I completely agree. As stated in my blog: “Always thought John Travolta was an intelligent actor, kind to others and understanding the less well todo, alas. ” Or do they do this just to get some attention of the media?
http://ectweb.blogspot.com/2007/06/travolta-echoes-cruise-on-psychiatry.html

I am not a Scientologist. As far as I can tell, Scientology is an evil cult (just Google the term “lisa mcpherson” to see what I mean).

That having been said, I think that John Travolta is right (but for the wrong reasons). There are legitimate, scientific reasons why we should be very skeptical of psychiatric drugs. See, for example, the following excellent summary:

http://www.thestreetspirit.org/August2005/interview.htm

See also:

http://psychrights.org/Articles/EHPPPsychDrugEpidemic(Whitaker).pdf

No doubt there are strong opinions on each side of this argument. However, I work with several patients who would be unable to function in the community without their medications. And, for me the goal of therapy; meds, talk, or a combination; is to allow the patient a better quality of life, and to offer them a chance to enjoy what others sometimes take for granted. That being said; I wish actors / celebrities would just act, and then keep their comments / opinions to themselves.

I’ve been on the receiving end of both good and bad medication-based treatment. In my opinion, there is a right way and a wrong way to implement a medication regimen. The right way, I think, should involve a rigorous and valid assessment and diagnostic procedure (ideally involving multiple raters), and carefully supervised application of medication - with consideration given to patient feedback about negative side-effects and vigilance concerning the possibility of a bad reaction.

I also believe that rather than being a front-line treatment for any psychological ailment, medication should only be used if there is imminent danger to the person otherwise, or if all other available options (like CBT) have been exhausted.

In Canada, medication-based treatment is implemented so poorly, it is little wonder it is receiving bad press. Psychologists and talk therapies like CBT and IPT are not covered by our universal MSP; only psychiatrists and their medications are. Therefore, only the wealthy can access the behaviorally-oriented therapies that actually assist in improving coping skills and life conditions. Basic mental health treatment in Canada typically involves throwing the patient a prescription based on whatever medication is “in vogue” or the doctor’s current favorite, and then the follow up appointment is typically scheduled three months in the future.

Three months may as well be forever for some patients.

All that being said, Dr. Grohol is right. Nobody should be listening to a word Travolta says. He’s a fool spouting dangerous and inane doctrines from a cult devised by a science fiction writer to make money. And if he really needs help, but is turning to Scientology instead of science, I just feel sorry for him.

And why would people think that they should listen to a singer (is it Kelly Clarkson?) talking about acne treatment?

The public does, that is the point. It is an advertising tactic (appeal to authority) that is used both in the attempt to promote a positive view of medication and in the attempt to promote a negative view of medication. It isn’t restricted to psychiatric medications it happens with other varieties of medications as well along with haircare products and exercise machines and diets and so on and so forth…

The public supports the practice by watching the TV programs and reading the articles that give these people air time. As long as the public supports the practice the practice will continue.

We like to think that the scientific evidence provides a much clearer picture than the picture painted by rival celebrities. Unfortunately, this isn’t really the case, however. For every study there are probably at least five critiques of the study drawing attention to methodological flaws, alternative hypotheses that have not been ruled out, dodgey statistical manipulations etc etc etc. Discussions of the scientific literature often seem about as degenerative as what the celebrities have to say about the issue.

> I work with several patients who would be unable to function in the community without their medications.

Actually, what people have to say about medications is often unreliable. For example, after a drink there are an awful lot of people in the world who will swear that the alcohol has not negatively affected their cognitive abilities or their reaction times or their motor co-ordination. Psychological testing shows them to be mistaken, however. Similarly with medications like benzo’s. People might well swear that the medication has not negatively affected their cognitive abilities or their reaction times or their motor co-ordination. Psychological testing shows them to be mistaken, however.

People who use a lot of alchohol often say that they could give up drinking and not suffer any negative consequences. Seizures and tremors speak otherwise, however. People who take psychiatric medications (like benzo’s) often say that they could give up benzos and not suffer any negative consequences. Rebound effects (an increase in the severity of the symptoms that led them to take the medication along with other nasty effects such as flu-like symptoms) speak otherwise, however.

With respect to how well these people will be able to function without medications that is an empirical matter. It is not likely to be one that anybody will try with them (indeed it is not likely to be one that they will be willing to try themselves) if everybody thinks that they couldn’t function without medications.

When people stop taking psychoactive medications they typically suffer through a rebound effect for a period of time. That rebound effect is likely to include more severe varients on the symptoms that initially led them to take the medication along with flu-like symptoms. People often conclude at this point that the person cannot function without meds and so they resume meds. If one persists without meds, however, then (it is often claimed) the rebound effect lessens and then… After some time… We are able to assess how well someone can function without medications when they aren’t plagued by rebound effects (withdrawal from the medication).

Of course they need to be looked after in a safe setting while all this is assessed. There tends to be a general unwillingness to do this, however. I’ve heard it said that ‘if you don’t take your medication then we can’t help someone who won’t help themself’. All this in the face of the WHO study that showed that people who had LESS access to medications actually had BETTER outcomes.

I have suffered with major depression for years. I have had endless meds, treatments,and therapist. After all these years I finally found the correct meds and the correct treatment for me. I am outraged that people have the gaul to say what works or won’t work. How do they know? Have they gone through it? Has John Travolta dealt with crippling depression? I think not. If you go through this ordeal then by all means, tell me your opinion. I will gladly listen to you. All the others, SHUT UP!You simple don’t know what you are talking about.

I’ve been a compassionate psychotherapist in Spokane, Washington for 24 years. I’ve helped thousands of people overcome anxiety and depression, and I have very rarely needed to use anti-depressants.

We don’t know the long-term effects of anti-depressants, but we do know that they are a multi-billion dollar industry. Most of the research studies done that promote anti-depressants were paid for and promoted by drug companies who are pocketing billions of dollars from their sales.

When clients are supported through emotional healing to find their true selves, they rarely need anti-depressants. Emotional healing is a phenomena that occurs naturally when a client feels safe to be who they really are and safe to express their true feelings and needs.

Although the emotional healing journey can be challenging, it is so incredibly fulfilling to be who you really are in the world and let your true spirit shine. It’s very difficult to do that when you are numb from the many side effects of anti-depressants.

Excellent post.

Like other posters, I find it hard to understand why a brainwashed celebrity (albeit a rather talented one) should be considered to have expertise in treatment of mental illness, when he has
(a) no personal experience of mental illness
(b) no medical, psychological, scientific or other training