#155

Robert Whitaker, the author and journalist discusses the controversial link between antidepressants and suicide risk. He shares a personal story about a friend who attempted suicide after being prescribed antidepressants and explains that there is evidence dating back 30 years showing that SSRI antidepressants can induce suicide in some people. Whitaker also criticizes the pharmaceutical industry for downplaying the risks and allowing these drugs to be marketed without clear warnings. The discussion then shifts to the rise of contract research organizations (CROs) in the mid-1990s and how they corrupted clinical trials, particularly in psychiatry. Whitaker argues that instead of improving mental health, we often diagnose and medicate people, such as children with ADHD, and criticizes the blind obedience to this status quo. He also discusses the importance of understanding risks and benefits in a capitalistic environment and advocates for strict regulation and oversight of corporations. Whitaker encourages individuals to become informed consumers and do their own research, and his organization, Madden America, aims to help people make informed decisions about psychiatric treatments.

Key Moments:

1. 00:00:00 Intro
2. 00:05:00 antidepressants and suicide risk
3. 00:10:00 corrupted clinical trials
4. 00:15:00 lobotomies
5. 00:20:00 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
6. 00:25:00 cultural trust in the medical community
7. 00:30:00 Statins
8. 00:35:00 the role of capitalism in exacerbating mental health issues
9. 00:40:00 asbestos and Teflon