Rise in Antidepressant Prescriptions Followed by Increase in Extreme ViolenceBy Alex Pietrowski Is there alink between psychotropics, particularly antidepressants, and shocking acts of public violence? Over the last 25 years, the market for psychotropic drugs has exploded, especially in the category of antidepressants. In the US between the years 1989 and 1992, the number of prescriptions for antidepressants increased from 2.5 million to 33.2 million. Thats an increase of 1328%. As of mid 2014, over 41 million people in the US are taking antidepressants, includingthecommon brands Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Wellbutrin, and others. Mass shootings in the US have also increased significantly, especially since the year 2000. From December 2000 to 2013, 1,043 people in the US were wounded or killed by active shooters attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area (excluding domestic violence and gang shootings). The FBI reports that between 2007 and 2013, on average there were 16.4 such shootings per year. Research continues to examine a possible link between antidepressants and violence. One study analyzed data collected by the US FDAs Adverse Event Reporting System, and it found that 1 out of 250 people taking Paxil or Prozac were involved in a violent episode, as illustrated in the supporting infographic below. Considering the number of anti-depressant prescriptions written each year, this would translate to over 150,000 drug-induced violent incidents. A TIME Magazine article, Top Ten Drugs Linked to Violence, references a study that identified which drugs are most commonly linked to violence, once again based on the FDAs Adverse Event Reporting System. Five of the top ten drugs linked to violent acts were antidepressants. Regulatory agencies have confirmed that antidepressants can have dangerous side-effects. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights, a non-profit mental health watchdog, compiled a list of warnings issued by regulatory drug agencies around the globe regarding antidepressant drugs. The warnings linked to violence include: Another regulatory group, the US FDAs MedWatch system, has reported 14,773 instances of psychiatric drugs causing violent side effects during the period of 2004 to 2012, with the top side effects being aggression, mania and homicidal ideation. The FDA estimates that less than 1% of all serious events are reported. For many, this is sufficient proof that psychiatric drugs are linked to acts of senseless violence, even though there has yet to be a genuineinvestigation into the issue. The role of Big Pharma in the proliferation of psychotropic drugs is an important factor here. In those pivotal growth years of the 1990s, the US pharmaceutical industry increased its spending on direct-to-customer advertising 20-fold, up to $1.3 billion annually by 1998. Lets not pretend that Big Pharma is trying to cure depression; these companies are in the business of creating life-long customers. Furthermore, from 1998 to 2014, Big Pharma spent nearly $2.9 billion on lobbying in the US more than any other industry. Pharmaceutical companies also doled out more than $15 million in contributions to political campaigns from 2013 to 2014. The public has been petitioning since 1991 for stronger oversight over antidepressants, including a plea to take drugs like Prozac off the market due to their dangerous side-effects. Is the overall approach towards mental health taken by the modern medical establishment flawed? Have we created a society where we place too much value on outer appearance and possessions, while forgetting to the importance of inner reflection and mental stability? Or is there a bigger plan in place to use mainstream media and toxic medical miracles to numb the human psyche so that we come to lack the compassion and empathy required to maintain a peaceful society, and look to authority for protection? Share with us your thoughts. Sources: Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and an avid student of Yoga and life. If you would look around the world and you have any spiritually interest in understanding it from this view, the power of control of this world is Satan and his demons. I know most people dont believe in evil spirits but what else could be responsible for making people do this kind of stupidity and murders and all the other crimes being committed. Mankind is totally corrupt, but its beyond his control and Satan is an evil existent whether people believe in him or not. What is CERN getting ready to unleash this month when they open a porthole to bring in some of these demons from the bottomless pit? God only Knows! I appreciate your view. I also think that there is an underlying cause that better explains what we see happening in the world today. I think that, aside from satan and his demons, that man left to indulge in himself, without restraint, has reached the bottom of the barrel and are led to do all kinds of strange things to accomplish whatever he/she may desire. Its interesting to note that children are not the only ones taking these meds. Also to note that these meds are being sought after and prescribed due to an apparent underlying problem that people have in their lives. The result People+Problem+meds=more problems. I have 2 friends that tried to kill themselves on the same night on anti depressants and several incidents in the past seeing people do things they normally wouldnt do on these drugs. The police must go crazy responding to these calls. I guess the psyops are working.they must be so proud of themselves. 