"I swear the atypicals have turned out to be one of the biggest scams Big Pharma has ever pulled on Americans. They also represent a big black eye for psychiatry, which worked so hard to adopt their use and defended the drugs to the hilt."

Exactly! Anyone recently prescribed Abilify for depression as an add-on med to their med cocktail should think twice--it's only being offered as that now because it's the new campaign to push the drug's use--boldly ask your psychiatrist why it was rx'ed--and my bet is they won't have an answer.(except possibly because it's the latest "idea" (or pharma rep talk).

I did this. Before I left my psych's office after discussing in length (for months now) my grief over what happened to my daughter via the wrong dx for pediatric bipolar and the medications--here is what I asked: "What are you prescribing now for depression, and mostly to women?" (DTC ads are blatently going after women)

"Abilify, and as little as 1 mg. seems to be helping some ppl. as an add-on med."

Whatever works.

I appreciated his candid answer and willingness to have a provocative discussion; it's why I go talk to him.

From the article:
"'Any prescription is a balancing of risks and benefits. This is more information on the risks that needs to be taken into account,' [Wayne] Ray [study author] said in a telephone interview.

Risks and benefits?
BENEFITS: The physician's.
RISKS: All ours.

I wonder how many psychiatrist's would give an antipsychotic to their own child.
If one told me yes they would, I'd ask; how about for something like anxiety (only when going to school)?
I have no doubt that prescription would not be written so fast. I'd guess 90% of the time, not written at all.

When clozaril, the first 'atypical,' came out, the claims were that it was better than traditional antipsychotics (i believe the leaders at the time were prolixin and haldol) because the side effect profile was not as bad, AND because it seemed to help 'negative' (flat affect etc.) psychotic symptoms, as well as 'positive' symptoms (hearing voices, etc.). Turns out it was all just marketing hype?

Clozaril hasn't stopped my daughter from hearing voices, and the side effects are life threatening to the point by law mandatory blood tests every 2 weeks. I'd like to say these drugs were efficacious and worth their risk.........

Stephany, I have friend who's on Abilify and swears it's the best thing that's happened to her. In fact, she's become so convinced of how great it is, she's trying to get ME on it!

I think Phil is right that these medications should be reserved for those with psychotic disorders. Only then is the benefit-to-risk ratio acceptable (but not great) considering the high rate for suicide in this population. The risks are just too great for using any antipsychotic in non-psychotic patients.

RE"psychotic disorders"
We still have a problem.
Who defines psychotic disorder?
Am I having a psychotic disorder?
No/Yes ?
How do the drugs work to stop it?
How much drug do I need? Is it too much or too little?

A person who is found to have a "psychotic disorder" by one expert might be found to not have one by another. I think it is too much power for any single individual to have to be able to make a decision like that about another person's life. Maybe the person who has to incur the risk should be allowed to know ahead of time what that risk is and be allowed to decide for themself if the risk is worth whatever benefit they may get from that particular pill. And maybe they should be offered less risky alternatives first.