I knew that attachment parenting was horrible but I had no idea just how horrible it was. I feel very sorry for women who get duped into this insanity that makes other people rich and their own lives very poor. But I’m even more sorry for the children who spend a lifetime paying for this horror.
People who subject themselves to a lifetime of disgusting anti-depressants instead of treating the cause of their problem once and for all mystify me. As you can see from this post, they are well aware that anti-depressants do not work and will never cure them. Yet they keep repeating the insane mantra of chemical imbalances in the brain. What is it, immaturity or masochism?
This is why I think living in San Francisco is insane.
Putin and Obama connect over hatred of Chechens.
On the wild side of food in Montreal.
An idiot criticizes the stupidity of others: “A feminist will never see sexual violence against a man or boy as wrong, let alone as anywhere near as important as sexual violence against females, because their ideology states that “Patriarchy” makes only men rape only women in order for men to oppress women.” I’m a feminist and I do see sexual violence against men and boys as wrong and as just as important as sexual violence against women. I also don’t believe that “Patriarchy” makes anybody rape anybody else. Of course, this sad loser will not hear this because he only hears the voices in his head. Why he insists on calling these voices “feminists” remains a mystery for his psychiatrist to solve. And now please observe him leave a comment to this post, repeating like a brain-dead parrot that he is that “feminists will never see sexual violence, etc., etc.”
I never knew when I subscribed to The Smithsonian that I will read endless articles proving the painfully obvious: “It’s often believed that nobody can recognize a baby’s cry as accurately as his or her mother, but a study published today in Nature Communications by a team of French scientists led by Erik Gustafsson of the University de Saint-Etienne found that fathers can do it equally well—if they spend as much time with their offspring as mothers do.” Notice the coy “it is often believed.” One can have endless material for article if one says something patently ridiculous, attributes it some mysterious passive source, and then debates with that hidden source passionately. Of course, fathers can do it equally well. It isn’t like mothers hear with their vaginas, do they?
I was going to read the Loners’ Manifesto, but after this quote from it, I realized the book is stupid: “The premise, the presumption implicit in any crowd, from concert hall to kaffee klatsch to office party, that shared experiences are the only ones that count. The only experiences toward which everyone aspires. The only real ones… proved — what? That anything worth doing is not done alone.” When people begin with listing “presumptions implicit in crowds” (???), I know that nothing but arrant idiocy will ensue. These “presumptions” belong to the author himself. He is the one who thinks shared experiences are superior to the solitary ones. It is a waste of time to read a book whose author is too weak and dishonest to acknowledge his own prejudices and , instead, ascribes them to unsuspecting crowds.
Wikipedia is stupid and sexist.
A very good post on rape apologism. If you are looking for intelligent feminist blogs, I once again recommend this one. Just compare it to this completely ridiculous post on the same subject.
In Australia universities permit gender segregation and Australian “academics” don’t seem to have much to say about treating women like inferior creatures. Shame on you, Australia.
And the post of the week is a response to a post of mine. Thank you, Roberto!
Clarissa's Blog 
Yeah….the people taking medication. I have my suspicion that it’s down to having been imbued with a philosophy of life wherein anything negative that happens to you is seen as material to be discarded and/or disowned. Actually, that’s like requiring that one have nothing in one’s diet that forms roughage. One insists on tasting only that which seems good to the palate. It has to taste sweet and smooth and go down easily. Only, what tastes sweet and smooth and goes down easily leads to diabetes. So one takes medication in order to keep the diabetes under control. Having convinced oneself that one has one’s bodily machine in order, one then ventures forth to the chocolate factory for a gigantic binge. One believes oneself preserved and protected from any harm afflicted by one’s tastes and actions.
I think people need to redevelop a taste for roughage if they don’t want to become depressed. Enough difficulty and challenge mixed with the sweeter flavors of life can actually prevent one from sinking into depression. If one has a problem that one simply has to solve, one will not experience overwhelming depression.
People are cynical about this fact, because they think it’s just a way of lying to them and sugar-coating negativity. The problem is their philosophy of life is so cynical and to this extent so negative, they can’t understand what is being said.
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People often ask me if I’d say the same about diabetes. Yes, I absolutely would. My grandfather who was a doctor had diabetes . He lived a full life and died at the age of 82. And he managed his diabetes without drugs. He never created any drama around diabetes and barely even mentioned it.
I once met a guy my age who also had diabetes. His diabetes was the axis of his identity. He didn’t work, lived with his mother, had no personal life, and only talked about being disabled and victimized by society.
Both these men chose to relate to the same illness in wildly different ways.
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Nobody’s perfect and we all have different health foibles. Our bodily weaknesses can be instructive in all sorts of ways. To have a weakness could be very useful indeed — like the proverbial canary in the mine, it could give you all sorts of warnings. For instance, today’s society has, as we have considered, a lot of narcissistic people in the workplace, making it toxic for everyone. Now, I was one of the people that succumbed to their pressures. My digestive system broke down. I would say this is a sign that has meaning beyond myself. It implies toxicity of a more general sort and my bodily reactions were indicative of just how toxic that workplace was.
Had I chosen not to remain alert as to the broader implications of remaining in a toxic workplace, I would not have changed my lifestyle for a much healthier option. I could have stayed in such a place, and read everything in terms of myself: “I should try harder…I should medicate myself so I don’t feel anything…I should submit more…” Instead I made the judgment that the issue was bigger than I. It was social.
Imagine, now, if more people would refuse to put up with sub-par treatment. Instead of medicating themselves (the tendency of liberals) or blaming themselves (the tendency of rightists), they could take action. Others would surely benefit from their ability to take action, as the abusive treatment would become less acceptable, less normalized, the more people refuse to accept it.
But people want to take what seems to be the easiest option, so they choose not to feel, choose not to see, choose not to reflect and experience. This means that the legacy of the abusive workplace is passed down to the next generation to try to solve.
On the other hand, if one listens to one’s body, one might learn to refuse bad treatment, poor food, contaminated water, and a host of other negative qualities in the environment. After a while, things may start to change.
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“My digestive system broke down. I would say this is a sign that has meaning beyond myself. It implies toxicity of a more general sort and my bodily reactions were indicative of just how toxic that workplace was. Had I chosen not to remain alert as to the broader implications of remaining in a toxic workplace, I would not have changed my lifestyle for a much healthier option. I could have stayed in such a place, and read everything in terms of myself: “I should try harder…I should medicate myself so I don’t feel anything…I should submit more…” Instead I made the judgment that the issue was bigger than I. It was social.”
– This is exactly what I suggest everybody do when they start getting sick, especially when we are talking about chronic illnesses. When the body starts to break down in this way, it means it is signalling that something is wrong. This something needs to be found and changed or avoided. It might be a certain situation, a certain work environment (as in your case), the company of certain people, etc. But ignoring the issue – irrespective of how convenient it is – is always, always a mistake. So it’s great that you found the cause and got out of that place.
“But people want to take what seems to be the easiest option, so they choose not to feel, choose not to see, choose not to reflect and experience. This means that the legacy of the abusive workplace is passed down to the next generation to try to solve.”
– Exactly! And good working environments can become abusive in a second. I have seen it happen and I’m seeing it happen. Is it normal that I had a dream of being bullied and abused in the workplace tonight? Is it normal that even when I’m asleep, I perceive this as a place of danger? Should I dismiss this as a meaningless dream and sit here waiting for more dramatic symptoms?
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That is Nietzsche’s method. “The body is a great sage”. But these days people get angry if you look too deeply. They feel implicated — and probably they are, by their passivity if nothing else.
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It is odd that medication is viewed as stigmatizing. Medication either works or doesn’t work for an individual. A disease may be managed by lifestyle changes alone, medication alone, or some combination. If your pancreas just isn’t up to the task, help it out, already! If that means medication, take the medication and start working on the exercise and diet. If the exercise and diet result in being able to go off medication, good. If not, still good – you are in shape and eating well. If anti-depressants enable an individual to take the initiative in dealing with life’s problems, then that person should accept that medical assistance and not whinge about it being “unnatural”.
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“If anti-depressants enable an individual to take the initiative in dealing with life’s problems, then that person should accept that medical assistance and not whinge about it being “unnatural”.’
– This is precisely the lie that pharmaceutical companies have sold to people. Anti-depressants don’t help to deal with problems. They anesthetize the part of one’s individuality that is hurting. According to your logic, the best way to take initiative in dealing with problems is to undergo lobotomy. I mean, why stop half-way when you can go all the way?
And we haven’t even started talking about the horrible side effects of these drugs. Yes, give yourself more problems to help you deal with the ones you already have.
Consumerism rules.
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For what it’s worth, anesthetizing the hurt does give one a bit more breathing space when it comes to fixing the damage. There comes a point where the pain begins thwarting one’s attempts at self-analysis and the drugs can help give some precious distance from it, so one can begin to figure out what the actual source of the pain is and how can it be fixed.
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Some side effects of Prozac may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.
For the Consumer
Applies to fluoxetine: oral capsule, oral delayed release capsule, oral solution, oral tablet
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking fluoxetine (the active ingredient contained in Prozac) skin rash or hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling unsteady, loss of coordination;
headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops; or
severe skin reaction — fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects of fluoxetine may include:
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous;
mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation;
increased appetite, weight changes;
sleep problems (insomnia);
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or
dry mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Gastrointestinal
A study of 26,005 antidepressant users has reported 3.6 times more upper GI bleeding episodes with the use of SSRIs relative to the population who did not receive antidepressant medications. Upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding was observed in 3.9 times more frequently in patients receiving fluoxetine (the active ingredient contained in Prozac) (Although these studies focused on upper gastrointestinal bleeding, there is reason to believe that bleeding at other sites may also be potentiated.)
Gastrointestinal side effects have frequently included nausea (15% to 21%) and diarrhea (12%). Dry mouth, constipation, dyspepsia, stomatitis, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding have also been reported.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects including headache, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, sedation, tremor, dizziness, jitteriness, and fatigue have all been reported. The reported incidence of each of these effects ranges between 4% and 20% of treated patients. Cases of akathisia, neuromuscular twitching, tics, myoclonus, migraines, sleep abnormalities, dyskinesia, acute dystonic reactions, worsening of Parkinson’s disease, seizures, stuttering, paresthesias, and cognitive dysfunction have also been reported. Balance disorder and bruxism have also been reported. Postmarketing experience has included memory impairment.
Cases of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome occurring in patients started on fluoxetine have been reported.
One retrospective study of 23 outpatients with Parkinson’s disease treated with 40 mg of fluoxetine a day reported that three patients experienced worsening of parkinsonism, two patients experienced improvement of parkinsonism, and 18 patients experienced no change. Another small study reported a series of four patients who experienced worsening of parkinsonism during treatment with fluoxetine.
A number of case reports have implicated fluoxetine in causing seizures. The manufacturer reports that, during premarketing testing, 12 out of 6000 patients experienced convulsions.
A case of dose-dependent exacerbation of preexisting, mild restless legs syndrome (which ultimately required discontinuation of fluoxetine) has been reported.
Nearly all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mixed serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants cause sleep abnormalities to some extent. These antidepressants have marked dose-dependent effects on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, causing reductions in the overall amount of REM sleep over the night and delays the first entry into REM sleep (increased REM sleep onset latency (ROL)), both in healthy subjects and depressed patients. The antidepressants that increase serotonin function appear to have the greatest effect on REM sleep. The reduction in REM sleep is greatest early in treatment, but gradually returns towards baseline during long-term therapy; however, ROL remains long. Following discontinuation of therapy the amount of REM sleep tends to rebound. Some of these drugs (i.e., bupropion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, trazodone, trimipramine) appear to have a modest or minimal effect on REM sleep.
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Oh, wow, yes, the long list of bodily dyfunctions that will probably result from throwing its chemistry off-balance. I’m sure that gives one peace of mind. Or maybe trusting in authorities is what reassures one.
As regard the need to take the pressure off in the immediate aftermath of some kind of trauma, I agree that this is useful. The body often has its own means for assisting this. Mentally, we dissociate. After that, it is important to pull the pieces back together again, or we can remain prone to developing dissociative states. The healing process is very important. It can be prolonged. It’s probably better to have a prolonged healing process, since it is an enjoyable journey, and there are windows that open into the subconscious during this time that one would not normally have. One can effectively see into oneself, with a bit of practice, and by looking in, one can alter what one sees there. For instance, when I looked into me, I saw that I was emotionally repressed to the extent that my only reference point in life was “duty”. Now I have changed that and life is very good. The shamanic wound is very useful and interesting for self-development. I’m not just saying this.
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It’s like my friend who got impotent because of his anti-deressant. This made him so sad he needed a second anti-depressant. The two drugs made him sleepless so he needed a sleep remedy. Which made him listless and drowsy, so he needed another med to manage that.
He said he really missed the time he was a heroin addict because then it was just one substance he was on.
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Yes, all these “imbalances” he had, albeit in potential form! The human body comprises a whirling potential of massive and multiple imbalances. Let us prop it up in multiple directions like very bad engineers would.
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There was an old lady who swallowed a fly
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a spider,
That wriggled and wiggled and tiggled inside her;
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a bird;
How absurd to swallow a bird.
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a cat;
Fancy that to swallow a cat!
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady that swallowed a dog;
What a hog, to swallow a dog;
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a cow,
I don’t know how she swallowed a cow;
She swallowed the cow to catch the dog,
She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
She swallowed the spider to catch the fly;
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly – Perhaps she’ll die!
There was an old lady who swallowed a horse…
She’s dead, of course!
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With the exception of nausea, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, diarrhea, dry mouth, somnolence, dizziness and tremor, all those are side effects less than 1 percent of patients experience. Many of those are stuff that less than 1 in 1000 or even 10000 patients experience, and when you see “cases of X have been reported” that means X happened in a couple patients, we’re not sure if it’s related since it happened too rarely to show up in a less than 100 000-patients study but we’ll put it on the side effects list anyway to cover our asses in case we get sued. So’s the “this is not a complete list of side effects” bit – it’s legalese boilerplate that essentially means “if you have some one-in-a-million side effect that we don’t know about because it didn’t show up in any of our studies, don’t add our neglect to inform you of it on the list of stuff you sue us for”. I do understand the need to cover one’s ass in case one gets sued, but I do wish America would follow the EU’s example and also put in the likelihood of said symptoms happening. The way that list looks now it hides more than it shows.
This being said, these are by no means entirely safe drugs. Just not as unsafe as that list makes them look.
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Every study conducted independently of pharmacy companies shows that when societies become engulfed with anti-depressanr craze, suicide begins to soar. I will have an article about it up soon.
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“It is odd that medication is viewed as stigmatizing. ”
– And also, please, let’s stop with this lies about stigmatization. No such stigmatization exists. This is a country where people pop pills like it’s the entire point of existence. And the only people who are stigmatized are the ones who question the belief that people can’t go through life while being unmedicated.
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I liked when Amanda wrote about another aspect of benefits to anti-choicers of limiting birth control access and abortion rights: to limit socio-economic mobility of lower classes.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/30/another-reminder-that-the-anti-choice-movement-is-class-warfare/
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