| June 12, 2010 In This Issue Some SSRIs Raise Risk of Cataracts Use of Marijuana and Symptoms of Psychosis Strongly Linked Guest Article by Michael A. Shaw, MD: The Correlation Between Antidepressants and Sexual Desire Empathic Therapy Center empathic therapy.org Postal Mailing Address: Empathic Therapy Center c/o Peter R. Breggin, MD 101 East STate St. #112 Ithaca, NY 14850 607 272-5328 |
Dear Reader, Summer is almost upon us here in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Peter and I are really looking forward to sharing this beautiful region of the country with all of you when you come to our April, 8-9 2011 conference in Syracuse, NY. If you are able, plan to stay an extra couple of days in order to explore the area. We'll try to offer some suggestions about what to do in the region as the conference approaches. Meanwhile, our newsletter this month contains some important information: First, a new study links some SSRI antidepressants with the development of cataracts in older persons. In other news, a 10 year study shows that marijuana use increases the risk of psychosis and that psychosis encourages marijuana use in persons diagnosed with schizophrenia. Finally, we have an original guest article by Ob/Gyn Michael Shaw, MD on the correlation between SSRI antidepressants and sexual desire, an issue too frequently ignored but which can be devasating for patients. Very best, Ginger Breggin, Editor Seniors who take SSRI antidepressants may be more likely to develop null, says the first major study to examine this interaction. The risk appears to increase by about 15 percent, which in the United States would translate to 22,000 cataract cases attributable to antidepressant use. The study, led by Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Canada, assessed data for nearly 19,000 people age 65 or older, all of whom also had cardiovascular disease. Their records were compared to about 190,000 controls. The effect was strongest for three SSRIs: Luvox (fluvoxamine) increased risk by 39 percent, Effexor (venlafaxine) by 33 percent and Paxil (paroxetine) by 23 percent. The apparent increased risk was associated only with current, not past, drug use. Some antidepressants did not appear to be associated with cataract risk, but this could have been because the numbers of study participants using these drug types were too small to show effects, or because only specific agents in certain medications are related to cataract formation. These questions need further study. "The eye's lens has serotonin receptors, and animal studies have shown that excess serotonin can make the lens opaque and lead to cataract formation," Dr. Etminan said. "If our findings are confirmed in future studies, doctors and patients should consider cataract risk when prescribing some SSRIs for seniors," he added. End of quoted article. Here is the internet link to the press release http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20100601.cfm Use of Marijuana and Symptoms of Psychosis Show Strong Link by Ginger Breggin A newly released 10 year study of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia has shown that starting or increasing use of marijuana leads to increased delusions and hallucinations while stopping marijuana led to a decrease in those symptoms of psychosis. This result was found to exist even after controlling for all sorts of variables including use of antipsychotic medicine, socioeconomic status, gender, age, and other drug use. The study also confirmed earlier studies that showed that the risk of having a first psychotic episode doubled in any given year following marijuana use compared to the risk for nonusers of the same age. The other negative symptom that was heavily correlated with use of marijuana was "depression severity" at year two of use. Dr. Peter Breggin commented that the study confirms his clinical experience. Read Further - http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/45/10/21.full The Correlation Between Antidepressants and Sexual Desire by Michael A. Shaw, MD The disquieting correlation between antidepressant use and loss of sexual desire in females is poorly understood. It is important to delineate the pathways and mechanisms from antidepressant use to loss of sexual desire if we hope to find a solution the condition that has become known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). HSDD in females is most pronounced with antidepressants that work through increasing levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. These drugs, known as SSRI's are by far the most widely prescribed antidepressants, and include drugs such as; Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, and Effexor. Not all antidepressants decrease sexual desire. Welbutrin works through a different neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, and it is thought to marginally increase sexual desire in women. A new drug, flibanserin, works by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. It was first tested as an antidepressant, but failed initial evaluations. It is currently being evaluated by the FDA for use as a stimulant of sexual desire in females.
Given the correlation between SSRI's and HSDD, it would be natural to assume that the drugs directly decrease libido by interacting on the portion of the brain that controls sexual desire. If this were true, stopping the SSRI should lead to rapid return of sexual desire. The troubling fact that stopping SSRI medication will often not lead to the return of sexual desire brings into question the direct action of the drug on sexual desire. Perhaps the correlation is through another mechanism.
Loss of female sexual desire also strongly correlates with depression. Of course women who are depressed frequently take SSRI's. One might deduce that if SSRI's were effective in treating depression, sexual desire would increase. We now know that SSRI's are no better than placebo drugs in relieving the symptoms of depression. This fact leaves us with the possibility that the loss of sexual desire in females is due in part to inadequately treated depression.
Difficulties in a relationship are frequently the basis of female depression in addition to loss of her sexual desire. When an SSRI drug is used, it will not only inadequately treat her depression, but will hinder her ability and willingness to do the difficult mental work that is necessary to repair that relationship. If this is the root of the correlation between loss of sexual desire and SSRI medication, it becomes apparent that SSRI's have no place in the treatment of depression with a concurrent loss of sexual desire.
Loss of female sexual desire is in most cases a symptom of a troubled relationship. Women on SSRI antidepressants who suffer from depression and loss of sexual desire should consider carefully discontinuing their medication, while simultaneously enrolling in relationship therapy. This course of action will give her the highest chance of both relieving her depression and restoring her sexual desire. Drugs that are purported to stimulate sexual desire in women will at best mask the underlying cause of the problem, making them a problematic solution to the problem of HSDD.
Dr. Shaw is a practicing Obstetrician and Gynecologist who has developed a program with insights and treatment options for couples who suffer from loss of female sexual desire and male sexual satisfaction. http://fhsdd.com/ Empathic Therapy Center Offering Founding Memberships! Empathic Therapy Founding Memberships are now available and offer enrollment through December 2011. With each new membership we are offering a free autographed copy of Medication Madness: The Role of Psychiatric Drugs in Cases of Violence, Suicide and Crime. This is Peter Breggin, MD's latest best selling book containing vital information about the hazards of psychiatric drugs, how they impact a person's life and judgement, the new scientific concept of medication spellbinding, and information on how to carefully taper off psychiatric drugs.
In addition to the signed book, membership provides you with a $10 discount on the upcoming Empathic Therapy Center's international conference, April 2011. The Empathic Therapy Conference is really shaping up with exciting, new speakers from specialized therapy fields who will be offering inspiring and informative talks and workshops. Come to our website and join the Empathic Therapy Center! http://www.empathictherapy.org
Note that Dr. Peter Breggin's Empathic Therapy Center is not affiliated with the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology and Dr. Peter Breggin will not be participating in the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology conferences. Warning! Most psychiatric drugs can cause withdrawal reactions, sometimes including life-threatening emotional and physical withdrawal problems. In short, it is not only dangerous to start taking psychiatric drugs, it can also be dangerous to stop them. Withdrawal from psychiatric drugs should be done carefully under experienced clinical supervision. Methods for safely withdrawing from psychiatric drugs are discussed in Dr. Peter Breggin's books, Brain-Disabling Treatments in Psychiatry: Drugs, Electroshock and the Psychopharmaceutical Complex (New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2008) and Medication Madness: The Role of Psychiatric Drugs in Cases of Violence, Suicide and Crime (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2008). Empathic Therapy Center is not affiliated with Copyright 2010 Peter R. Breggin, MD Empathic Therapy c/o Peter R. Breggin, MD 101 East State St. #112 Ithaca, NY 14850 607 272-5328 | ||||
