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DEPRESSION DELUSION, Volume One: The Myth of the Brain Chemical Imbalance
Brain chemical imbalances have been widely promoted as existing in depression for the past 50 years. In this book, Terry Lynch reveals some shocking truths. Chemical imbalances have never been found to exist in depression. The story of the rise of this falsehood is presented, a falsehood that is more prevalent in modern times then the flat earth delusion was in the past. This falsehood meets psychiatry's own criteria for a delusion. Adhering to principles of logic and science, Terry Lynch illustrates the absurdity of this widely held belief. He includes many references of doctors, other mental health professionals, the media and influential individuals espousing this falsehood as a known fact. He also included statements made by prominent doctors, scientists, psychologists and others over the past fifty years, expressing great concern that this falsehood has been widely misrepresented as if it were a fact, not least by members of the medical profession. The book addresses why drug companies are withdrawing from psychiatric research, who are the big winners and losers, and whether doctors have sufficient knowledge to justify their standing as THE foremost mental health experts. The author describes the major adverse consequences of the depression brain chemical imbalance delusion, and why this and other related mental health delusions must be removed from the mental health landscape, in the public interest. The author presents a better way of understanding and responding to depression, based on what is actually there, rather than on fanciful notions of brain chemical notions that have never been demonstrated to exist. "
- GenresPsychologyMental Health
388 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2015
14 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Terry Lynch
6 books10 followersTerry Lynch is a mental health author, mental health activist, physician and psychotherapist. He lives in Ireland, is married to Marianne and has 3 children, one hilarious dog (Diego) and one real scaredy-cat (Holly).
Born in New York in 1957, at the age of 4 he and his four siblings came from America to Ireland where they lived with their grandmother, a marvellous woman, Elizabeth (“Tessie”) Daly. His parents remained in New York, visiting their children once a year for about two weeks. His mother and father therefore felt more like a visiting aunt and uncle than parents, which felt quite strange.
His childhood was reasonably happy. However he missed his parents greatly, a situation that affected him considerably. In his teens he experienced much anxiety and unhappiness. His experiences have helped him understand people’s heartache and distress. They created a determination within him to do everything he can to progress how emotional and psychological distress including psychiatric diagnoses are understood and responded to internationally.
Terry Lynch qualified as a medical doctor in 1982. He trained to become a general practitioner (family physician), and worked in this capacity until 1999. Having become increasingly concerned about the lack of consideration of the mind and emotions in health in general but especially in mental health, he re-trained as a psychotherapist. Since 2000 he has provided a recovery-oriented mental health service in Limerick, Ireland, attended by people from all over Ireland and beyond. The majority of the people who attend him have a psychiatric diagnosis such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. Many of the people attending him feel suicidal.
Terry Lynch has been described by psychiatrists Professor Ivor Browne as “enlightened” and Pat Bracken as “a true scientist”. Between 2003 and 2012, he served on several Irish Department of Health-appointed national mental health groups. He was a member of the Expert Group on mental Health Policy (2003-6), which formulated A Vision for Change (2006), Ireland’s official mental health policy document. He was subsequently appointed to the group charged by the Irish government to oversee the implementation of this policy, the Implementation Group for A Vision for Change (2006-9).
He was re-appointed to the Second Implementation Group for a Vision for Change (2009-12). He is the only health professional to have served on all three of these national groups. He was also appointed to the Irish Health Service Executive’s Expert Advisory Group (2006-8), appointed by Professor Brendan Drumm. Terry Lynch resigned from this group in 2008, because the group was making no real progress. This group was officially disbanded later in 2008.
His latest (third) book is Depression Delusion Volume One: The Myth of the Brain Chemical Imbalance, publication date 02nd September 2015. He is also the author of Selfhood: A Key to the recovery of Emotional Wellbeing, Mental health and the Prevention of Mental health Problems and Beyond Prozac: Healing Mental Distress, a best-seller in Ireland in 2001, shortlisted for the 2002 MIND (UK) Book of the Year Award.
Many more books in the pipeline. Expect twelve-fifteen more books on emotional and mental health (including each of the main psychiatric diagnostic categories and suicide) from Terry over the next ten years. Subscribe to his updates and receive free chapters at http://www.doctorterrylynch.com, email info@doctorterrylynch.com. Subscribe to updates at http://www.doctorterrylynch.com.
Terry Lynch been an invited speaker at many mental health meetings including the Samaritans (Ireland) Annual Conference (2015, keynote speaker); Mental Health and Happiness Summit (international, 2014, William Glasser Institute) Listowel Writers Week (2012), Athlone Literary Festival (2013), Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Annual Con
Born in New York in 1957, at the age of 4 he and his four siblings came from America to Ireland where they lived with their grandmother, a marvellous woman, Elizabeth (“Tessie”) Daly. His parents remained in New York, visiting their children once a year for about two weeks. His mother and father therefore felt more like a visiting aunt and uncle than parents, which felt quite strange.
His childhood was reasonably happy. However he missed his parents greatly, a situation that affected him considerably. In his teens he experienced much anxiety and unhappiness. His experiences have helped him understand people’s heartache and distress. They created a determination within him to do everything he can to progress how emotional and psychological distress including psychiatric diagnoses are understood and responded to internationally.
Terry Lynch qualified as a medical doctor in 1982. He trained to become a general practitioner (family physician), and worked in this capacity until 1999. Having become increasingly concerned about the lack of consideration of the mind and emotions in health in general but especially in mental health, he re-trained as a psychotherapist. Since 2000 he has provided a recovery-oriented mental health service in Limerick, Ireland, attended by people from all over Ireland and beyond. The majority of the people who attend him have a psychiatric diagnosis such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. Many of the people attending him feel suicidal.
Terry Lynch has been described by psychiatrists Professor Ivor Browne as “enlightened” and Pat Bracken as “a true scientist”. Between 2003 and 2012, he served on several Irish Department of Health-appointed national mental health groups. He was a member of the Expert Group on mental Health Policy (2003-6), which formulated A Vision for Change (2006), Ireland’s official mental health policy document. He was subsequently appointed to the group charged by the Irish government to oversee the implementation of this policy, the Implementation Group for A Vision for Change (2006-9).
He was re-appointed to the Second Implementation Group for a Vision for Change (2009-12). He is the only health professional to have served on all three of these national groups. He was also appointed to the Irish Health Service Executive’s Expert Advisory Group (2006-8), appointed by Professor Brendan Drumm. Terry Lynch resigned from this group in 2008, because the group was making no real progress. This group was officially disbanded later in 2008.
His latest (third) book is Depression Delusion Volume One: The Myth of the Brain Chemical Imbalance, publication date 02nd September 2015. He is also the author of Selfhood: A Key to the recovery of Emotional Wellbeing, Mental health and the Prevention of Mental health Problems and Beyond Prozac: Healing Mental Distress, a best-seller in Ireland in 2001, shortlisted for the 2002 MIND (UK) Book of the Year Award.
Many more books in the pipeline. Expect twelve-fifteen more books on emotional and mental health (including each of the main psychiatric diagnostic categories and suicide) from Terry over the next ten years. Subscribe to his updates and receive free chapters at http://www.doctorterrylynch.com, email info@doctorterrylynch.com. Subscribe to updates at http://www.doctorterrylynch.com.
Terry Lynch been an invited speaker at many mental health meetings including the Samaritans (Ireland) Annual Conference (2015, keynote speaker); Mental Health and Happiness Summit (international, 2014, William Glasser Institute) Listowel Writers Week (2012), Athlone Literary Festival (2013), Critical Perspectives in Mental Health Annual Con
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 13, 2015
Our brain is "vastly complex and poorly understood". At the same time millions of people around the world have been prescribed anti-depressants to fix a 'chemical imbalance', mainly for depression and anxiety but also for other conditions.
Because this has become part of popular culture in the Western world, it has been accepted as fact. This book is very thorough and goes into great depth in highlighting that there is NO scientific basis behind this. Misinformation has spread virally through various channels on a mass scale. Even some medical textbooks used by trainee doctors are not immune to the inaccurate falsehood.
The author highlights that is not possible to measure neurotransmitter levels in the brain of a live person. Information sources e.g. brochures, sponsored by drug companies, make unscientific and unproven claims that anti-depressants rebalance brain neurotransmitter levels. "Regulatory bodies have failed to protect the public from false information from drug companies". There are many examples in this book.
Potential adverse effects are not highlighted enough to ensure the person has informed consent. I learned that the hard way 7 years ago. I was prescribed Citalopram for anxiety / panic. I trusted that the medications prescribed by doctors were safe. For a while these drugs did seem to help, not forgetting the placebo effect. But 3 years on I went into mania / psychosis and was hospitalized. I was then put on a cocktail of other drugs.
Over the past number of years, as part of my ongoing Recovery journey, I have connected to other Psychiatric survivors. A big part of the last 7 years, which should have been about healing and growth, turned out to be dealing with the trauma caused by this flawed biomedical approach to mental health. The only one that truly helped me in the system was the Occupational therapist. My life as I knew it had ended, including my career but also my trust in others. The whole experience with Psychiatry was very disempowering. After hospitalization my self-confidence had been reduced to zero.
My anxiety had been turned into symptoms of Manic Depression / Bipolar after I had taken the “anti-depressant”. For a number of years I was drifting and going nowhere. The many drugs I was subsequently put on made me feel dreadful. I did not want to face each day and spent a lot of time in bed due to the sedating nature of the drugs. I had a very poor Quality of Life. Doctors were oblivious to the drug's iatrogenic effects.
The author highlights that Psychopharmcology has replaced Psychotherapy in the field of Psychiatry. Most modern Psychiatrists mainly prescribe drugs. Some older Psychiatrists are trained therapists e.g. Prof Ivor Browne.
When you have 69 % of the DSM-5 taskforce with financial links to the pharmaceutical industry this leads to vast amounts of over diagnosis and over prescribed drugs. These drugs can delay recovery and cause disability leading to a huge burden on the economy. This burden could be reduced with more ethical prescribing and more honesty about the drugs.
The author points out that if someone is prescribed anti-depressants but hasn't been given the opportunity to explore the underlying causes of their emotional distress, they miss out on the potential for growth and true recovery. While physical causes of low mood may need to be investigated, there is a lot to be gained from exploring the emotional and historical causes of distress in a person's life. "A person should be enabled to reach a point of inner peace, self-empowerment and contentment".
"Many people do not have sufficient supports to embark successfully on the process involved in Recovery". Lack of support can inhibit and delay the healing journey. As does a misinformed family, community and public.
Anti-depressants can lead to mania, psychosis, suicide, violence and even homicide in some people.If a woman is pregnant and on anti-depressants, the drug can harm the baby. I look forward to these areas been covered in future books by the author.
Stopping these drugs needs to be carefully and safely managed. Some prescribers need more up to date information on correct withdrawal methods. Supporters and family need truthful information and advice about the withdrawal process.
"Medical knowledge should be open to public scrutiny". On my own journey I was lucky to have such honest and dedicated medical professionals and Psychologists to refer to, including Dr Terry Lynch. Experienced experts who do not have conflicts of interest but who want the best possible outcomes for people in distress.
Because this has become part of popular culture in the Western world, it has been accepted as fact. This book is very thorough and goes into great depth in highlighting that there is NO scientific basis behind this. Misinformation has spread virally through various channels on a mass scale. Even some medical textbooks used by trainee doctors are not immune to the inaccurate falsehood.
The author highlights that is not possible to measure neurotransmitter levels in the brain of a live person. Information sources e.g. brochures, sponsored by drug companies, make unscientific and unproven claims that anti-depressants rebalance brain neurotransmitter levels. "Regulatory bodies have failed to protect the public from false information from drug companies". There are many examples in this book.
Potential adverse effects are not highlighted enough to ensure the person has informed consent. I learned that the hard way 7 years ago. I was prescribed Citalopram for anxiety / panic. I trusted that the medications prescribed by doctors were safe. For a while these drugs did seem to help, not forgetting the placebo effect. But 3 years on I went into mania / psychosis and was hospitalized. I was then put on a cocktail of other drugs.
Over the past number of years, as part of my ongoing Recovery journey, I have connected to other Psychiatric survivors. A big part of the last 7 years, which should have been about healing and growth, turned out to be dealing with the trauma caused by this flawed biomedical approach to mental health. The only one that truly helped me in the system was the Occupational therapist. My life as I knew it had ended, including my career but also my trust in others. The whole experience with Psychiatry was very disempowering. After hospitalization my self-confidence had been reduced to zero.
My anxiety had been turned into symptoms of Manic Depression / Bipolar after I had taken the “anti-depressant”. For a number of years I was drifting and going nowhere. The many drugs I was subsequently put on made me feel dreadful. I did not want to face each day and spent a lot of time in bed due to the sedating nature of the drugs. I had a very poor Quality of Life. Doctors were oblivious to the drug's iatrogenic effects.
The author highlights that Psychopharmcology has replaced Psychotherapy in the field of Psychiatry. Most modern Psychiatrists mainly prescribe drugs. Some older Psychiatrists are trained therapists e.g. Prof Ivor Browne.
When you have 69 % of the DSM-5 taskforce with financial links to the pharmaceutical industry this leads to vast amounts of over diagnosis and over prescribed drugs. These drugs can delay recovery and cause disability leading to a huge burden on the economy. This burden could be reduced with more ethical prescribing and more honesty about the drugs.
The author points out that if someone is prescribed anti-depressants but hasn't been given the opportunity to explore the underlying causes of their emotional distress, they miss out on the potential for growth and true recovery. While physical causes of low mood may need to be investigated, there is a lot to be gained from exploring the emotional and historical causes of distress in a person's life. "A person should be enabled to reach a point of inner peace, self-empowerment and contentment".
"Many people do not have sufficient supports to embark successfully on the process involved in Recovery". Lack of support can inhibit and delay the healing journey. As does a misinformed family, community and public.
Anti-depressants can lead to mania, psychosis, suicide, violence and even homicide in some people.If a woman is pregnant and on anti-depressants, the drug can harm the baby. I look forward to these areas been covered in future books by the author.
Stopping these drugs needs to be carefully and safely managed. Some prescribers need more up to date information on correct withdrawal methods. Supporters and family need truthful information and advice about the withdrawal process.
"Medical knowledge should be open to public scrutiny". On my own journey I was lucky to have such honest and dedicated medical professionals and Psychologists to refer to, including Dr Terry Lynch. Experienced experts who do not have conflicts of interest but who want the best possible outcomes for people in distress.
Displaying 1 of 1 review