As soon as that can be done with schizophrenia, it will be a brain disease, exactly as neurosyphilis was recognized as a brain disease. Ah, that tree in the forest thing, again. The drugging our children argument merits special consideration in light of the spate of school shootings by teenagers, some who were on antidepressants at the time. Until fairly recently, it was assumed that kids did not suffer from depression, and many professionals still mistakenly believe that children are far too young to experience bipolar disorder. In children and adolescents, depression can manifest itself as rage and other frightening behaviors.
Many bipolar children are simply unmanageable.
Peter Breggin, of course, has been an instrumental voice in attacking psychiatric and drug company abuses, but in performing a very valuable public service he and his fellow-travelers demean who we are and what we have to struggle against. I would never ask that my illness be removed from me. Most of what is the best in me, my emotional strength, my compassion, my wisdom, and my sensitivity, I learned through this illness. It goes without saying that the person who wrote that had to endure the torment of the damned before reaching this present state of acceptance. You and I would know right off where this individual is coming from.