Posted by Susan on April 17, 2000, at 15:39:04
In reply to Joseph Glenmullen, MD and Prozac Backlash..., posted by Adam on April 11, 2000, at 18:55:35
I have reviewed “Prozac Backlash.” Notwithstanding the existence of legitimate issues about the efficacy of those necessary evils, SSRIs, I am here to tell you that Glenmullen is unscientific and polemical to the point of dishonesty. Rhetorically, the book is one long rant against straw men: who the hell are these supposed “false prophets of Prozac and zealots of Zoloft?” Nobody I know. The book is larded with unbelievable anecdotes about supposed patients of Glenmullen who seem not so much depressed as they are mentally retarded. In place of SSRIs, Glenmullen advocates psychotherapy as “an existential encounter,” with plenty of conversation about your nasty bits, and Saint John’s Wort (!).
Glenmullen’s book is nonsense, but so what? Carloads of nonsensical books are published every year. What is most demoralizing about “Prozac Backlash” are the shameless, uncritical endorsements from Harvard faculty members and prominent psychiatrists printed on the book cover, which, frankly, motivated me to buy the book. I want my money back.
Here is a “Prozac Backlash” backlash:
http://www.medscape.com/MedscapeWire/2000/0400/medwire.0413.prozac.htmlHere is Glenmullen’s website: http://www.glenmullen.com/prozacBacklash.html.
poster:Susan
thread:29656
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000411/msgs/30362.html