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When is it okay to knock a blockbuster drug and say that the basis for it was a lie? As demonstrated by Dr. Oz’s pandering, it’s when the drug goes off patent, causing profit depression. The fact is that SSRI antidepressants have always been based on a lie, but saying it is verboten until the profits dry up. Then, and only then, is it okay to tell the truth.

Sad Clown, by Juan Pablo González

by Nancy Rubenstein Del Giudice

When Dr. Oz announced on his popular mainstream television show, “Depression is not a disease”, that not only can SSRIs lead to disaster for many but that the serotonin theory of depression is fraud, the silence was thundering.

There were no reports on the news. Talk of John Stewart, yes, but not Dr. Oz. This is no joke.

No congressional sub-committee was convened to investigate for purposes of prosecution, no recalls were announced from the FDA … and the beat goes on.

Out popped the pills from manufacturing plants. The Italian coffee machine turns itself on as the alarm sings and the drug rep dresses for a full day of selling doctors on friendship.

At the television station, life goes on as usual. The show is what matters. People are thankful for the pharmaceutical sponsors who pay them well and treat them so finely.

My point is that Dr. Oz’s show was orchestrated. In my humble opinion.

Here is a list of 10 issues:

1. It has been known—well known to those who cared to find out—that the Serotonin Theory was debunked as far back as the 80s, and possibly earlier. Check out Robert Whitaker and Ann Blake Tracy on this.

2. No, Dr. Oz did not organize a small coup and fool the sponsors (who make the drugs) by deviously airing this important public announcement. It was scheduled and advertised, and the pharmaceutical companies paid for it.

3. Check out the timing. The patents have run out.

4. They have a new theory which probably refers to the new ketamine drugs; same old fraudulent science based on the false notion of pathology.

5. They have pictures! Oh goody, brain scans! They are so interesting that I don’t even care that there are no control groups. Wait a minute! This is not science! And … there is no science in the brain scan industry. Lots of pretty pictures of flickering brains, but let’s be real. Apply basic scientific method and you’ll find absolutely nothing. We just don’t know enough about the brain.

6. Is it possible that Dr. Oz has known for a long time that these drugs cause suicide, violence, depression, and mania? Well, put it this way; I hope he did. Because if he didn’t, and he is a practicing cardio-thoracic surgeon, if he doesn’t understand these drugs and their metabolic effects… then isn’t he a danger to his patients? One out of four or five of his patients are taking an SSRI. Cold turkey withdrawal from an SSRI can CAUSE a heart attack, so to suppose these drugs are not relevant to a heart surgeon simply doesn’t make sense.

7. If these drugs are so bad (and they are), what does this say about the branch of “medicine” that relies upon them; the psychiatric profession.

8. If depression is not a disease (though in some cases depression can be a symptom of a real disease), then aren’t doctors who tell their patients that it is a disease (in order to gain their compliance) culpable? They should be.

9. The most dangerous times for people taking antidepressants are either in the beginning (when many are told their adverse reaction is so called mental illness) or n withdrawal (see Beyond Meds, a highly informative site). Dr Oz’s show is likely to have caused at least a few people to cold turkey and maybe a couple of physicians to cut off prescriptions. That happened in Britain with benzodiazapenes and this continues to be a public health disaster. The show was irresponsible.

10. Where is the tipping point? Could this be an “ah ha” moment that politicizes people? The pharmaceutical companies don’t think so. They expect the American public to “baaah” along like the sheep we are. If you are not already an activist, it is time to become one, and welcome to the matrix.

I may not be Sue Grafton, but this is not the Land of Oz. This is America. So let me end with a quote from a great American to inspire us all in our quest for good health and freedom:

Genius is common sense in its work clothes –Ralph Waldo Emerson