We're doomed

Interesting article about the "epidemic" of mental illness in the U.S. Apparently, they think it's caused by the very meds used to treat us. Here, you read:

Prozac and other SSRI antidepressants block the reuptake of serotonin . In order to cope with this hindrance of normal function, the brain tones down its whole serotonergic system . Neurons both release less serotonin and down-regulate (or decrease) their number of serotonin receptors . The density of serotonin receptors in the brain may decrease by 50% or more . As part of this adaptation process, Hyman noted, there are also changes in intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression . After a few weeks, Hyman concluded, the patient's brain is functioning in a manner that is "qualitatively as well as quantitatively different from the normal state" (Hyman & Nestler, 1996, p . 161).

In short, psychiatric drugs induce a pathology.

Basically, the drugs tell your brain to quit with the serotonin production. I always wondered what exactly they were doing up there. It sounds like a not so hot thing, and my theory that once you take drugs you can't stop seems to go along with this article. Once your brain makes an adaptation like that, it relies on the drug. So if you go off drugs, like I did, you're screwed.