Furious Seasons

March 14, 2008

03-14-2008 Media Madness

I know a good number of readers are on spring break this week and next, so I am just going to offer a few links to things and take the rest of the day off. Too bad it's not exactly spring in Seattle.

First, I wanted to let you all know that the winter fundraiser brought in $2,479 in reader contributions. I cannot even thank you enough for your generosity.

I finished reading Charles Barber's book Comfortably Numb last night and will have a full review of it on Monday. I'll give you my short review now, however: buy this book. I think it's the most important general interest book on mental health in America in years, possibly since Listening to Prozac itself, and was written by someone in the mental health field who clearly "gets it." You should support Barber's work.

CL Psych muses upon the media attention being lavished on the Spitzer case and wonders why the media has completely ignored the Connecticut lawsuit against Eli Lilly, especially since it's accusing the company of things like payoffs and bribes. Beyond whatever anyone makes of New York's former governor and prostitution, it's one of those times when I am a bit embarrassed by the lack of taste shown by some news organizations in covering this scandal right down to every detail of the alleged prostitute's life. It's all gotten to be a bit much.

Liz Spikol uses the new House version of the federal mental health parity bill to smartly question the medical model model of mental illness.

Here's a review of what looks to be an interesting book on mental health and women in Western culture.

Have a nice weekend and/or spring break.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at March 14, 2008 11:07 AM
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Comments

If you are wondering why the media is completely ignoring the Lilly Zyprexa case, I would say it is just a repeat of the 1990's when the Prozac Wesbecker case was running about the same time as the O.J. Simpson case. Simpson was the top story and nobody noticed the Lilly Wesbecker case.

As it turns out, O.J. Simpson was on a double dose of Prozac at the time of the murders [it is listed on www.ssristories.com - fourth down after the school shootings, the 'won' cases and the Journal Articles]. This was made known by O.J. Simpson's agent, Mike somebody, can't remember his name but it is in the media article on SSRI Stories.

The media has to play to the celebrities in order to get readers, I guess. Still, Spitzer and O.J. were only two people whereas the Lilly Wesbecker case and the Lilly Zyprexa case will effect literally millions of people.

If the Lilly Wesbecker case was THE trial of the 20th Century, the Lilly Zyprexa case is probably THE trial of the 21st Century.

Posted by: Rosie at March 14, 2008 01:38 PM

weekend music youtube request if it exists, i'm kinda like needing some Kentucky Prozac; i need 'one bourbon, one scotch and one beer'.

please!

Posted by: Stephany at March 14, 2008 02:58 PM

I admit to being delighted to see Liz Spikol thinking along these lines. Maybe it will be the first step in rethinking her reliance on so many prescription medications. She's a talented and gifted journalist and maybe her treatment is allowing her to function at a high level. But I have concerns for her long term well being.

Posted by: Sara at March 16, 2008 01:07 PM

i think that's great news about the fundraiser and i hope it keeps going. thanks for all of the hard work and long hours.

Posted by: Stephany at March 18, 2008 06:18 PM