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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 16:07:50
I just wanted to give my opinion on this site to anyone who's looking for information or help on discontinuing benzodiazepines. Benzo Island is truly an island. It's closed off. Even if you just want to read the forums, you have to register, give an introduction and be approved, and then you are sort of assigned to a person who will "help" you and give you a discontinuation plan. At least they reference the Ashton Manual, which I believe to be very useful. The site is NOT, however, affiliated with Dr. Heather Ashton or www.benzo.org.uk (the "good guys").
Now, I can't vouch for how well their discontinuation advice works because I quit the site after being personally attacked. Once they have you snared in their net, they start to try to get you into the whole anti-psychiatry/ Peter Breggin mindset. Honestly, if I wasn't fairly knowledgeable about all of this, I might've believed them. Maybe I would've stopped taking meds. Maybe I would've even killed myself...I think it's a dangerous site. They will tell a schizophrenic (or at least imply) that antipsychotic medication is "bad" for them. AP meds are certainly no picnic for some people, but for other people they are life-savers. None of these drugs are perfect, but a lot of us lead much better lives because of them.
The site really made me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, I really felt that they applied a sort of "cult" psychology there. It was just really weird and a little disturbing. It's very secretive and dictatorial. It's not good. I think they are intentionally and irresponsibly toying with people's mental health because of their own unfounded beliefs. What's worse, it's all based on pseudoscience.
Posted by Glydin 2010 on May 24, 2010, at 17:22:48
In reply to Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org), posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 16:07:50
Yuck. Sorry about your experience.
I actually found the "A" site - at one time we couldn't reference that site - to not be to my liking.... SO one does need to be discerning. If it's not a good fit, it's probably best to jettison.
Posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 17:36:33
In reply to Re: Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org) » detroitpistons, posted by Glydin 2010 on May 24, 2010, at 17:22:48
Not only is it not a good fit, it's a public health hazard. Anything or anyone suggesting that psychiatric patients stop taking their medication is dangerous.
> Yuck. Sorry about your experience.
>
> I actually found the "A" site - at one time we couldn't reference that site - to not be to my liking.... SO one does need to be discerning. If it's not a good fit, it's probably best to jettison.
Posted by Glydin 2010 on May 24, 2010, at 17:53:55
In reply to Re: Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org) » Glydin 2010, posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 17:36:33
Yes. I absolutely agree with you there.
I have found if one looks deep enough, a commonality can be found with what some of these sites are linked with. Not all but a fair amount.
Posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2010, at 20:17:00
In reply to Re: Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org) » detroitpistons, posted by Glydin 2010 on May 24, 2010, at 17:53:55
I think I know what you are referring to. Write. Phillipa
Posted by Laney on May 24, 2010, at 21:24:12
In reply to Re: Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org) » Glydin 2010, posted by Phillipa on May 24, 2010, at 20:17:00
It's really hard to work with these folks. It is pretty weird actually. He's right about everything said. I didn't know they were pro-Bregginish though. But you definitely can't access anything unless you are given the ok.
Laney
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 24, 2010, at 22:59:19
In reply to Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org), posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 16:07:50
> I just wanted to give my opinion on this site to anyone who's looking for information or help on discontinuing benzodiazepines. Benzo Island is truly an island. It's closed off. Even if you just want to read the forums, you have to register, give an introduction and be approved, and then you are sort of assigned to a person who will "help" you and give you a discontinuation plan. At least they reference the Ashton Manual, which I believe to be very useful. The site is NOT, however, affiliated with Dr. Heather Ashton or www.benzo.org.uk (the "good guys").
>
> Now, I can't vouch for how well their discontinuation advice works because I quit the site after being personally attacked. Once they have you snared in their net, they start to try to get you into the whole anti-psychiatry/ Peter Breggin mindset. Honestly, if I wasn't fairly knowledgeable about all of this, I might've believed them. Maybe I would've stopped taking meds. Maybe I would've even killed myself...I think it's a dangerous site. They will tell a schizophrenic (or at least imply) that antipsychotic medication is "bad" for them. AP meds are certainly no picnic for some people, but for other people they are life-savers. None of these drugs are perfect, but a lot of us lead much better lives because of them.
>
> The site really made me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, I really felt that they applied a sort of "cult" psychology there. It was just really weird and a little disturbing. It's very secretive and dictatorial. It's not good. I think they are intentionally and irresponsibly toying with people's mental health because of their own unfounded beliefs. What's worse, it's all based on pseudoscience.dp,
You wrote,[...What's worse, it's all based on xxx...].
I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean. If you could post answres to the following, then I could have the opportunity to respond acordingly.
A. could you list some parts of {it's all} that is based on xxx and state here if it is your opinion or if it is fact?
B. why are the parts that you list here, if you list some, xxx?
C. other questions if the above are answered
Lou
Posted by detroitpistons on May 25, 2010, at 0:42:24
In reply to Lou's request-aomeebah » detroitpistons, posted by Lou Pilder on May 24, 2010, at 22:59:19
Lou,
I don't have any answers for you. I don't understand your questions. I said "pseudoscience," not "xxx." Unless you have a specific question for me, I don't have any specific answers. However, I have a feeling of where you are trying to go with this....Psychiatry, neurology, psychology, are not perfect because the inner workings of the brain are incredibly difficult to observe, study and explain. These sciences are really still in their infancies on a historical perspective. However, advances are being made.
People who make sweeping generalizations about an entire field of study based on a few factors of their choosing, while completely ignoring a vast sea of evidence are simply myopic or delusional. The Benzo Island folks would lead you to believe that "all xxx is yyy" regarding psychiatry and/or psychiatric therapies. It smacks of paranoia, conspiracy theories, etc. No matter what subject is being discussed, that kind of reasoning is flawed. In my opinion, people such as those at Benzo Island fail to make any distinctions between or among, well....anything. It's just a "pills are bad" mentality. That's ignorant.
That's my opinion. You have to look at the whole rather than a few parts.
> > I just wanted to give my opinion on this site to anyone who's looking for information or help on discontinuing benzodiazepines. Benzo Island is truly an island. It's closed off. Even if you just want to read the forums, you have to register, give an introduction and be approved, and then you are sort of assigned to a person who will "help" you and give you a discontinuation plan. At least they reference the Ashton Manual, which I believe to be very useful. The site is NOT, however, affiliated with Dr. Heather Ashton or www.benzo.org.uk (the "good guys").
> >
> > Now, I can't vouch for how well their discontinuation advice works because I quit the site after being personally attacked. Once they have you snared in their net, they start to try to get you into the whole anti-psychiatry/ Peter Breggin mindset. Honestly, if I wasn't fairly knowledgeable about all of this, I might've believed them. Maybe I would've stopped taking meds. Maybe I would've even killed myself...I think it's a dangerous site. They will tell a schizophrenic (or at least imply) that antipsychotic medication is "bad" for them. AP meds are certainly no picnic for some people, but for other people they are life-savers. None of these drugs are perfect, but a lot of us lead much better lives because of them.
> >
> > The site really made me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, I really felt that they applied a sort of "cult" psychology there. It was just really weird and a little disturbing. It's very secretive and dictatorial. It's not good. I think they are intentionally and irresponsibly toying with people's mental health because of their own unfounded beliefs. What's worse, it's all based on pseudoscience.
>
> dp,
> You wrote,[...What's worse, it's all based on xxx...].
> I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean. If you could post answres to the following, then I could have the opportunity to respond acordingly.
> A. could you list some parts of {it's all} that is based on xxx and state here if it is your opinion or if it is fact?
> B. why are the parts that you list here, if you list some, xxx?
> C. other questions if the above are answered
> Lou
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 25, 2010, at 7:58:34
In reply to Stay away from Benzo Island (benzoisland.org), posted by detroitpistons on May 24, 2010, at 16:07:50
> I think it's a dangerous site.
>
> Once they have you snared in their net, they start to try to get you into the whole anti-psychiatry/ Peter Breggin mindset.
>
> Honestly, I really felt that they applied a sort of "cult" psychology there. It was just really weird and a little disturbing. It's very secretive and dictatorial. It's not good. I think they are intentionally and irresponsibly toying with people's mental health because of their own unfounded beliefs. What's worse, it's all based on pseudoscience.Please be sensitive to the feelings of others (such as users of Benzo Island) and respect their views even if you think they're wrong.
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person, and I'm sorry if this hurts you.
More information about posting policies and tips on alternative ways to express oneself, including a link to a nice post by Dinah on I-statements, are in the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforce> Benzo Island is truly an island. It's closed off. Even if you just want to read the forums, you have to register, give an introduction and be approved, and then you are sort of assigned to a person who will "help" you and give you a discontinuation plan. At least they reference the Ashton Manual, which I believe to be very useful.
>
> Now, I can't vouch for how well their discontinuation advice works because I quit the site after being personally attacked. ... Honestly, if I wasn't fairly knowledgeable about all of this, I might've believed them. Maybe I would've stopped taking meds. Maybe I would've even killed myself ... They will tell a schizophrenic (or at least imply) that antipsychotic medication is "bad" for them. AP meds are certainly no picnic for some people, but for other people they are life-savers. None of these drugs are perfect, but a lot of us lead much better lives because of them.
>
> The site really made me feel uncomfortable.That uses I-statements, which I consider OK. Do you see a difference?
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by detroitpistons on May 25, 2010, at 12:48:49
In reply to Re: please be sensitive » detroitpistons, posted by Dr. Bob on May 25, 2010, at 7:58:34
Copy that. Sorry Dr. Bob.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 25, 2010, at 17:10:12
In reply to Re: please be sensitive » Dr. Bob, posted by detroitpistons on May 25, 2010, at 12:48:49
Posted by detroitpistons on May 26, 2010, at 14:58:44
In reply to Re: Lou's request-aomeebah, posted by detroitpistons on May 25, 2010, at 0:42:24
I just realized something...I think he's calling me an amoeba in the subject line! LOL! I am certainly NOT a single celled protozoan! I'm a mammal and darn proud of it! I have tissues, organs, and systems. Now, whether or not I'm "smarter" than an amoeba is a different matter. I certainly hope I am! :)
Posted by Conundrum on May 30, 2010, at 10:13:58
In reply to Re: Lou's request-aomeebah, posted by detroitpistons on May 26, 2010, at 14:58:44
I thought the same thing. Don't know what the deal is with the secret codes.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 30, 2010, at 20:44:52
In reply to Re: Lou's request-aomeebah » detroitpistons, posted by Conundrum on May 30, 2010, at 10:13:58
> I thought the same thing. Don't know what the deal is with the secret codes.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding secret codes to Psycho-Babble Social. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20100528/msgs/949573.html
That'll be considered a new thread, so if you'd like to be notified by email of follow-ups to it, you'll need to request that there. Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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