01 Why and How to Withdraw from Psychiatric Drugs: The Intensive Course

A comprehensive course via virtual classroom with live and interactive conference calling with instructors including psychiatrist Pinar Miski and myself.

Intended for healthcare providers as well as anyone interested in an in-depth study of the harms of psychiatric drugs and how to withdraw from them.

Research does not support the idea that “chemical imbalances in the brain” are the cause of mental illness. The medical model for personal emotional suffering has no scientific basis. Yet today, 25% of Americans, including millions of children, are taking psychiatric drugs for conditions ranging from ADHD to schizophrenia.

Research shows that psychiatric drugs are not effective, even in the short-term. Instead, the drugs have significant side effects that are often disabling and sometimes life-threatening. Worse yet, studies show increasing harms longer-term with no demonstrable positive effects, while the neurotoxicity of the drugs blinds people to how poorly they are doing.

Furthermore, the drugs do not address the underlying causes of the individual’s suffering and impairment such as childhood or adult losses and trauma, emotional conflicts in the family, poor self-discipline, difficulties focusing and persisting, real life crises, and self-defeating attitudes.

The majority of today’s practicing psychiatrists are trained to prescribe drugs, and not to provide therapy. Some psychiatrists are interested in assisting patients with medication withdrawal, and returning to a practice model that centers on empathic therapy. Others, however, are hostile to the idea, which means that in order to help the tens of millions of people currently taking drugs and who need help in regaining their physical and mental health, family practice and other general practice health providers, along with psychologists and other types of therapists will need to be trained to assist. While many of these health professionals have maintained for many years that psychiatric drugs were more harmful than helpful, few are trained specifically in what to expect when patients begin the withdrawal process, how to differentiate between medication withdrawal symptoms and underlying psychological issues, and how to effectively engage families and friends to help those affected.

This unique program was developed by Wellness Forum Institute and psychiatrist Peter Breggin, M.D., a leading promoter of empathic therapy and a pioneering researcher in the toxic effects of psychiatric drugs and how to withdraw from them. Participants will learn guidelines for prescribers, therapists, patients and their families involved in psychiatric drug withdrawal, with emphasis on a collaborative effort that is empowering to the patient and family..

This course is offered via virtual classroom (live and interactive conference call).