While each of these cases likely has differences, they bear enough similarities that I hope someone at the VA or Department of Defense is looking into these and other cases and trying to figure out what is going on.
Why they don't pay any attentions to these similarities?
Yups! I'm wrong.
They do worse. They explain these similarities with so many different theories that it's almost impossible to find the truth.

I still believe it boils down an institutional case of the emperor's new clothes. As long as psychiatry is wed to a biological/genetic causation we will continue to see these stories. These guys are so desperate to be seen as legitimate physicians that untold will be killed and maimed in the attempt.

It's like being stuck in the "Matrix": too many so dependent on the "system" that they can't see it for what it is or live without it and those who resist are hunted down and relieved of their delusions.

That cocktail included some really addictive drugs. Hello???

Btw, if you follow this story a bit you'll find an interesting relationship between neuroleptics and sudden death during sleep due to suppression of the cough reflex.

I think the military should quit using Seroquel based on these 13 unexplained deaths of young men.

Since these men were also taking Paxil or Prozac [both SSRIs] and Seroquel is half SSRI and half antipsychotic, then there is the possibility of some weird kind of 'serotonin syndrome' causing these deaths.

Until there is a full investigation of these deaths [plus further follow-up searching for more deaths with this combination of drugs], there should be a moratorium on their combined use.

I find it bitterly ironic but also incredibly symptomatic of our times that soldiers are surviving the Iraq war only to come home and die at the hands of the medical profession. Am I the only one here who is reminded of the deaths of Anna Nicole Smith, her son, and Heath Ledger when I hear these stories? This surely is some form of serotonin syndrome, not sure how many different ways it can manifest itself, but you don't give anyone an antidepressant, an antipyschotic, a hypnotic, a benzo, and a sedative and expect happy results. This is just an outrage that medical professionals are ignoring this and continuing to ply their trade as if there are no dangers whatsoever. Honestly I feel sick.

Let not forget how disability benefits play into this. You ether go along and do whatever horrible thing that the military shrinks wants to do for the latest greatest therapy/drug or you'll get bounced out mentally ill but "wanting to be" and not eligible for aid. Lets not forget the great psych disqualification(save the government and VA money ) and the spike in Vets taking their own life over loosing benefits a few years back. Its a form of blackmail to go along. Ether being lay back and be our bitch or dare to speak up and out and we'll write the notes to selectively paint a picture with choice wording that implies you aren't really mental ill and that you are doing it deliberately... So not only do you have some screwed up from war now you have someone desperate for being trapped. Being coerced into do harmful things to yourself or suffer worse doesn't lead to a healthy mental environment. One begins to wonder why don't have more violent outbursts or maybe they just don't make the news...

Heath Ledger immediately came to mind, and then I thought that, although I have been feeling very sorry for myself for the hell those shrinks put me through, maybe the fact that I'm still alive at all is very fortunate indeed, as I have been on all of those drugs and many, many more. How on EARTH can doctors not know what they're doing? I know someone who's a psychiatrist, and she said that she loses basic information when she's been studying a lot. Recent conversations with her confirm this. She is stupider than I have ever known her to be.

Sophia,
Bless you for saying: "although I have been feeling very sorry for myself for the hell those shrinks put me through, maybe the fact that I'm still alive at all is very fortunate indeed, as I have been on all of those drugs and many, many more." It helps put my experiences into a better perspective.

I nearly died from Klonopin. After that, I was totally trashed in discharge summaries. Thanks to HIPPA and computerized records, I am now stuck with these nasty preemptive entries designed to discredit me and protect the prescribing MD. My diagnosis was changed to something no one has EVER mentioned before or since. The doc who did this agreed it didn't fit me at all, changed it in pencil on the paper copy--but never changed the digital copy so it lives on. He's now working for an HMO, probably has kids to put through college.

I notice that therapyfirst seems to be having trouble with his feelings of being picked on by some posters here. Poor baby. I'll be happy to write him a discharge summary.

Perhaps instead of predigesting comments, as he's requested, Philip could instead explain to mental "health" professionals as they enter here that many of us have been badly hurt--and nearly killed or had loved ones killed--by members of their "profession". Of course, you'd have to reassure them (endlessly, I'm sure) that this doesn't reflect upon *them*, oh no, they're one of the Good Guys, because they ALL think they're the exception.

Sorry to sound so incredibly bitter about these people. I can assure you, I didn't come out of the box this way. Psychiatrists themselves are the ones who've taught me who they are.

Thanks, Sophia, for reminding me how lucky I am to be alive.
Sherry

Sherry,

Thanks for your comment. All pshrinks do indeed think they're the exception. None are.

Like a former reader, my immedate thoughts were of Heath Ledger,who was only the last famous person to go to sleep and never wake up.
But please think of this as far as mental illness goes. Soldiers receive bulk vaccines, against manufactors suggestions. I think the number could be as high as 17 at one time. Then if sent to Iraq or Iran, where temperatures are high, they drink, soft drinks that are stored in the extreamely high temperatures. We know that these high heat situations cause gas to emit from plastic bottles.
So deadly preserved additive laden foods and drink, on top of vaccines with known toxins, and we have soldiers who become very ill. Connecting the dots..
Then send them home and drug them up, on mind altering medications, and with all the psycholigical issues of having been in war and all the toxcidity.. it is yet another precription for disaster, that can and should be prevented.