Lilly internal document which surfaced during a trial in 2005 revealed that the company was aware that Prozac conferred a 12-fold greater risk of suicide attempts than other antidepressants. The document also stated that the drug was associated with hostile behavior and that it more than doubled the risk of psychotic depression. What did they do with this knowledge? Nothing.”
Kurt Danysh’s story is especially disturbing. At the age of 18, after having been put on Prozac 17 days earlier by his doctor, Kurt shot and killed his beloved father. Kurt had no history of violent behavior prior to taking the drug.
In Kurt’s police confession he explained,
“I was on Prozac. It’s supposed to calm me down, and like level me out, but since I got on it, when something bothers me, it bothers me to the extreme. I just act differently. I don’t have the energy or personality I used to. I spend half the time in a trance. I didn’t realize I did it until after it was done, and then I realized it. This might sound weird, but it felt like I had no control of what I was doing, like I was left there just holding a gun.”2
In Kurt’s own words, typed in the year 2000 from the prison where he now resides:
“…Sadly, in April of 1996, while experiencing a violent reaction to the drug PROZAC I shot and killed my father. There was no reason for the shooting. I loved my father very much and I have no history of violence prior to taking PROZAC or since.
“At the time there was insufficient evidence to prove my violence was caused by PROZAC. Eli Lilly and Co., the manufacturers of PROZAC, even offered to assist the prosecution by supplying expert testimony by their own doctors. Because of the insufficient evidence and to avoid the death penalty I plead guilty to third degree murder. I received 22 ½ to 60 years. I was 18 at the time.
“I am now 24 years old and have spent the last 4 years of my incarceration researching PROZAC. I have found many studies and cases which prove that PROZAC & similar antidepressants (Zoloft, Luvox & Paxil) can cause violence in people. I am now appealing my criminal case and in the process of bringing suit against ELI LILLY and CO. I hope to force Eli Lilly to recognize their role in the death of my father.”3
As far as I know, Kurt is still in prison, while the makers of violence- inducing SSRIs have free rein in our society.
Sources:
Linked above: http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/effexor.html
1. http://www.whitakerwellness.com/health-concerns/its-life-not-depression/
2. http://healthwyze.org/index.php/antidepressants-ssris-and-psychotropic-drugs.html
I am so grateful, that you and your Team are doing what you are doing, thank you for Leading the Way..