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Dr. Peter Breggin’s Scientific Papers

Since 1962, Dr. Breggin has published dozens of scientific papers in the peer-reviewed literature. Those papers along with a few popular articles are archived here and sorted into related topics. Click on these topic headings to access the collection of related papers.
 

Scientific Papers

This collection contains most of Dr. Breggin’s scientific articles spanning 1964 to the present.

 

Psychology, Life, and Overcoming Negative Emotions

Dr. Breggin has been developing a new approach to understanding and overcoming guilt, shame and anxiety, which he sees as the root of most of what becomes labeled “emotional problems” and “mental illness.” His most recent book, Guilt, Shame and Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming Negative Emotions, represents the culmination of this work in psychology. Background studies and a comprehensive synopsis of his groundbreaking thesis are found in the collection.

 

Freedom or Coercion

This collection of papers makes available Dr. Breggin’s earliest papers on freedom and psychiatric coercion. It is suggested that the reader take a close look at his seminal 1993 paper on the role of psychiatry in the Holocaust 1993 published in the International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, which concludes with a systematic look at the inherently oppressive principles of genetic and biological psychiatry. The paper was delivered in Germany at the first-ever conference on Medicine in the Third Reich.

 

Psychiatric Medications by Class

SSRIs and Other Antidepressants
Prozac®, Zoloft®, Paxil®, Luvox®, Celexa®, Effexor®, Wellbutrin®, and other antidepressants.

Stimulants and ADHD
Ritalin®, Concerta® Adderall®, amphetamines and other stimulant medications

Neuroleptics or Antipsychotic Drugs
Thorazine®, Trilafon®, Zyprexa®, Risperdal®, Geodon®, Seroquel®, Abilify®, and other antipsychotic medications

Benzodiazapines or tranquilizers & sleeping pills
Xanax®, Valium®, Ativan®, Klonopin® and other sedative drugs

 

Frequently Read Articles

Dr. Breggin’s latest scientific book, Brain-Disabling Treatments in Psychiatry, covers and updates all of the material in these articles with the latest scientific documentation. His newest popular book, Medication Madness, covers similar material with an emphasis on dramatic real-life illustrations of people emotionally injured or destroyed by medications, based entirely on cases Dr. Breggin personally evaluated in his clinical and medical-legal practice.

 

Children

Dr. Breggin continues to devote a considerable amount of time and energy to stopping the psychiatric drugging of children and to offering better alternatives through improved family life, education, and community. He critiques the medication and diagnosing of children (most especially the diagnosing of ADHD) and offers better approaches in many of his books, including Brain-Disabling Treatments in Psychiatry (2008), the Ritalin Fact Book (2002), Talking Back to Ritalin (revised, 2001), and the Antidepressant Fact Book (2000). Reclaiming Our Children starts with an analysis of what happened surrounding the mass murders at Columbine High School and then looks toward solutions within the family, schools and community.

 

Electroshock (ECT)

Electroshock treatment (ECT) was developed in 1938 at a time that lobotomy and insulin coma therapy were already in use. Pioneer advocates of ECT openly admitted that it caused irreversible brain damage. In 1979 Dr. Breggin published the first medical book critical of ECT, Electroshock: Its Brain-Disabling Effects (New York: Springer Publishing Company). Dr. Breggin has advocated the banning of ECT, but it continues to be used extensively in most psychiatric facilities.

 

Lobotomy and Psychosurgery

During the 1970s Dr. Breggin began his reform work by organizing an international campaign to stop the resurgence of lobotomy and other psychosurgery. For a period of several years, most of his time was spent on this campaign, which led to the creation of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology. The best summary of this effort can be found in his book, co-authored with Ginger Breggin, The War Against Children of Color.

 

Psychiatry, Racism, Coercion and Social Control

The War Against Children of Color by Peter and Ginger Breggin deals extensively with the larger subject of psychiatric oppression, including racism and the role of psychiatry in the holocaust. Under Special Topics, the section on Psychiatry and Racial Politics contains a detailed description of Dr. & Mrs. Breggin’s efforts to stop racist programs in psychiatry.

 

The FDA: Articles, Critiques and Presentations

Dr. Breggin’s work has helped to change the contents of numerous FDA-approved labels for psychiatric drugs, including the neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs and the newer antidepressants. This collection makes available some of Dr. Breggin’s articles about recent label changes for the antidepressants, as well his critiques and presentations to the FDA.

 

Letters to the Editor

Letters to editors of popular media written by Dr. Breggin.