4/9/2000
Dr. Glenmullen, I just wanted to thank you for all of the work that went into Prozac Backlash. It's going to change my life, if that doesn't sound too glorified.

I was originally put on Zoloft (started at 50 mg and now at 150 mg) approximately seven years ago. I've been on it ever since, primarily thanks to annual refills of the prescriptions by my primary care physicians. My "need" for the drug was characterized as being akin to a diabetic's need for additional insulin, that my body couldn't produce all the serotonin it needed to deal with stress.

While I was in therapy initially, I've been away from it for four years now (the counselor felt that, with the support of the Zoloft, I no longer needed therapy).

I now know that I was going through a painful adjustment as I realized that my biological clock was going off, and I would never have the children I had always wanted. I've come to terms with that fact on my own, and while it still hurts, I can handle it.

Your book has already given me the impetus and support to reduce my daily dosage to 100 mg. With both alarm and relief, I recognize several of the side effect symptoms -- the jaw clenching and motor difficulties, primarily, with some "electrical" surges. I've tried to reduce my dosage once before, and experienced some of the symptoms you describe (fuzzy thinking, panic attacks), but now that I know what's going on, I'm determined to get off the drug by slowly reducing the dosage. If the true depression returns again, I'd much rather return to therapy than drugs. While I'm "between" primary doctors at the moment, having recently moved, I will make this issue a primary condition of my choice.

Your book has not only informed me of the dangers, but it has given me the confidence that I can do this. Thank you.

4/8/2000
I read "Prozac Backlash", and it is excellent! Shockingly readable, considering the topic. My sincerest compliments on your outstanding work.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is depressed and wants a balanced, informed point of view before starting medication-based therapy.

Personally, I have been on almost all of the SSRIs. The first time, I went to a dr. for stomach pain. With no discussion of what the drug was, what it did, why I was being given it, I was prescribed Buspar and Zoloft. I couldn't take it... the physical sensations were awful. I quit after 2 days of "therapy"... I guess it was like the old joke: "How do you cure a headache?" ... "with a punch in the stomach..."

Many other experiences you described in your book also happened to me. Rather than detail them all, because I would be going on and on for pages... my point is I wish I had known then what I know now. I was never informed of any of the less desirable aspects of these medications.

You are entirely on-the-mark.

I wish you would write a similar book on Ritalin... our school has been ramrodding me about it implicitly all year because my daughter does not pay attention in class. Although the psychologist will not come right out and say it, she has veen quite manipulative. "Studies show that kids on behavior modification alone fare worse than kids on medication alone..." the not-so-subtle implication being that not only will it work better than anything I might possibly do, it would be so much easier for all of us than teaching the kid to behave. Of course, all the data presented to me was focused on ADD and ADHD type behaviors. The school says they can't diagnose, and they can't tell you to medicate, but they don't make it easy for you not to. The details are a little different, but the story is the same... "here, take this.. it will easily solve all of your problems with now work... everyone else does it...don't you want the best for your family?" The whole thing is all so sinister.