I was wondering about this this morning while listening to the NIU news conference. We hear a lot about how these 'crazies' are off some medication or another. What I wondered was, is it the fact they've gone off the medication allowing them to return to their pre-medicated state, or that the drugs alter their mental state to such a degree that when removed they no longer have the cognitive skills necessary to function?
All my life, I have had "ups and downs" and a rather common medication helps to stabilize how I react to the world. While on this medication, things do not bother me.
Without the medication, I may get depressed and do something very stupid.
As a pilot, I am not allowed to take this medication!
So, thanks to the FAA, you will never know if this pilot may get depressed and do something very stupid.
Just like the "Gun Free Zones", the government has created a situation which is the exact opposite of what was intended.
when removed they no longer have the cognitive skills necessary to function?
I believe you've touched on a core issue that the drug
companies, along with certain elements of the medical and
psychiatric professions, do NOT want to have a discussion about... HARM.
It may just be that MANY meds have the same effect on the mind/body when used constantly as to what happens to those that must use Crack or Cocaine, or even alcohol, which is legal. Constant or extensive use, and/or sudden abstinence, tends to produce very irrational behavior.
These medications, if we are talking psychotropic drugs, cause permanent brain changes.
http://www.breggin.com/suicidalityviolence.pbreggin.2003.html
I lean towards the latter.
You will never ever get the mental health-psych industry to admit anything though.