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Psychiatry Through the Looking Glass

A psychologist peers into psychiatry's past, present and future

Psychiatry
International Survey of Electroconvulsive Therapy

John Read Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

Research on ECT typically relies on the assessments of the psychiatrists who prescribed it. This international survey asks the patients themselves and their relatives instead.

Research on ECT typically relies on the assessments of the psychiatrists who prescribed it. This international survey asks the patients themselves and their relatives instead.

SSRIs
Findings From a Survey of 530 British Antidepressant Users

John Read Ph.D. on September 15, 2023

A survey of over 500 British antidepressant users found that most experienced severe withdrawal effects when they tried to stop, yet few received any help to come off safely.

A survey of over 500 British antidepressant users found that most experienced severe withdrawal effects when they tried to stop, yet few received any help to come off safely.

SSRIs
Services for People Withdrawing From Antidepressants

John Read Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

Hundreds of antidepressant users express dissatisfaction with their prescribing doctors regarding their recommendations for withdrawal from the drugs.

Hundreds of antidepressant users express dissatisfaction with their prescribing doctors regarding their recommendations for withdrawal from the drugs.

Psychiatry
Remembering a Quarter of a Million "Mental Patients" Murdered in the 1930s and 1940s

John Read Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

During World War II, an unsubstantiated genetic theory justified the killing of thousands of mental patients. What lessons should be learned from this for the treatment of mental health today?

During World War II, an unsubstantiated genetic theory justified the killing of thousands of mental patients. What lessons should be learned from this for the treatment of mental health today?

Psychiatry
An Alternative to Psychiatric Hospitals

John Read Ph.D. on June 28, 2022

With the UN and the World Health Organisation calling for alternatives to psychiatric labels, drugs, and hospitals, a psychiatrist in Israel has been getting on with the job.

With the UN and the World Health Organisation calling for alternatives to psychiatric labels, drugs, and hospitals, a psychiatrist in Israel has been getting on with the job.

Psychopharmacology
Withdrawing From Antipsychotic Drugs

John Read Ph.D. on March 25, 2022

A study finds that more than 2 out of 3 people experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to come off their antipsychotic medication, which is about the same as it is for antidepressants.

A study finds that more than 2 out of 3 people experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to come off their antipsychotic medication, which is about the same as it is for antidepressants.

Anxiety
Understanding Our Psychological Reactions to COVID

John Read Ph.D. on August 11, 2021

Much has been written about our mental health during the pandemic, mostly conjecture. A team of researchers has been tracking 2,000 of us to see what is really happening,

Much has been written about our mental health during the pandemic, mostly conjecture. A team of researchers has been tracking 2,000 of us to see what is really happening,

Health
W.H.O. and U.N. Join Calls to Transcend the Medical Model

John Read Ph.D. on June 22, 2021

The World Health Organization worries that in psychiatric services "The predominant focus of care in many contexts continues to be on diagnosis, medication and symptom reduction."

The World Health Organization worries that in psychiatric services "The predominant focus of care in many contexts continues to be on diagnosis, medication and symptom reduction."

Health
Patients Are Being Misinformed About Electroconvulsive Therapy

John Read Ph.D. on June 15, 2021

Electroconvulsive therapy can have significant side effects and there is only limited evidence of its efficacy. The information given to patients in the UK is often misleading.

Electroconvulsive therapy can have significant side effects and there is only limited evidence of its efficacy. The information given to patients in the UK is often misleading.

Psychopharmacology
Withdrawal Effects of Antipsychotic Drugs Are Still Ignored

John Read Ph.D. on April 26, 2021

Antipsychotic drugs have severe adverse effects that lead many people to come off them. When they do, they often receive no support in dealing with the serious withdrawal effects.

Antipsychotic drugs have severe adverse effects that lead many people to come off them. When they do, they often receive no support in dealing with the serious withdrawal effects.

John Read
Health
Report Finds Monitoring of Electroshock Treatment Unsafe

John Read Ph.D. on March 15, 2021

An independent audit reports that many Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) clinics in England are using unsafe practices. No effective regulation of the clinics exists.

An independent audit reports that many Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) clinics in England are using unsafe practices. No effective regulation of the clinics exists.

SSRIs
Online Antidepressant Withdrawal Support Groups

John Read Ph.D. on January 28, 2021

About half of the millions of people trying to come off antidepressants experience withdrawal effects. There is little support available from doctors. Where are they getting help?

About half of the millions of people trying to come off antidepressants experience withdrawal effects. There is little support available from doctors. Where are they getting help?