Chemical Imbalance Theory Of Mental Disorders Criticized
I suspect a few of you are aware of a multi-part series on the MOTHERS Act and what some see as disease mongering by Evelyn Pringle at naturalnews.com. What jumped out at me had little to do wit the Act and everything to do with the chemical imbalance hypothesis of mental illness:
“Dr David Stein, a professor of psychology and criminal justice at Virginia State University, and author of, ‘Unraveling the ADD/ADHD Fiasco,’ has taught psychopharmacology for 25 years. One of the greatest myths about mental disorders, is that they are caused by a chemical imbalance, he says.
“‘The myth is founded on some of the tricks that are pulled in so-called scientific research in psychology and psychiatry,’ he explains.
“‘The manipulation of research has become one of the most powerful and most unethical marketing tools ever devised,’ he says. ‘Not one study can be replicated at the testing labs of hospitals or by laboratories involved in clinical patient care.’
“‘Replication is a basic step for all sciences,’ Dr Stein explains.”
So here we have yet another expert claiming that the serotonin hypothesis of depression–the main chemical imbalance theory out there–is bunk and cannot be replicated, which is basic to proving something as sound science.
I wonder why more Americans–and more doctors–are not aware of this kind of this. I wonder how pharma companies can continue to get away with running ads touting the chemical imbalance theory.
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