Side Effects

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 30 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 30 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?

Psychiatry

Psychiatry’s Harmful Conflicts of Interest

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on September 24, 2021

“Sunshine” legislation has failed to curb financial entanglements in American psychiatry.

“Sunshine” legislation has failed to curb financial entanglements in American psychiatry.

Psychiatry

Nobody’s Normal: A Book Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on February 24, 2021

A compelling new book examines the history and myth of normalcy.

A compelling new book examines the history and myth of normalcy.

SSRIs

Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome After Antidepressant Use

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on January 4, 2021

Withdrawal from widely prescribed drugs is common but mostly unstudied.

Withdrawal from widely prescribed drugs is common but mostly unstudied.

Psychopharmacology

The Link Between Payments and Prescribing

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on November 30, 2020

A systematic review finds a clear and consistent association between drug company payments and physician prescribing.

A systematic review finds a clear and consistent association between drug company payments and physician prescribing.

Psychiatry

Medicating Normal: A Film Review

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

A compelling new documentary weighs the toll of overprescribing.

A compelling new documentary weighs the toll of overprescribing.

Psychopharmacology

“Chemically Imbalanced”

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on June 29, 2020

A leading sociologist examines how Americans think about medication and everyday suffering.

A leading sociologist examines how Americans think about medication and everyday suffering.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Outcome Switching and Withheld Data in COVID-19 Research

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on May 19, 2020

Concern mounts about misleading data.

Concern mounts about misleading data.

SSRIs

Antidepressants and Online Misinformation

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on April 13, 2020

A study of medical websites finds widespread misreporting.

A study of medical websites finds widespread misreporting.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

A Health Crisis and Herd Immunity

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on March 19, 2020

Lessons from Britain’s disastrous coronavirus response.

Lessons from Britain’s disastrous coronavirus response.

Psychiatry

The Push to Rethink Psychiatric Diagnosis

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on February 13, 2020

A major new initiative to change how we approach and treat mental distress.

A major new initiative to change how we approach and treat mental distress.

Health

The Disturbing Rise in Benzodiazepine Prescriptions

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on January 23, 2020

Are benzodiazepines helping to fuel the opioid crisis?

Are benzodiazepines helping to fuel the opioid crisis?

Ketamine

Esketamine and the Search for New Ways to Treat Depression

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

Re-analysis of FDA data raises questions about the drug’s safety and effectiveness.

Re-analysis of FDA data raises questions about the drug’s safety and effectiveness.

Ethics and Morality

The Truth About Medical PR

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on November 14, 2019

A textbook case on medical ethics.

A textbook case on medical ethics.

SSRIs

Antidepressants and Major Depressive Disorder

Christopher Lane Ph.D. on October 7, 2019

New studies show minimal improvement over placebo but continued risk of harm.

New studies show minimal improvement over placebo but continued risk of harm.