It really is a damn shame that those in a position of influence to really make a difference in how psychiatry is practiced as simply blind to the fact that perhaps their way of doing it is not the ideal way, and better ways exist that should be pursued. I mean, granted the media likely did sensationalize and distort some facts, because that is what it does, but the core truth that biological psychiatry is tainted by drug companies is undeniable and should be a huge wake up call amongst us psychiatrists.

Well, when Biederman brainwashes (oops I mean teaches)people like this, they become doctors who believe --"that Senator Grassley who told AIG executives to suicide, is the man who spent the last year or so attacking my teacher, Dr. Biederman." -Dr.Bremer
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I find it interesting that one can challenge a federal investigation, but then in the post I linked to above, the author/doctor also says:

"The residents learned from his unrelentingly strong opinions. Dr. Biederman would scold us if we were not aggressive in our treatment of children."

So, they think it's a witchhunt? make it a quest for truth hunt.

"It really is a damn shame that those in a position of influence to really make a difference in how psychiatry is practiced as simply blind to the fact that perhaps their way of doing it is not the ideal way, and better ways exist that should be pursued."

Really? like there could be a better treatment for depression other than ECT?

anonymous:

Just because ECT is the most effective treatment we have for severe depression does not mean that it should always be used, especially given its significant side effects secondary to the ECT itself and anaesthesia. So, in most situations, psychotherapy and/or medications are sufficient for treatment, and ECT should be reserved for treatment-resistant forms of depression or immediately life-threatening situations.

ECT is not a treatment Dr Guller, and this thread isn't about ECT anyhow..

Back to the topic.
I find it interesting that these psychiatrists are having their conference in Monaco... and they say that psychiatrists aren't interested in prestige and money?..
Monaco is the epitome of that kind of thing, it's a tax haven for the rich and famous.
Must be a handy job being a psychiatrist, nice hotels and paid for conferences in opulent surroundings. Exploitation of the human condition is most certainly "recession-proof" it seems...

truthman30:

I didn't bring up ECT. Someone else did. So, no need to blame me. :)

I thought the big money makers from Wall St. were trying to go low profile on the fancy jet, fancy resort sort of thing during this economic Depression. In a profession where there is real suffering AND real suffering is caused by the actual treatment... Guess this doesn't pertain when pharm. is probably footing the bill to Monaco. While meanwhile people who are homeless and schizophrenic die on the street....seems to me that if one's profession is "psychiatry" that this should include a sense of ethics, morality, real science,doing NO HARM, but rather helping in a humane way. I'm still waiting, but my sense of any real justice ebbs away day by day. I see no humility, no turning away from taint; only entitlement in action by the academic medicine stars - emulated by most of their "lessors" in this pecking order. Same behavior pretty evident in most of government. Someone feel free to correct me if he or she thinks me wrong.

And just a fact check: Are we sure this Witches Meeting isn't taking place on Halloween?

I think Stephany's idea is a good one: Make the hunt "a quest for truth."

The conference program topic that caught my attention was “Cox2 inhibitors in mood disorders.”

I found a few relevant studies in the PubMed database.

A study of rodents conducted by Bosettia et al. (2002) hinted that COX-2 inhibitors might be beneficial in the treatment of bipolar disorder [http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v7/n8/pdf/4001111a.pdf].

Nery et al. (2008) found that adjunctive treatment with celecoxib (400 mg/day) MIGHT produce a rapid-onset antidepressant effect during the first week of treatment for bipolar disorder (big deal) [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117877700/abstract].

Switching to a different medical specialty area, the PRECISION study is currently underway to test the safety of celecoxib in the treatment of arthritic pain. Some scientists say they already know the answer to this question, and they are wondering why Pfizer is spending so much money on the study. Look here: http://www.publicintegrity.org/articles/entry/1203/

Maybe Pfizer is hoping the study will pave the way for a new indication, like bipolar disorder.

However one might need to take Nexium with celecoxib to prevent stomach ulcers.

For the drug companies, that would be "a soothing message indeed." Look here: http://www.forbes.com/2003/10/15/cx_mh_1015pfe.html?feed=rss_tickers#

Finally, the principal investigator said at the beginning of the study that participants would be given the 200 mg once daily dose of celecoxib, presumably for safety reasons which are described in this Medscape article: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/572407

However participants ended up receiving up to 200 mg of celecoxib twice daily, with close to a twofold risk of adverse cardiovascular events (as described in the Medscape article). Read more about the PRECISION study here: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00346216?term=NCT00346216&rank=1

Cry me a river.

Diana Krall: Cry me a river...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9y1vGxPVAA

I found a few relevant studies in the PubMed database.

Great. The natives have discovered PubMed.

Psychiatry is a lot like the Salem Witch Hunts with Biderman and Cotton Mather not at all unalike. Mather also had an irrational fear of persecution. And there's the witch test, if you throw a suspected witch in the water and she drowns, she's not a witch, if she doesn't, she is. Of course it's a test impossible to pass so simply being identified for the test dooms one, kind of like a child who Biderman decides by virtue of the fact that his parents made an appointment for an eval is bipolar. If the kid thinks he's not crazy, agnosia, proof of illness, if he thinks he's crazy, proof he's crazy.

These guys, being irrational, would perceive any attack against them as irrational and invalid, a symptom, not an inquiry. Mass Hysteria.

Native (noun): one born or reared in a particular place. Source: Merriam-Webster Online.

What is the opposite of native? Adventive, strange, unnaturalized,...

David B.

I was using PubMed before you were born. ;-)

Since Monaco isn't too far away from Somalia, maybe we will get lucky and pirates will kidnap the whole bunch of creepy Pharma Ho's and hold them for ransom. And nobody pays!!!!

I'm jealous!
These people will be payed to visit Monaco at the Hotel Fairmont?

"A spectacular waterfront location is the setting for the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Leave the world behind and treat yourself to world-class shopping, International cuisine or simply relaxing by the pool. We offer the perfect retreat for both work and play."

Why Lord? Why didn't I chose psychiatry?
Why?

Google "Hotel Fairmont" in Images.
You will see what a wrong choice can do to our lives.
We would not take any of these meds because we would know what would be at stake.
We would just prescribe them. Next November: Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Now I will have to wait for another lifetime.

Multiple study sites terminated in PRECISION trial...

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00346216?term=NCT00346216&rank=1

Click on "History of Changes" 4/8/09 and 5/2/09. The "Hide non-essential portions" box should be unchecked.