July 25, 2008

Misguided Psychiatry

Saying "the unstated assumption that depression is a serious but
treatable medical condition" is the most telling phrase in the story.
(Adam Reilly, "Head Case," Boston Phoenix, July 25, 2008, Page 14,
News) Depression and all human emotions have become mental illnesses.
The "advocates" quoted are identified as members of NAMI, a front
organization that gets $2-3 million each year from drug companies to
promote (advocate for) treatment. The only reference to rights of
persons with disabilities is the quaint idea (Ahem!) that Marzilli
"deserves some degree of privacy."
There's no statement that Dr. Roy Perlis revealed Marzilli's medical
records (diagnosis). But if he did it was a violation of federal HIPAA
laws.
Skepticism regarding psychiatry is needed. No Boston journalist has
the wisdom or courage to scrutinize psychiatry.
Is mental illness a cause of "socially aberrant behavior?" Why are
persons with a history of mental illness treated differently from
other criminal defendants?
Logic, a method of determining truth, is seldom applied to psychiatry.
Reilly says Wendy Murphy is not a psychiatrist but her words are
logical. Psychiatry is not.
Three groups can answer the question of mental illness as a cause of
crime. (1) The group of people accused of mental illness. (2) The
group with no mental illness label. (3) The group who commit crimes.
The third group is made up of part of both of the other groups. If
mental illness caused crime it would always cause crime. Psychiatry is
arbitrary, not scientific. It is personal opinion masquerading as
science.
Wealthy persons use psychiatry and disability discrimination laws to
mitigate criminal liability.
This article shows the lack of awareness of those laws. The alleged
advocates from NAMI do not cite the ADA or other disability laws,
because they advocate for treatment not for people.
Reilly asks, "How responsible should we hold them for what they say
and do?" Huh? State policy is in M.G.L. Chapter 123, and the way that
police are trained by the MA Criminal Justice Training Council.
Persons accused of mental illness are regarded as dangerous by state
policy in violation of the state and US discrimination laws.
The Cambridge Health Alliance boasts that they deliver mental health
care coordinated with the Cambridge Police. Do they do that to protect
patients from the dangerous doctors? Do they coordinate treatment of
rashes and broken legs with the police too? Ahem!


http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/65333-Head-case/

Roy Bercaw - Editor ENOUGH ROOM

No comments: