Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Psychotropic Drugs - There is no money in "normal"

The Marketing of Madness - Are we all Insane?


  


"If you, a loved one, or anyone you know is taking drugs recommended by an MD or Psychiatrist for Anxiety, Depression, Bi-Polar, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive, Schizophrenia etc... then this film is an absolute must watch." - James Colquhoun - Producer Director, 'Food Matters'

The use and abuse of prescription drugs has entered our living rooms more than ever, this past year.  With celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Demi Moore and most recently, Whitney Houston we have become vividly aware of the dramatic and often tragic consequences these drugs can lead to. 

We all know that medications can save and even extend people's lives. However, all drugs create biological changes in the body and most people don't think much about this fact before they begin taking medications.  Everyone wants a quick fix but are they really aware of the dangerous side effects?  What is really sad is that there is a strong partnership between the doctors and the pharmaceutical companies that has created an $80 billion psychotropic drug profit center.  

I purchased this DVD from the website www.foodmatters.tv


Below are some notes from this incredibly informative documentary.

Did you know that each of these 5 main "classes" of psychotropics has side effects of its own?

Anti-psychotics (such as Thorazine) - powerful chemicals originally designed to shut down the central nervous systems of mental hospital inmates.  Now they are used on people with serious mental problems causing feelings of helplessness, deterioration of the mind, dementia, trembling and twitching to name a few.

Anti-Anxiety Drugs (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.) - prescribed for nervousness, anxiety & panic disorders.  Side effects cause foggy thinking, weight gain, fatigue, hallucination, increased aggression, diabetes and one symptom after another...

Stimulant Drugs (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta, etc.) - mainly used for people with so-called "attention problems" ADHD.  These are very addictive and can result in stunted growth, weight loss, manic behavior, heart palpitations, neurological tics, cardia arrhythmia, 
gross brain shrinkage and malfunction, anxiety, insomnia and even sudden death.

Ritalin is a stimulant commonly prescribed to children and acts on the body in a very similar way to cocaine - but it is far more potent!

Antidepressants (Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Pristiq, etc) - These drugs are used to treat depression and mood disorders.  The side effects are blurred vision, dry mouth, low blood pressure, internal bleeding, weight gain, seizures, impaired psychosis, sexual dysfunction...

One study found that Paxil, which is the leading anti-depressant, increases the risk of breast cancer in women by seven times.  

Riskiest of all is the drugging of pregnant and postnatal women with antidepressants for depression.  The baby is affected as well as the mother. 


Below are the top 3 Bestselling antidepressant drugs called SSRI's and the number of possible side effects associated with them -  Prozac (1,817), Zoloft (2,194) and Paxil (2,497).  What is interesting is of the exact same symptoms these drugs claim to address they cause depression, suicidal tendencies, etc.

Atypical-Antipsychotics the newest classes of psychotropic drugs (Zyprexa, Abilify, Risperdal, etc.) - These are mood stabilizers for adults and kids with bipolar disorder.  Side effects include severe weight gain, diabetes, coronary heart disease, pancreatitis, delirium, etc.

The new antipsychotics were originally approved to only treat schizophrenia in adults, however, over a 7 year period prescriptions for children jumped 5-fold (2.5 million prescriptions).

When side effects surface, the psychiatrist will prescribe yet another drug.  This is called polypharmacy - adding additional drugs to contrast the side effects of the previous drugs.  It is not uncommon to see people on up to 9 psychotropic drugs but there is not a shred of evidence that that these drugs can be used safely and effectively in combination.   

Sometimes this combination may create an intense inner agitation and restlessness known as "akathisia".    This causes people to become a little nuts or a little off balance.  They will do things they would never have done before.  Things that are out of character.  Some hear voices telling them that the only way to stop the pain is to kill themselves.  It is estimated that 10-255 of SSRI's antidepressant users (close to 7 million people in the U.S.) experience "akathisia". 

Psychiatry's Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders even admits the connection between psychotropic drugs, "akathisia" and suicide.  There are statistics to back this up and yet we are told by psychiatrists and the drug companies that these drugs actually prevent suicide.  What can we believe?



I am sure you know of someone, or maybe even you, that is taking a psychotropic drug.  This information maybe something to consider.


  


 

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Lost Your Energy and Want it Back? Read on...


Time for a shot of "Vivix"!



Here is the February issue of  Making a Difference!. Just look at what you'll find this month:

“I used to have it! Where did it go?”
Have you ever set a goal to improve yourself both physically and mentally... only to find that you have slumped in a valley of fatigue?

You've lost it! You've lost your energy!

So...what causes fatigue? And more importantly, how can we banish it forever and regain the energy we used to have? 

Also... Symptoms of fatigue... 
Fatigue... What causes it? What you can do about it!
Fatigue is the most frequent reason people seek medical help. Around 20% of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with their efforts to live a normal life.
 
Are you tired just because you're getting older? Most holistic health practitioners don't think so. Most chronic exhaustion is caused by...

Find out the nine major reasons for fatigue and how you can combat them.

Plus...Where are you on the energy scale?

I have been taking Shaklee's Energizing Soy Protein and the Vita-Lea multivitamins for over 35 years.  These are my MOST FAVORITE SHAKLEE PRODUCTS.  They have given me much needed energy throughout the various stages in my life.  These products gave me the extra nutritional edge when I was an active teenager participating in sports, throughout three pregnancies, as an active mother and now as I enter the mid-point in my life.  I wouldn't start my day without them.  


Energy & Vivix... 
A new study on resveratrol, just published in Cell Metabolism, demonstrates that Vivix can have a major impact on your energy level. Dr. Jamie McManus reports...

Find out more about fatigue, energy and how Shaklee can help on this page...

As well as... Wow! Amazing new resveratrol study results...
Also featuring… 
Can hand-washing dishes harm your health?
The toxins found in everyday household cleaners, such as dish soap, can be harmful to your health. These chemical toxins can cause a plethora of health complications...

So...why worry about the simple chore of hand-washing your dishes? Find out if your dish liquid is harming your health in this article...

To read about these important subjects in this edition of Making a Difference!, click here


Once you've read these articles, its easy to order the featured products! Just visit www.pamtonymcdonald.myshaklee.com.

To learn more about...
- health, nutrition and fitness
- cleaning products that are safe for you and for our planet
- how you can work part-time for a full-time income... from the comfort of your home

...just email me at
tpmcdaaa@comcast.net and start receiving our FREE NEWSLETTERS & REPORTS.

P.S. If you know anyone who would benefit by receiving Making a Difference! Newsletters, please forward their first name and email address to tpmcdaaa@comcast.net and I will make sure they get their FREE COPY each month. 

Monday, February 6, 2012

Ouch, My Aching Feet!

Before you spend your money on orthotics or surgery,  you might want to check other alternatives.




Last week, when I was at the health club, I mentioned to a friend that I was starting to have some foot problems and that I probably needed to get another pair of orthotics.  I have been putting this off for some time because I really wasn't keen on spending another $400-500.  My friend recommended that I go to Schuler Shoes and have a free foot evaluation by an in-house pedorthist.  


What the heck is a pedorthist, you ask?  I wondered the same thing and learned that a pedorthist is a health care professional  who specializes in the use of footware and supportive devices to address various feet conditions.  


So, off I went to Schuler Shoes for an evaluation...
On a side note, I have had a history of foot problems which have resulted in three separate foot surgeries for bone spurs and neuromas.  So as you can imagine, I take my feet very seriously.


The pedorthist, recommended Ultra Arch ProThotic Insoles which cost $48.95.  He said that many people have been able to use these insoles instead of buying expensive orthotics.  He also recommended that I get some Haflinger shoes to wear around the house instead of my Ugg slippers.  Evidently, the Haflinger shoes have a built in arch support and still are comfortable.  This is not a cheap shoe, however, the cost is about $105.   


Not as cute as my "high heels" but very comfy!






So I went home with new insoles, a pair of Haflingers, a FootRubz ball and sheet of exercises for my feet.  


FYI, all Schuler Shoe stores in Minnesota have a certified/licensed pedorthist in-house once a week and offer free foot screenings.  Another tip is to get on their email list so you get their regular coupons.  


I still love my "high-heels" but I figure if I continue to take care of my feet, I will be wearing my "heels" for many more years.