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PUBLIC
WARNING Drug-Induced Violence
On June 20, 2001, Texas
mother and housewife Andrea Yates filled the bath tub and drowned her five children,
ages six months to seven years. For many years, Mrs. Yates, 37, had struggled
through hospitalizations, prescribed psychiatric drugs and suicide attempts.
On March 12, 2002, the jury rejected her insanity defense and found her guilty
of capital murder.
For the legal profession
and the media, the story had been told and the case was closed. From psychiatry,
the excuses are predictable. Mrs. Yates suffered from a severe mental illness,
which was �treatment resistant,� or she was �denied appropriate and quality
mental health care.�
Unsatisfied, CCHR
Texas obtained independent medical assessments of Mrs. Yates�
medical records. Science consultant Edward G. Ezrailson, Ph.D.,
reported that the cocktail of drugs prescribed to Mrs. Yates caused
involuntary intoxication. The �overdose� of one antidepressant
and �sudden high doses� of another, �worsened her behavior,� he
said. This �led to murder.�
Author Robert Whitaker�s research found that antipsychotic drugs
temporarily dim psychosis but, in the long run, make patients
more biologically prone to it. A second paradoxical effect, one
that emerged with the more potent neuroleptics, is a side effect
called akathisia [a, without; kathisia, sitting;
an inability to keep still]. This side effect has been linked
to assaultive, violent behavior.
A 1990 study determined that 50% of all fights in a psychiatric
ward could be tied to akathisia. Patients described �violent urges
to assault anyone near.�
A 1998 British report revealed that at least 5% of SSRI (Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor antidepressant) patients suffered
�commonly recognized� side effects that included agitation, anxiety
and nervousness. Approximately 5% of the reported side effects
included aggression, hallucinations, malaise and depersonalization.
In 1995, nine Australian psychiatrists reported that patients
had slashed themselves or become preoccupied with violence while
taking SSRIs. �I didn�t want to die, I just felt like tearing
my flesh to pieces,� one patient told the psychiatrists.
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